I've noticed that I haven't updated the blog. I've had all these blogs floating through my head but no time to write them. So, I'll leave those thoughts for another day and just update you on the Koeman life.
Since the last post my dad and brother came to the rescue and helped put in the dog fence. Now he is safe (unless the batteries die in the collar) and, hopefully, the neighbors chickens can breath a sigh of relief.
After over an hour my dad was less than impressed with our clay ground. Not so easy to cut through. So I got to use the edger to "help." The girls were not happy with my crooked lines. I kept hearing, "grandpa does his straight." Whatever!! Uncle Brent came as well to help, he was so gracious to give all his helpers a job. Grandma was in the house occuping the twins. Also not an easy task (oh and she did laundry and cleaned up) I am SOOOOOO Thankful and Greatful for this family!!!
Harvest has wrapped up! Praise the Lord! It got quite muddy out there and there was 1 day of a grumpy farmer (which is actually really good :) The decision was made to buy tracks to get through the mud easier, and every one was happier. We do still have mud all over, the boots, the van, it just keeps popping up. All in all, with the extremely dry weather this year, it was ok. Not a "bumper crop" but not devastation either. Unfortunately Steve still has ALOT of work to do. So we ask he be home in the evening. From there he can work all he wants. The 3 older girls do well, but the twins get a little crazy with the 1 parenting. And with the older girls school and social schedules it's nice to have an extra set of hands occasionally.
This is a picture we took for Steve before Brooke had her CAT scan. It appears Brooke's head is growing faster than her body. (I told them they should measure her feet, those things are REALLY growing.) I am happy they ordered the CAT scan because it just put alot fears at rest. Steve and I always do those things together but it went fine. Steve just said he felt funny sitting in a combine when Brooke was having tests. Anyway, the tests turned out normal, for Brooke. Define: "normal." Brain growth was normal and no tumors. That's what's important to us. She did have a sinus and ear infection (which Steve and I already guessed). After a round of antibiotics we are good to go.
The same day as the CAT scan we did all the immune studies and blood work. Her growth hormone was low. Even with the growth hormone we are giving her. So we increased that dose. We have all resorted to the fact that she will be on this til she no longer needs to grow. Leah and Steve can give it as well. (Steve doesn't like to so he prefers Leah or I do it :)
Immune studies. I got all the numbers and grafts back. And there, once again, aren't any real changes. So I called the MD and said, I know the numbers, I want your GUT reaction. I want opinions, not facts. He said, since nothing has changed in approx 1 1/2 - 2 years, this just may be the immune system that works for Brooke. He stated of the other MD's he's talked to around the world, there are a few kids that do ok with this. Brooke has not gotten anything terrible and the few cells she has, react well when they test them against virus'. I said, "does she make you nervous?" (I like to know, because then I know if I should be worried) He just said, "She's done well, but you have our number if somethings not right." We did however, get her off her last medicine, Dapsone. YEAH! So she only has the growth hormone. The MD said, if she has any dry cough or irregular breathing to call him. Steve and I laugh, he means worse than she already has? We plan for the future to do pulmonary function testing, that will tell us how well her lungs actually are. But we aren't sure on the age she needs to be for that. Something else to check into.
Her body did not react to the varivax (chicken pox vaccine) given. So we will try that in a few months again. Approx 20% "normal" kids that get this vaccine don't react, so we'll just try again. They just said if she's exposed to chicken pox we need to call them right away.
Onto feeding.........I got ahold of a dietitian at Spectrum and got her the feeding logs. She called and said, "wow she's doing well, I'm so happy you don't need the intensive feeding clinic." She also said that she knows, Miss Nora, our out patient therapist, and how she likes her. It was just reaffirming we aren't making the wrong decision. Brooke is making progress. We are down to 2 feedings a day. She is trying many different foods, our problem is quantity. So my mind set for buying groceries has changed. This morning I made scrambles eggs with half and half cream and butter. It's funny to watch Steve and the girls stand in front of the fridge staring at the vitamin D milk. As I tell them, "don't you DARE touch it!" We have always been hearty eaters at the Koeman's, so I usually go for a happy medium. But now with Brooke we are going high calorie. I love cooking and baking so it works fine, but I did tell Steve I will not buy him bigger pants :) hehe
Someone, who I recently met, asked about Brooke's story. I told her the mini version and she asked, "why don't you keep her home?" She said, "I'm not sure my heart could handle taking her out." I like the questions, it's a different perspective and conversation starters. I told Steve about the conversation and he said, "we promised her a "normal" life and this is our attempt at it." I had another friend say she doesn't think of her as having anything wrong with her. That's our goal. For her just to live her life. Trust me, she fights with her sisters just like any other kid.
That's it for the Koeman's. The last pictures are of our Sunday afternoon walk. It's fun to see what the girls can find. Steve was teaching them to skip rocks. Leah had an 8+ skipper! (We are easily entertained :) Happy fall! Enjoy God's creation (and don't forget to thank Him!)
