Well, I can honestly say that i am overwhelmed and awed at the outpouring of love, support, prayers we are experiencing. It started off this morning with a dear friend offering to buy Alyssa a laptop so we can stay in touch and update our blog with out having to wait until we are at home or whatever. We've had several visitors bring us food , cards, books, and just shower us with their support. We really felt like today was incredibly blessed and of course we all - especially Aly are glad we are home. She really doesn't want to go back to the hospital but we know it's necessary. Thank you all for your emails. We will email you all as we find the time and energy!!!! I promise. Offers of food, hay, to take care of our kids and animals just pour in and we appreciate it. We will let everyone know what and when we need something - we promise not to be so prideful and not let folks know our needs - we will! I can be brave for Alyssa and let others take care of us at the same time!
Love you all!
Deanna
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Y is for Y THIS?
Well, we spent the last 2 days in the hospital post the diagnosis given Thursday morning for Hodgekins Lymphoma. For those of you following along - yes, this post will also have to do with goats as well as the medical update for Alyssa.
We went in Thursday morning for our follow up appt. with Dr. Martin. The biopsy came back positive for Lymphoma and they sent us strait to the pediatric Oncology/Hematology dept.
We met with Dr. Butros who gave us the low down on what to expect - first thing was admission to the hospital for further tests (you'd think after the first two times I'd stop thinking our appts are going to be short and quick and that we'd be home soon - doesn't seem to be happening!)
Anyway.....after getting the lowdown on tests and stuff we were admitted to the Pediatric Special Care Unit and UNMH. WOW what a nice place - each kid has their own room and there are 4 kids to each nurse. They take super good care of their kiddos there. They began taking tests right away and I needed to run home and get some stuff for the possible 4 day stay. They did an EKG and an EchoCardioGram on her last night and then this morning she had to have a PET/CT scan. The Dr. who would put in her port (the "outlet" where they give her the chemo treatments) was out of town so they went ahead and released us for the weekend (Thank you LORD!!!!) so she will have to go back in on Monday for a pulmonary appt and then will be re-admitted in the evening to prepare for the Port implant and a Bone Marrow Biopsy.
The PET/CT scan showed that her Lymphoma is fairly localized - in her neck and upper chest which is good - we are only dealing with stage 2. The Bone Marrow Biopsy will tell if it is in her bone marrow as well or if we are only dealing with affected lymph nodes.
The Pediatric Cancer ward is full of the nicest folks. They really take incredible care of their kids - only the best. So far - we believe it. She has gotten the royal treatment. So have we. They have social workers that work on behalf of the families in ALL areas, they give support in any and all areas you need, The Dr.s and Nurses have a great teamwork process going and are very responsive and Wonderful. When Dr. Mathew released Aly tonight her said - give her a hug for me and go home!!!!!
Grandma, Dad, Grandma cipie and Auntie Geri have been awesome playing tag team care for the other kids and us. Couldn't even do it without them!!!!
NOW - a lot of you all ask us HOW can you help. Well, I know that my dear friends Tara and Linda are starting a fund for us to take care of our financial needs - medical bills etc. so if you want to talk to them - please let me know by emailing me and I'll put you in touch. I would love to have donations of SOFT cotton yarn or gift certificates to Village Wools for me to buy yarn to make some hats for the kiddos on the ward who are getting treatments. but they have to be of the softest yarn there is as these squirts have bald little heads. Our nearest roommate was a baby - probably 8-10 mo. Alyssa may have been the oldest kiddo on the ward . There are tons in between.
I MAY be putting several of my goats up for sale AFTER kidding/weaning. I cannot milk 5 goats right now so I will go down to the bare minimum. I am not out for good - we'll be back but until then I have to make sure my precious goaties are well taken care of. Right now I have a situation for a couple if I need it and then I will possibly be selling af few more as we wean and sell babies - ALL babies who aren't already spoken for will be for sale - no bucks - wethers only and of course any does above and beyond the 2 already reserved. IF you are interested please email me and I can give details - only serious inquiries please. I have asked myself Y this? Y us? Y Y Y????? But you know - the LORD is sovereign and HE never gives us more than we can handle. I am not going to sell my goats for cheap just to get them gone. I want to ensure they will be loved and well cared for if we have to sell some and my husband said we can work out the details to keep as many as possible as he thinks Alyssa and I may need the goats in the midst of this insanity. I also will be posting other items for sale too to raise some money for some different things to make our cancer treatment time bearable for all of us. IF you want to email us please do so - we love hearing from everyone and are blessed beyond imagination with all of the prayers and support!!!!! Please be patient with us as the hospital stays are making our computer time limited!!!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
Trust me when I say you all are also in our thoughts and prayers.
We went in Thursday morning for our follow up appt. with Dr. Martin. The biopsy came back positive for Lymphoma and they sent us strait to the pediatric Oncology/Hematology dept.
We met with Dr. Butros who gave us the low down on what to expect - first thing was admission to the hospital for further tests (you'd think after the first two times I'd stop thinking our appts are going to be short and quick and that we'd be home soon - doesn't seem to be happening!)
Anyway.....after getting the lowdown on tests and stuff we were admitted to the Pediatric Special Care Unit and UNMH. WOW what a nice place - each kid has their own room and there are 4 kids to each nurse. They take super good care of their kiddos there. They began taking tests right away and I needed to run home and get some stuff for the possible 4 day stay. They did an EKG and an EchoCardioGram on her last night and then this morning she had to have a PET/CT scan. The Dr. who would put in her port (the "outlet" where they give her the chemo treatments) was out of town so they went ahead and released us for the weekend (Thank you LORD!!!!) so she will have to go back in on Monday for a pulmonary appt and then will be re-admitted in the evening to prepare for the Port implant and a Bone Marrow Biopsy.
The PET/CT scan showed that her Lymphoma is fairly localized - in her neck and upper chest which is good - we are only dealing with stage 2. The Bone Marrow Biopsy will tell if it is in her bone marrow as well or if we are only dealing with affected lymph nodes.
The Pediatric Cancer ward is full of the nicest folks. They really take incredible care of their kids - only the best. So far - we believe it. She has gotten the royal treatment. So have we. They have social workers that work on behalf of the families in ALL areas, they give support in any and all areas you need, The Dr.s and Nurses have a great teamwork process going and are very responsive and Wonderful. When Dr. Mathew released Aly tonight her said - give her a hug for me and go home!!!!!
Grandma, Dad, Grandma cipie and Auntie Geri have been awesome playing tag team care for the other kids and us. Couldn't even do it without them!!!!
NOW - a lot of you all ask us HOW can you help. Well, I know that my dear friends Tara and Linda are starting a fund for us to take care of our financial needs - medical bills etc. so if you want to talk to them - please let me know by emailing me and I'll put you in touch. I would love to have donations of SOFT cotton yarn or gift certificates to Village Wools for me to buy yarn to make some hats for the kiddos on the ward who are getting treatments. but they have to be of the softest yarn there is as these squirts have bald little heads. Our nearest roommate was a baby - probably 8-10 mo. Alyssa may have been the oldest kiddo on the ward . There are tons in between.
I MAY be putting several of my goats up for sale AFTER kidding/weaning. I cannot milk 5 goats right now so I will go down to the bare minimum. I am not out for good - we'll be back but until then I have to make sure my precious goaties are well taken care of. Right now I have a situation for a couple if I need it and then I will possibly be selling af few more as we wean and sell babies - ALL babies who aren't already spoken for will be for sale - no bucks - wethers only and of course any does above and beyond the 2 already reserved. IF you are interested please email me and I can give details - only serious inquiries please. I have asked myself Y this? Y us? Y Y Y????? But you know - the LORD is sovereign and HE never gives us more than we can handle. I am not going to sell my goats for cheap just to get them gone. I want to ensure they will be loved and well cared for if we have to sell some and my husband said we can work out the details to keep as many as possible as he thinks Alyssa and I may need the goats in the midst of this insanity. I also will be posting other items for sale too to raise some money for some different things to make our cancer treatment time bearable for all of us. IF you want to email us please do so - we love hearing from everyone and are blessed beyond imagination with all of the prayers and support!!!!! Please be patient with us as the hospital stays are making our computer time limited!!!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
Trust me when I say you all are also in our thoughts and prayers.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tomorrow is the Day
Alyssa has been recovering nicely from her biopsy. She hasn't slept real well as rolling over on the right side hurts and wakes her up but she said she doesn't want to take the Tylenol or anything to help her sleep so she's gonna just deal with it. She said the incision itches like crazy - I told her that means it's healing. She said it's driving her NUTS! She has thoroughly enjoyed her "forced vacation" from school and chores (ha - her week is up and she's back to school)
Mom, Dad, Suzy and Nik are filling in on the chores - much to some of the players' chagrin!
Tomorrow is the big day - we find out exactly what we are dealing with. I think both Alyssa and I are a tad nervous. As she said yesterday "preparing for the worst - hoping for the best, praying for the best!!!!" If any of you are wondering what i'm doing BESIDES chores to fill up my time please check out the FiberPhanatic blog - link to the right. That will give you a good idea of what I'm doing!!!!!
Mom, Dad, Suzy and Nik are filling in on the chores - much to some of the players' chagrin!
Tomorrow is the big day - we find out exactly what we are dealing with. I think both Alyssa and I are a tad nervous. As she said yesterday "preparing for the worst - hoping for the best, praying for the best!!!!" If any of you are wondering what i'm doing BESIDES chores to fill up my time please check out the FiberPhanatic blog - link to the right. That will give you a good idea of what I'm doing!!!!!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
X is for X-CITED!
Today I got a call from a friend who just had her first doeling. she bought goats a few years ago, bred them and was preparing for her first kidding season and milk and was struck with tragedy - her precious goaties were killed by dogs. My heart was so broken for her and this tragedy. She wasn't sure she'd ever get goats again. Well, she called me not too long ago that she was ready to try again - Thankfully I knew someone who was selling a beautiful pregnant doe. 
And this little beauty is the results. Lila kidded today around 2pm with a HUGE single doeling - blue eyed beauty named Sapphire Storm. WELCOME back Kim and Congrats on your XCITING little blessing!Yep - I'm not the only one XCITED for this day - we are so happy for her and we think this beautiful little pair will do well for her!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Nizhoni's Joie de Vivre
Yep, Joie is holding a grudge. She doesn't like to be caught anyway so this was shear torture for her. How dare I hold her against her will and subject her to such mean things as shots and worming, trimming and photos!!!!! Poor little Joie could barely hoist her hugely preggers self up on this milk stand!!!!
AH HA - another udder beginning to develop - I couldn't get a good backside shot as she would not hold still - Dancing girl!
Funny how not big she actually looks in this picture but if I'd gotten a backside shot - WHOA nellie she's HUGE. I think we have triplets again. (Think Girls Joie!!!!!) CBF Ent's Whistling Dixie
Dixie got the mommie treatment today too - she wasn't as mad at me as Twinkle was but we found treasures today = Another nice little udder is in the making!!!!
Look at how pretty this little doe stands. OH that reminds me - I measured the girls today too and I got 18 inches for Dixie, 20 inches for Twinkle and a little over 19 inches for Joie - DON"T grow any more Twinkle!!!!!!
OH, Nice little udder bump. I cannot wait to start milking these girlie girls and see how they produce and how milkable their udders are. I forgot to get a pregnancy bump picture of Dixie but she's growing WIDER - But no one in my herd is as wide as JOIE - She's HUGE!!!!CBF Ent's Twinkle Lil Star
Today was the day we WORM, VACCINATE for CDT and BoSE, TRIM HOOVES, and TRIM UDDERS and backsides on all the girls. Poor girls didn't like all the attention they were getting today and plus - they look terrible. We are in the midst of a warm spell and by golly the girls are SHEDDING!!!! But I had work to do so I did it. LOOK the baby bump is growing on Malina (go back to P is for Pregnant Goaties post and compare!!!! )
Twinkle wasn't too happy with this day - can you tell?
OOOH, look what I found when I trimmed - a little udder!!!!! SO CUTE. I think this little missy has some nice teats though you can't really see them very well here. 
AH there they are!!! I can't wait to see what this little FF udder looks like when she's all full of milk. YIPPEE!!!!
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