Hospitals

Well, as many of you know- I am currently in a flare up of my Ulcerative Colitis.  I started having symptoms at the beginning of April so I contacted my gastroenterologist and I was started on 20mg of Prednisone.  I started feeling better at first but then then symptoms gradually got worse.  On Wednesday, April 28, I went to the ER for severe abdominal pain.  There I was treated for dehydration and was given IV steroids.  My oral prednisone was also increased at that time as well. 

The next day I started having uncontrollable nausea and vomiting.  I held out until Saturday, May 1, where I went back to the ER and was treated again for dehydration and was ultimately admitted to Alta View Hospital.

Date night??

Wondering why I'm taking pictures...

I had a PICC line placed Saturday, May 8 so I can receive my nutrition through it (TPN).

(Wasn't painful but I thought about it way too much and was freaking out)

This big white bag is the TPN- all the nutrients I could ever need....

More TPN

Girl's time- Kristin (at 8 months pregnant) volunteered to paint my toenails

Skyler made me a "high five."  All the nurses love it.

Flowers to brighten up my room

Another greenery to brighten the place up.

So, currently I am still at the hospital.  We have thrown many treatments my way to decrease the inflammation and are now in a waiting game.  We have seen many improvements in my labs.  My protein (Albumin) is still low but is no longer dropping, thanks to the TPN but I may need to go home with the PICC (that has not been determined yet).  My white blood cell count and platelets are continuing to go down, indicating that the inflammation is also decreasing. 

My hematocrit and hemoglobin are the labs that continue to go down, but need to go up- indicating that there is still bleeding present.  Our next plan of action for this is.... a blood transfusion.  The idea scares the crap out of me (because in this situation I'm the patient, not the nurse) but it will boost my numbers and make me feel better.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, thoughts, and concerns.  I've beat this once before, I just need to do it again!

William Lyons Buchanan 1916-2010

Jon's grandpa passed away on April 23 in his home. 

We had seen a steady decline in his health and now we can say that he his freed of his physical body and "continuing his journey."

The funeral was a very Scottish one- bagpipes, kilts, and even rainy Scotland weather.

These were the pallbearers- the oldest grandsons.

"Amazing Grace"

Andrew & Julie's baby- William Andrew Buchanan.

He spent a few days in Heaven with Grandpa B before being born on April 27.

William Andrew Buchanan April 27, 2010

Andrew & Julie's baby boy made his appearance on April 27!

Will was 6 lbs 8 oz and 19 inches long.

Julie had a quick labor and there were no complications.

Congratulations!!

More house projects!

We've been planning on replacing what little carpet was in the living room.  The rest of the downstairs is now tile.  So for Christmas we received a gift card to Lowe's (which is where we saw the floor we liked for the lowest price).  We've had the materials for a few months now but Friday, April 9th we decided to get going on this project. Jon's parents graciously offered their skills, tools, and time also.

This is before everything was moved and the carpet taken out.

No more carpet!

The next morning- Jon, Ed, and Zoe laying the padding that goes underneath the flooring.

The installation has begun!

Notice the angles at the bottom of the picture.  This was the hardest part. Cutting the tiles at angles was nothing.  Laminate flooring is another story.

Getting new baseboards was not something I anticipated when I dreamed of this project.  But the edges of the flooring is supposed to be under the baseboard so it was a must.

However, the new baseboard looks great so I'm glad we did it. (And it was a fairly easy step)

Ed is... measuring angles...?

Jon is now caulking the angle?? I don't know.  I guess projects make everyone a little looney.

Almost done!  We still need to put the t-moulding in where the tile meets the laminate flooring.  The baseboard is also being continued around the room into the dining area.  But other than that- it's pretty much done!

We had our trusty supervisors, Nike...

(who likes to walk on the new floor and make clicking noises)

& Zoe.

Julie's baby shower- 3/27/10

On Saturday, March 27, we had a baby shower for Julie (Jon's brother's wife).

She is due April 29th with a boy!! This is their first baby.

(35 weeks)

I made her a "diaper cake."  You bascially roll diapers up and put them together to look like a cake!

My mom had made one before so she had to help me.

Letters that Julie (& Andrew) made for Will's room.

The pictures on the shelf are of Andrew & Julie when they were babies. 

Debbie made the blocks in the black frame- very cute!

Blue= boy

Yummy food

More decorations- made with cupcake papers!

Door decoration- very creative!

Me and Julie... and Will :)

Our Florida Trip: March 10-15, 2010

Summer's sister-in-law, Kristin is from Florida so we decided to take a trip with them.  We got some rain and wind but other than that, the weather was good (while it snowed back home in Utah!). 

We saw the famous Suwannee River...

(The pole to the left marks the different flood levels by year)

We went to the Gatornationals at the Gainesville Raceway (which is the main reason why we made this trip)...

(Dang, that's fast!!!)

We went to Shired on the gulf....

Jon caught 2 fidler crabs...

We survived the wind there (keep in mind, it's hurricane season!)...

We met a huge cat (he weighed in at 42 lbs about 3 years ago)...

(This is Olivia doing sign language for "cat.")

We hung out with Kristin's family at their house in Old Town (where we stayed)...

But, unfortunately, our vacation had to come to an end...

These are just a few pictures that we took.  Jon had never been to Florida and it had been 6 years since Summer had been there.  We had a lot of fun and ate a ton of good food.  We hope to go back again! Hopefully sooner than later!