Any Given Day

Sunday morning started out like any day - fighting to get Harper to put her clothes on, Nora to get garbage out of her mouth, all while trying to nurse Rosie and keep Scout from eating the girls' breakfast. After church we headed up to Tom's parents house for a birthday party and Harper began to complain of a headache. I told her to close her eyes and try to take a nap, but within minutes she was puking all over herself, her seat, and Tom's seat in front of her. It went on for a good five minutes, and after getting her bathed and cleaned up in Grandma and Grandpa's tub, she promptly began puking all over her clean PJ's and hair. For the next 2.5 hours she puked like clock work every 20 minutes until around 7:30pm she started having bloody diarrhea.

We were warned when the girls were diagnosed that a stomach flu in these girls could very quickly turn very dangerous - I realized we were at that point and paged her doctor. An hour later we were checking in to Mary Bridge emergency room. Harper was pale as a ghost and couldn't even sit herself up. She was continuing to convulse and puke up white foam on a regular basis, and was even more upset at the thought of a "poke" (IV). I quickly promised her a unicorn pillow pet, something she has asked for every time we step foot inside Fred Meyer. It cheered her up a bit, but needles are far from her favorite thing. Thankfully these guys really know what they're doing and the IV was in before she even knew it. Her tears quickly turned to surprised interest in "all the blood" coming out of her, and an hour later after a dose of zofran (anti-nausea) and a bag of IV fluids, she was laughing at Enchanted. Tom slipped away to feed the animals and made a stop at Fred Meyer and came back with the magical unicorn - needless to say Harper was EXTREMELY excited. "Daddy, it's what I ALWAYS, ALWAYS WANTED," repeated approximately 30 times in the next 2 minutes.

Harper's blood work showed a high white blood cell count, but normal inflammatory markers. Thankfully it was just a stomach flu and for now it looks like it didn't affect her Crohn's. It was a very scary reminder of how quickly things can get bad for these girls. On any given day, no matter how good they feel when they wake up, we could be rushing them to the ER by the afternoon. This summer we will be walking in the Seattle "Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis" fundraising walk - please consider walking with us or donating to our team. I want a cure for my girls.

Looking Forward

I'm a little late in blogging about the new year, but better late then never I guess. And since part of my New Year's resolution is to just do my best and not feel guilty about the rest, I'm just fine with being a week late.

2010 was such a roller coaster of a year. January started with Harper being the second one in our little family to be diagnosed with Crohn's and I can't believe it's already been a year. Both her and Nora have their up's and down's, but another resolution this year is to get these girls feeling GREAT. We will be making lots of big decisions in the near future about their care and treatment plans.

Also a year ago this month I came home from Costa Rica and found out I was pregnant with Rosie. I'm pretty sure I've never been so terrified in my life. I already had two very sick little girls, and the guilt about bringing another one into a world of pain was killing me. The pregnancy was really hard also, probably some of the toughest months of my life. But as soon as I held this little girl I knew with all my heart that she came right when and where she was supposed to.

Harder then my own struggles this year was watching my friends and family go through theirs. 2010 was tough, but let me tell you, these guys are TOUGHER! Two women in particular have inspired and taught me so much this year about so many things. I don't think I could ever go through what either of them have been through this year, yet through it all they are two of the sweetest and most caring and giving women I have ever known. C & M, you amaze me.

2010 taught me that MOMS ROCK!! In addition to the two awesome moms mentioned above, my mom has been quite literally a lifesaver for me. This woman works full time, is married to a bishop, has her own calling in her ward, volunteers at the temple (as shift coordinator no less), and has still driven 30 miles back and forth to my house at least once every single week since Rosie was born to help with the girls, the housework, dinner, and anything/everything else. She has listened to me cry and vent about everything (and nothing), and has come with me and helped keep me sane at the girls' doctors appointments. I don't know how I will ever repay her - except to be the best mom that I possibly can. So in 2011, THIS mom is gonna rock, too!

This year I will celebrate my 30th birthday - unlike some people, I am actually happy about this. No telling if I will still feel that way in a month when it's actually staring me in the face, but for now I am looking forward to it. And for sure I am looking forward to my 10 year anniversary in April! Rosie thwarted our big trip plans, but we forgive her :) We'll postpone to later in the year after her birthday. 2011 will also bring my little sister her first baby - and another niece or nephew for me!

So no pressure 2011, but I have high expectations...here's hoping you live up to them.