Update on Makenna

Makenna had her doctor's appointment today with her pediatrician. The pediatrician said rather than spend more money on tests that may or may not tell us anything, let's start treating her. She thinks one cause of her problems might be acid reflux, so she started her on Zantac and Maalox. Another problem she checked for was dehydration and said that it is possible Makenna has been chronically dehydrated. For dehydration the doctor said Makenna needs to drink at least 64 ounces of Gatorade a day and she is to take a salt pill twice a day. As for that elevated liver enzyme, the doctor said she wasn't that concerned with it because it is due to bone growth. Alkaline phosphatase is abundant in growing bones and is sometimes elevated in children that are growing.

She has been feeling a bit better today and tonight she ate a normal supper without an increase in pain.

She is planning on going to school tomorrow. I know she is worried about having to make up school work and dance practices and I really don't want her to get stressed out and make her problem worse.

I will keep you all updated and thanks again for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers.

Update on Makenna

Well, Makenna's pain has remained pretty much the same. The Phenergan and Tylenol do seem to help some. She usually has more pain after eating things like cereal and noodles. She did have an episode of lightheadedness this afternoon but I think that might be in part to not eating much.

However, about 45 minutes ago she ate soup, crackers, and toast and hasn't had increased pain. She also started playing a Wii game with Alanna and for the first time in the last few days her eyes looked brighter and she seemed to feel a little better. She certainly doesn't have all of her energy back but I did comment to Brad that this is the first time I thought she looked like she felt a little better. Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers!

I know it has been awhile since I blogged. We've been busy taking care of Makenna and trying to figure out why she has right sided abdominal pain. She started feeling sick Sunday night. She was having abdominal pain that eventually settled on her right side yesterday and hasn't really left since. We were in the ER last night from 8:30pm-1am this morning and then we went back today for a recheck on her labs. She also had an abdominal ultrasound. The only abnormal thing they found was that one of her liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, was elevated last night and this morning and they aren't sure why. They have ruled out appendicitis for now. The plan from here is for her to take off 2 more days of school to rest, take Tylenol and Phenergan for the pain, and she will see her pediatrician on Thursday. We really hope she starts to feel better soon. I will keep you all posted.

Something New

The girls were out with friends Saturday afternoon which meant Brad and I were left to occupy ourselves. So what did we do?? Went shopping, of course. We decided it was finally time to finish up our living room so we decided to go buy end tables. Well, end tables are about the only thing we didn't bring home. We ended up buying a wine rack, a tv console, a bench, lamps, and a rug. Not to worry, though, we will soon be getting 2 end table to match our wine rack and tv console soon. We were not able to order them at the furniture store yet so we went online and found them at American Furniture Warehouse in Colorado. Here are some pics of our new purchases (I know they're not the greatest quality because I have been having problems with my camera).

Curly Hair

Here are a few pics of Alanna Wednesday night after I curled her hair for dance pictures. She is wearing her hip hop outfit. Believe it or not, it took me almost 45 minutes to curl her hair. Of course, there was a ton of hair spray involved. It held pretty well for the 2 dance pictures she had that night. We had to take pictures because this is definitely not something we do on a daily basis.

Maybe You Were Wondering...

So, maybe you were wondering just how we drove Kristen and Addison to Estes Park with us. I forgot to mention that Brad traded in his red Dodge truck for a mineral gray Dodge Mega Cab the Saturday before we went to Colorado. It was a good trade and the truck is much better suited for us. The girls love it! There is so much more leg room in the back than any other vehicle we have owned and the back seats recline. We are very happy with it and hope to keep it for awhile!

Spring Break

Last week was Spring Break for the girls. I don't think they've had an entire week of school for about a month thanks to the blizzards.

Wednesday last week we drove down to Denver and stayed with Matt, Kristen and Addison. Then, on Thursday we took Addison and Kristen to Estes Park, CO where we had rented a house for three nights. It was a cute little A-frame house we stayed in. Despite the lack of cleanliness in the house when we arrived, there was not a lack of fun while we were there. Matt drove up Friday night after work. We played games, watched Madagascar 2, and we were forever on the lookout for an elk that Addie could pet.

Pictures taken on the Estes Park Loop around the lake.

Miniature golf.

Playing at the park; "shakin' it like it's hot!"

Family pics.

Brad and Kristen jumping off the swings, and then wishing they hadn't.

The girls sitting in the bear's lap; at least Addie got to pet a bear!

It was a lot of fun and we look forward to going back when we get a chance.

Visitors

Grandma Bonnie stopped by on her way home from Washington today, and she brought visitors. Cowboy, Foxy Lady, Kiara, and Ellie Mae are the 8 week old puppies she traveled with all the way from Newcastle to Washington and back. The girls are having fun playing with them. Don't worry, though, none of them will be staying behind when she leaves! Two dogs and two cats are enough for us! They sure are cute though. Jake and Miley love playing with them, too.

Meal Making

Yesterday the girls went to the 4-H coordinator's house for a lesson in meal making. They, along with several other 4-H girls, made 6 different meals for 3 different 4-H families currently affected by cancer. They got a lesson for their foods and nutrition project as well as a lesson in community service. The meals were then frozen and delivered to the families.

Tonight I let the girls and their friends make their own pizzas. Brad wanted to get in on the meal making as well. Here is a picture of Brad's pizza masterpiece.

Two Things

Two Names You Go By: 1. mom 2. Tams

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now: (other than clothes): 1. wedding ring 2. another ring

Two Things You Want Very Badly At the Moment: 1. good coffee 2. a great massage

Two people Who Will Fill This Out: 1. Kristen 2. Can't think of anyone else

Two Things You Did Last Night: 1. read Twilight 2. made pizza

Two Things You Ate Yesterday: 1. banana 2. pineapple

Two Things You Are Doing Today: 1. watching Marley and Me 2. watching it snow

Two Longest Car Rides: 1. Oregon 2. Vermilion, Ohio

Two of Your Favorite Holidays 1. Thanksgiving 2. Christmas

Two Favorite Vacations: 1. Disney World 2. Cancun, Mexico

Two Favorite Beverages: 1. hazelnut white chocolate mocha 2. chocolate silk