Today is a cake eating day!!!!!!!

May 11 2009
TODAY!!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: His love endures forever!" PSALM 118:29

Why would the Koeman's eat cake? Not for breakfast this time, but today is May 11. 1 year ago Miss Brooke ventured back into our home. We had the surreal experience of, after sitting in a hospital room for 5 months, driving her home. The we had the overwhelming experience of "WHAT DID WE DO? We can't take care of her!" But we did. She's been loved, nurtured, IV's, tube feedings, meds, and for the most part, she has stayed healthy. She came home barely being able to sit up, she now crawls, pulls herself up, talks, hits, bites, rides a scooter bike and has brought joy to all of our lives. And it just became our routine, not overwhelming, not exhausting, just what God called us to do. I was accused yesterday by 1 of my 5 children of not loving them because I don't break up their fights. I giggled (which didn't help her anger), but some things in life change your view. When you have ongoing thoughts that 1 of your children may never fight with the others, somethings you let go. I am a normal mom. :) Fighting children drives me nuts, but I tell them, unless there is blood or a protruding bone you will figure it out and be a better person because of it. So, I do love my children. More every day! I love following God's plan. There is such an internal peace, even though, at times, the peace is challenged with fighting children.

Obviously you want to know about Brooke's appointment. She is up to 21#. Height slightly longer (but everyone measures differently). We were informed that our "new" best friends will be the endocrine MD, Dr. Wood. The Bone marrow team said they don't want to share us but with all Brooke's issues that's where we are headed. So our next appt with Dr. Wood is to be made yet, but it'll be this summer. We also have an appt in 2 weeks with another MD. So we'll see what happens with that. Her immune system numbers are holding their own. Her feedings are going as well as can be. We have 2 MD appt's June 1, and then we will address her developmental milestones, feedings, and BMT will start to test her T cells again. So status quo until June :)

Then me....I'm good :) Pain is fine, neck is stiff. I developed a fever this weekend and I'm still not sure what that was about. But I'm feeling better. I don't see any signs of infection so it must have been a virus. I see the MD Wednesday and I'm sure they'll have the results of the lymph nodes and further plans. I plan to go back to work Thursday. We have alot of camping plans this summer so I don't want to waste my vacation time off sitting around here :) I'll let ya know what the MD says. Thanks for all the help and meals! The girls (and Steve) are excited to come home from school and see what goodies there are :) Doesn't say much for my cooking :) I have lots of coffee and M&M's. I'm waiting to use them for the energy boost.