mri

Isaiah was very brave during his MRI. He was in the tube for three hours. He woke up dizzy and tired from the anesthesia. He said he was "tippy" because he couldn't balance very well. After 2 or 3 hours he was playing again and enjoying the company of his cousins, Ravinia and Ava.

It felt like a terribly long day to us as parents. The dark drive to the hospital was quiet and foggy. I was thankful that Isaiah would only feel hungry for a short time. We left Sutter 4.5 hours after we checked in. I was so relieved when we got in the car to go home. Isaiah ate his pbnj and requested a strawberry whirl jamba juice. After stopping for juice, we drove home, built a cozy fire and cuddled on the couch.

As we fell asleep last night I was humbled by the fact that he didn't complain once about anything he had to do that morning. Amazing!

accessed sillyness

Our appointment Wednesday lasted a while and we got pretty bored. Next up: 3 hour MRI Monday morning to check on Isaiah's fractured vertebrae. He's feeling good. We're going to play Star Wars! Thanks for checking up on Isaiah!

thanksgiving 08

The kids had a GREAT time with their cousins this weekend: for the girls it was 48 hours of acting, putting on shows, laughing and secrets; for the boys it was non-stop Star Wars.



Yesterday we went to Powell's in downtown Los Gatos. Here's a post-gelato shot. Everyone was chilled!



We were especially grateful to be together this year. Last Thanksgiving landed during the 21 days when we were living apart to protect Isaiah from a possible chicken pox infection. We kept remembering back to that season (click here) and thanking God for the blessing of being together and feeling strong.





This morning Isaiah and his "best buddy cousin" Santana were on the phone discussing more Star Wars battle strategy (check out his badge!).

[Here's a pic of a lady pointing to a cute couple on the streets of Los Gatos.]

some good news

We had our regular appointment today at Sutter. Both Carmen and I went because we were anticipating a discussion with the doctor about a recent bone scan of Isaiah's back. I was, frankly, expecting hard news because I had sensed serious concern in the words and expressions of the technician who did the scan last week. And while there are still a few more tests that need to be done, and Isaiah's compression fractures are a significant and long-term issue, the GOOD NEWS is that the DEXA scan results show an increase in bone density. Maybe the broccoli and calcium supplements are paying off.

We remain very grateful for your prayers for wisdom, grace, and health. Thank you!

Here are some phone-photos of Sienna making sure Isaiah's teeth look good.

hair

We borrowed Sienna's hairbrush!


It's a 1970s throwback!

BIG hair fun!

have your cake and eat it...

The kids decorated a mini cake tonight. Mom made pumkin muffins and had leftover batter.

Isaiah had a bone scan Friday. We have a scheduled appointment Wednesday. We'll keep you posted.

Please pray for a strong back. Peace.

doing great

Sorry for the delay in updating Isaiah's blog. He did great with his fast and spinal tap last week. It's remarkable how quickly he bounces back from these things. The fasts are always challenging, but he draws great strength from knowing that others are fasting with him.

We talked several weeks ago about the role of our "will" in dealing with discomfort. I was surprised but encouraged when Isaiah repeated a phrase I used a month ago in the form of a question: as we drove to the hospital he asked me, "Dad, is your will telling your tummy, 'Sshhh!'?"

I smiled and said, "Yes! Is yours?"

He smiled back. I said, "All this fasting sure is making our wills strong!"

He said, "Ya.... but I kinda wish I could eat!"