Treadmill Training for the DOG???

One of the joys of dog ownership for me is actually walking the dog. For the brief amount of time that we were "dog-less", I truly missed the bonding experience of walking a dog. Maybe it's the time spent completely alone between master and dog. Maybe it's the utter joy they express as you grab the walking leash from the hook--A self-fulfilling prophecy, for sure. Maybe it's the fact that you know it's just as good for you as it is for them. Maybe it's just to get the dog to sit down for 20 minutes.....

I try with all my might to walk Phoebe a couple miles per day. It as good of therapy for me as it is for her. So, you can imagine how painful it's been to watch the transition from Fall to Winter this week. The freezing rain, gusty winds, and bitter temps have really limited our walking. I know the weather we're experiencing now is going to be mild compared to what's to come. Hence, our walking is going to become less and less.....

Because I prefer "worn out" Phoebe to the "Boy, this dog really needs some exercise" version, I've been researching and trying out different methods of treadmill training for her. The first time I tried it, Brad accompanied me downstairs because he was certain it was going to turn into something he wouldn't want to miss. Turns out, he was absolutely right. It was a disaster. Phoebe was terrified of the noise and dug her heels in deep before falling off the back of it. Again and again, I tried but to no avail.

However, my brother, Colby, is staying with us this week and I thought it was a perfect time to incorporate his help in the matter. While London napped this afternoon, I tried again. This time I used a clicker and treats to reward her. I fed her so many treats there's no way she won't be coming back tomorrow for more. She did awesome. As you can tell from the pictures, I can hardly contain my smug grin.

I'm proud of this small feat....It'll definitely help me this winter to keep her in shape and worn out!

PS: I'll fill you in on Logan's ultrasound results as soon as I know!

Life is Good!

Everything is moving along as it should.....

Logan ACED his spelling test yesterday, London is talking more and more (she must have heard us voicing our concerns amongst ourselves), the new puppy is even starting to get this whole "potty training" concept.

It's been a good week....Logan's stomach is tolerating the medication well and he really seems to be making a comeback. His jeans are still falling off him, but I doubt for long!

While everything else seemed to fall into place, I was really struggling this week for various reasons. Ugh! I think I need some sunshine!!!

I want to thank my good friends who got me through a challenging week: Margie, Trishana, Janet, and Angie. You mean the world to me!!! I'd still be searching for that bridge without you!

The Results are IN!!!!

The gastro specialist called back today. Logan's blood work indicates a bacterial infection. She had a fancy name for it, but I've already forgotten it. Apparently, untreated it can cause major stomach issues.

I've only had an opportunity to talk to her nurse, but the doctor is supposed to call back later today, so I might know more details then.

As of right now, our plan of attack is two weeks' worth of antibiotics and we'll increase the dose of Prilosec.

Ahhhh......A sigh of RELIEF!!! Of course, I only wish we would've know this BEFORE two hospital stays and $6000 worth of procedures, tests, ER visits, and specialist appts. Oh well, it's pretty hard to put a price on Logan's health!

It looks like we'll proceed with the gall bladder ultrasound on Oct 28 because the doctor said they aren't 100% sure the bacteria present is causing the problems. All the blood work indicates is an exposure to H Pylori, but they aren't sure if it's necessarily still active or not.

We'll keep you posted!

Perking Up!

Logan is starting to look better. His appetite has returned in full force, he's gaining some color back in his cheeks, and he's running around the neighborhood with friends again! Yippee!!!!

London has been staying at my mom's house since last Tuesday, so we plan on picking her up tomorrow. We've really missed the comic relief in our house! Brad, especially, looks forward to her return. They've shared a deep connection since birth. She truly defines "Daddy's Girl".....

Have a good week!!!

Small Bowel X-Ray....

We had the upper GI contrast x-ray today. Logan did really well especially given the fact that he had to drink some disgusting white chalky Barium liquid. I seriously thought he was going to vomit just trying to get it down....He didn't look good at all by this point in the procedure. However, he's pretty much thrown up on ALL x-ray tables by now, so why hold back???

Surprisingly, we already have results....

He PASSED with flying colors!!! According to both the radiologist and our GI specialist, nothing was indicated on the x-ray to warrant an ounce of concern.

While a part of me expected these results--Afterall, we've had 4 squeak- clean x-rays already and a couple of CT scans. I wasn't expecting dire news. I figured almost all bases had been covered with the initial tests, but just one more thing we had to rule out.

I'm glad he's fine, but I'm also frustrated that we don't have any more answers at this point. I just don't want him to fall under the "unsolvable" umbrella.

As far as Logan goes, his appetite returned today. Hopefully it stays around awhile. He's looking and acting more normal. His energy level doesn't seem to be as depleted as before. Little by little, I think he's making a comeback.

Now we're waiting for the blood work results to come back and we'll do the lactose test on Saturday. The gall bladder ultrasound is on Oct 28.

GI Specialist....

We met with the GI Specialist today and, unfortunately, we don't know much more than before. The problem is that his symptoms cover a huge range of different diagnoses. So, they are treating everything like it's a possibility. The doctor we met with today said some of the possibilities are Celiac Disease, Lactose intolerance (which she doesn't think it would react so strongly, but, again, anything is possible), gall bladder issues, or just a REALLY bad viral infection that won't budge.

Logan will be put through another round of tests and procedures. He had more blood work today, a contrast-type x-ray tomorrow, a 3-hour lactose test sometime this week and an ultrasound on his gall bladder on Oct 28. They have prescribed Prilosec for his reflux and heartburn issues. They are hoping this tones down the stomach acid. She even sounded optimistic about the possibility of this drug alone curing his symptoms--We're not holding our breath, but stranger things have happened.

To me, she sounded like Celiac Disease was a great possibility. Brad thought they were just trying to rule out something that wasn't tested yet. This is why we BOTH attend conferences, therapy appointments, and doctor visits because we both walk away with an entirely different take on things!

She felt around his stomach (which is constantly extremely bloated these days) and he had the most pain in the general area of his gall bladder. Hence, the ultrasound. She said gall bladder issues tend to be like a roller coaster with it's ups and downs. Another possibility...Ugh!

If none of these tests reveal anything, they will do more invasive procedures with scopes. Luckily, he'll put out during it's entirety.

Logan has lost a lot of weight--he's down 4-5 pounds now, which is a huge percentage on his already too lanky frame. He's very pale and weak, low energy, decreased appetite. Whatever it is, it has definitely taken it's toll.

I wish I was writing with more positive or conclusive news, but we'll just have to endure more to get to the bottom of it.

I'm completely exhausted. The past 2-3 weeks hit me like a brick wall today. I'm looking forward to an early bedtime!

Thanks for hanging in there with us. Thanks for all your concern and support. It means the world to us!!!

Sick, Sick, Sick!

Yep, we've entered the world of "blogging"....So, please bear with us as this site is definitely a work in progress.

While coming across a fellow blogger's site, I noticed the title of their newest posting was "sick, sick, 'sick' and I realized this pretty much sums up the last two weeks in the Garry Household.

Two weeks ago tomorrow, Logan came down with what we thought was a just a flu bug. After a week of various "flu-like" episodes (I'll spare you the details--you can use your imagination), he doubled over on Friday evening, screaming in pain. Call it "mother's instinct" or maybe just good ol' common sense, but I rushed him to the nearest Urgent Care Clinic. After x-rays and bloodwork, they admitted Logan to the hospital with dehydration and a whole slew of scary symptoms. After two days of fluid, morphine, and chicken noodle soup, it appeared as if we were on the road to recovery. We were discharged from the hospital two days later.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I had a definite skip in my step as Logan and I exited the hospital on Sunday. I really thought this was a small blip on the radar screen and we were on our way to freedom, never to look back, never to return to that dreary hospital room again. Boy, was I WRONG!!!

A mere three days later, on Wednesday of this week, we were back to the "oh so familiar" urgent care again, only this time they admitted him to Children's Hospital. Just the mere mention of "children's hospital" made my eyes well with tears. How could our vibrant and healthy 8-year-old end up here??? And the question of what was causing these flares up to return was something I couldn't even face. As a mother, you hear of days and episodes like these...That the scary things that warrant the most worry strike on some idle Tuesday. I was terrified of what lied ahead for Logan and our unit as a family. I've just never seen Logan so immobilized by pain, so peaked, so thin and white.

The doctor's at Children's wasted no time and started extensive testing on everything....Logan was forced to put his modesty aside while they examined every bodily fluid coming from him. All these tests and scans and blood work did not reveal anything dire or dangerous. Everything, thus far, has checked out wonderfully. Please--a moment of silence while I let out a big sigh of relief.....Of course, I'm thrilled his appendix isn't going to burst, his bowel isn't twisted, his liver is operating on a business as usual basis. However, we still need answers and we don't have any at this time.

Logan was discharged on Thursday, but then had another immobilizing bout of vomiting and pain that night. Knowing, more than likely, it isn't anything too serious, we made him tough it out a bit. The thought of another hospital stay made Brad and I want to vomit. To make a long story short, Logan hasn't fully recovered yet and we're meeting with a GI specialist next week. We're hoping to send him back to school on Monday. He's already missed 8 days of school and it's only October.

Anyways, this past two weeks has made me ponder other parents in similar or worse situations than us. We felt like our life was on hold, we hadn't even seen our other child, let alone our new puppy. She was wondering if she had already been abandoned. It was stressful. We endured limited sleep, food was sparse, even checking to see if the sun appeared that day was difficult. This really made me want to reach out to other parents enduring even worse arrangements. I can't imagine what you're going through on a daily basis...The stress, lack of sleep, the overall balance of work, home, and life. Not that it matters, but I understand now. Maybe not fully, but I have a taste and my heart goes out to you.

We'll keep you posted as we hear more from the specialist....