Check Up with Immunologist Leads to More Antibiotics

5 days after our ENT told me to expose Birdie to more germs, she came down with her first cold in several months.  2 days laster, we were at the allergist/immunologist for a check up.  Dr. T reviewed Birdie's history, we filled her in on Birdie's fluid in the lungs during December and she examined her.  Let's just say that Dr. T was not at all happy with how Birdie presented at the appointment.  Her nose, chest and sinus cavities were congested.  There was even green mucus coming out of her eyes.  So sad.  

Dr. T put Laurie on a 14 day course of antibiotics rather than waiting to see if Laurie could fight the cold on her own.  She explained that with a low IGa, her body needed the extra help faster than a normal child.  We couldn't wait because the odds are she would get worse without the help.  

Thankfully, Birdie is a trooper with meds.  That appointment was a Friday and by Tuesday Laurie spiked a fever with her cold.  I kept her home for 2 days with me to rest.  

One good thing that came out of this cold - we introduced Birdie to the sinus wash.  It had been recommended to us for a while, but I'd been hesitant because of my own experience.  But, she and I bit the bullet and did it (on both of us) while she was home with the fever.  She did great.  But when the green yuck finally poured out of her nose, it freaked her out a little.

After we got it all out, she was congestion free for days after. And it seemed to really be a turning point for her cold.  By the end of the week, she was her normal old self.  No trace of fever or cold.  I'm hopeful that our continued usage will make a huge difference for her health.  

Ear Check for Birdie

Laurie had an ear check with her ENT last week.  All looked great!  He said the tubes are still in after 18 months, but look like they will be out in the next 6 months or so.  Our Dr. seemed a bit surprised when I filled him in on Laurie's last year illnesses since we last saw him.  

While speaking with him I realized it has been 3 months since Laurie was last on antibiotics of any kind.  Woo Hoo!!  That is the longest she's gone illness free since last June. Her latest bout back in late December/early January came close to pneumonia, but her lungs cleared with one heavy dose of antibiotics and lots of breathing treatments. 

Our ENT advised me to quit avoiding germ infested places with Laurie.  He strongly recommended letting her do and go everywhere we normally would to help her further build her immune system. I've always been a mom not afraid of a few germs, always the last one to break out the hand sanitizer for the kids. However, I'm still a little hesitant now about germs when I picture Birdie attached to her nebulizer so often for 6 months.  I might consider letting her play at Chick Fil A again soon since I know in my heart he is right.  It is just so hard to open the door to the possibility of exposing her to more sickness again.

Birdie returns to the immunologist/allergist later this week for another check up. It has been 5 months since we last saw Dr. T and we have our fingers crossed it will be a quick visit and be given the all clear.

Back to see Dr. D.

Laurie made it 18 days into the new year before needing a sick visit to Dr. D.  Over the MLK weekend at the ranch, Birdie started sniffling and getting congested.  She got really upset with us because we wouldn't let her out in the cold damp weather with the other kids.  By Monday, she was really green, snotty and running a low grade fever.  The green goo oozing out of her eyes is what convinced me she had to go to the pediatrician.  Thinking it was a bad cold, I made the appointment yesterday morning.  On our way there, she told me her throat hurt because she needed a drink.  

While discussing her symptoms with nurse Kristie, I mentioned her throat.  After a rapid strep test, Dr. D came in to tell us Laurie tested positive for strep. (Her chest was clear.)  I was not expecting that.  But, at least it is easy to treat.  Course, as I left the office, I wondered about Ashley, Daniel, Brian and I.  And all our friends and their kids who were just with us at the ranch.  Many phone calls and text messages followed to let everyone know they were exposed to strep. 

Since Laurie still shows an aversion to going to the Dr. office, I treated her to new tennis shoes (and flip flops since it was a BOGO) at Payless and told her to choose a place for lunch.  She chose getting a large soft pretzel at Target instead of any fast food.  That worked for me, I love Target.  We picked up a few new leggings and tunic shirts for her (since that is all she ever wants to wear) and a Starbucks coffee for me.  Then it was over to Hobby Lobby to look for a few things, drop off the prescription, and over to the new Goodwill store to browse.  We rounded off our day with a quick stop at HEB to pick up something for dinner before jumping in the carpool line for the big kids.  Obviously she wasn't feeling all that bad.  In fact, before her Dr. appointment she helped me finish getting the Christmas tree down, in the box and out to the garage.  (Yes, my Christmas tree was still standing naked in my living room on the 18th of January).  

Laurie EOY Health Update

Would you believe that Laurie made it 6 weeks between doctor visits?  And then it was only for a follow up with Dr. T.  She made it 9 whole weeks between sick visits.  Just before Thanksgiving, Laurie had to visit Dr. D's office for a head cold with a wicked cough.  Unfortunately, Dr. D was out and her sub Dr. was not great.  He did not think her cold warranted much attention even with her history.  Because I had leftover Xopenex for the nebulizer, I started her on breathing treatments.  It didn't do much good because we were back 8 days later to see Dr. D. Laurie's cold had gotten worse and now her chest was tight.  She was given an antibiotic and more Xopenex, every 4 hours.  

After another 10 days, on Ashley's birthday, Laurie was back to see Dr. D, this time with wheezing in her chest.  She sent us off to the hospital for a chest x-ray and blood work.  We were thankful that it showed no pneumonia, but a viral infection in her lungs.  A little good news.  It appeared the pneumonia vaccine she was given back in August was working.  More antibiotics, steroids and breathing treatments.  Birdie missed a great deal of preschool in the month of December, but did go to her Christmas party, or at least 30 minutes of it.  It has been another rough few weeks for her.  Dr. D. is hopeful that she will outgrow her respiratory issues.  I told her my goal is to make it through cold & flu season without another trip to the emergency room or a hospital stay.

Merry Christmas!

The week of Christmas Laurie was finally off the antibiotics, but back at Dr. D.  Her chest was finally clear, but her congestion and cold appeared to be back.  Another round of antibiotics and breathing treatments were ordered.  On a positive note, Laurie is finally back up to 39 lbs, what she weighed before she started this journey of sickness in May.

At the end of the year, she is once again done with her meds and appears to be doing great.  Let's pray that 2011 finds Laurie in better health than 2010.  

Still has Fifths...

Ashley's Fifth's made a slight reappearance while we were at the Ranch this week.  She came into the house screaming because she fell down and cut her chin.  We quickly noticed her hands looked swollen and rashy.  We weren't sure if she had gotten into something and the hands were an allergic reaction or if it was more Fifths.  

The decision was to give her some Benadryl to see if the rash went away, if it didn't it was probably Fifths.  The only problem was, the only Benadryl we had, was in the form of pills.  So, Ashley would have to learn to swallow a pill.  My oldest child can have a bit of anxiety about new things, especially when she is already upset about something else (falling down).  

It took a couple different methods and Brian taking over for a frustrated me, but she eventually swallowed the pill of Benadryl.  And it changed nothing, so in the end, it turned out to still be Fifths.  

Fifth's Disease

Guess who woke up with a rash from Fifth's Disease yesterday morning? 

If you guessed Ashley - you're Right!  We didn't even realize she wasn't feeling good or sick in the slightest bit.  Guess she had a mild case since the rash isn't very bad.  It has progressed from her face to her entire body, but still doesn't look near as bad as Daniel's did.

I'm sure it will be gone in a few days.  It is really funny that Ashley has Fifth's for Christmas and Daniel had it for Thanksgiving.  Does that mean Birdie will have it for Easter?

Ashley is upset she will have a rash on her arms in her Christmas dress, but I found her a sweater with sequins to wear to cover it up.  She will be beautiful no matter what.  

2 kids down with Fifth's, 1 more to go.....

Daniel has Fifth's Disease

Daniel woke up the morning of his birthday party looking like this!

We weren't sure what it was, but it looked like some sort of allergic reaction so we gave him an antihistamine.  The swelling seemed to go down, so we continued with his birthday party.  As the kids were all leaving, one of moms told me it looked like he had Fifth's Disease.  I wasn't really sure what that was, so I hit the internet to check it out.  Says it starts with generic cold/flu like symptoms and then ends with a lace like red rash beginning on the face and spreading over their boy.  I kept him home from school the next day and visited the Dr. office.  Dr. D was on vacation for Thanksgiving, but her sub took one look at him and said it was Fifth's.  

He headed back to school Tuesday proudly showing his rash to everyone.  It was everywhere.  Back of his neck, arms, chest, legs...  His teacher said it was one of the worst she'd seen. Eating lunch at school for Daniel's birthday that day I noticed many of the kids at the table with the same rash.  Evidently it hit the 1st grade hard.  That's easy to believe since they are contagious until the rash breaks out, but before that point, you don't even know they have it.  

Thankfully, you are only supposed to get it once and his rash went away quickly.  I'm not sure the girls have ever had it, but so far no rash for them.

Update on Birdie's Health

It is time for a Birdie Health Update.  We received the results of the full panel of blood tests.  Birdie did test positive for Beta Thalessemia minor, joining Ashley and I in having this hereditary blood disorder.  For her, it means she will always be anemic (however, her Hemoglobin was not bad at 10.3) and cannot take iron. The one thing that was below normal limits for Laurie was her Immunoglobin A (IgA); however it was not low enough to be considered IgA deficient. They recommend having it checked every year or so to see if it improves on its on. Everything else was within normal range in her blood panel.  Good results, but it means we aren't any closer to getting any answers.  

During the months of August and September, Laurie was still having ear infections while on antibiotics.  It was pretty awful.  Since she has tubes, we knew she had ear infections because her ears smelled funny and they would drain the puss.  We saw Dr. T & Dr. D constantly.  At least one Dr. a week for a  while.

Birdie & Daddy at a soccer game

In September, her allergist/immunologist, Dr. T ordered an allergy skin test to look for the 30 most popular allergies.  Let me just say, skin tests have come a long way since the two times I've had them done.  Instead of getting each prick individually, they have a panel of 10 they prick at once.  Basically, before Laurie could register the pain and get the scream out of her mouth, all 30 pricks were done.  Then they injected the top few contenders into the back of her arm.  She HATED that!  Even though the nurse was awesome and fast, there was lots of screaming.  

After it was all over, the results showed her allergic to only 3 things - Ragweed, Cockroaches, and  Alternaria, which is a type of mold.  None of her reactions were bad enough to warrant allergy shots or thought to cause her respiratory issues of late.  While I was happy for Laurie not to have serious allergies, it was a little disappointing.   Even the doctor was convinced Laurie had serious allergies due to her symptoms.  Now we had another test completed and still no answers.   We were advised to keep her on Zyrtec, saline spray and Nasonex daily in an attempt to prevent her from developing further illness. 

Originally we were scheduled to have a CT scan of Birdie's sinuses on the same day as the allergy testing; however, we arrived to discover our insurance company wouldn't permit the test.  When the doctor was told of their decision, she got on the phone with the insurance company and convinced them to change their decision while we were still in the office.  

At the end of September, we came back for the CT scan.  It revealed latent sinus infections in specific sinus cavities.  Dr. T believes that this fluid stuck in her cavities could have made her prone to the pneumonia, ear infections and other illness.  Laurie was started on another round of serious antibiotics for a 3 week period.  Thankfully Laurie is a great medicine taker (probably all the experience.)  We are scheduled for a follow up with Dr. T in 6 weeks (3 weeks of meds and 3 weeks off them).  Hopefully, this sinus infection is the answer we were looking for and will help Birdie prepare for the cold and flu season coming very soon.  

New Doctor for More Testing

Dr Dickerson sent Birdie to an Allergist/Immunologist for further testing due to her concern that Birdie has an underlying condition that is causing her to get more sick than an otherwise healthy child should with normal maladies.  So off we went to see Dr. T.  

They started by asking Birdie to blow into a tube to test for a lung function test, and then she did it again hooked up to a computer.  We were told that her results were good.  When meeting with the Dr., we spent a great deal of time detailing Laurie's history, symptoms and treatments.  Upon examination, Dr. T said that it was evident Laurie has allergies - she has a crease across her noise, creases under her eyes, and purple shiners under her eyes.  

After reviewing her history and the examination, Dr. T laid out the various tests she would like performed on Laurie to get to the bottom of her problems.  She ordered a full blood work up, including her checking her immunoglobulins, her hemoglobin, the level of vaccines in her body and numerous other things I can't remember.  I asked if they would also test her for Beta Thalassemia Minor.  Her initial test at 9 mo came back inconclusive and we haven't tested her since.  At her emergency room visit in July 09 she showed anemic, so there is a pretty good chance that she has it also.  Ashley also tested positive at 9 mo. but Daniel was negative.  The Dr. included this test in her blood work order.

In addition to the blood work (which we had performed upon leaving the office), Dr. T ordered a full series of allergy testing, a CT scan of her sinuses and a sweat test for cystic fibrosis.  The allergy testing and CT scan are scheduled after Labor Day.  

The day after meeting Dr. T, we headed down to Texas Children's Hospital for her CF sweat test.  Dr. T wanted her tested to rule it out more than anything else. The test was super easy for Birdie.  They cleaned patches on her arms, then attached an electrode to her upper arm and one on the forearm.  Birdie wasn't happy when they turned them on, but she was a trooper for the 5 minutes on each arm.  After taking off the electrodes, the tech placed a piece of gauze on her forearm, covered it with plastic and taped it all up.  We headed back out to the waiting room for 30 minutes to allow time for her arm to sweat.  When they took it all off, the gauze was full of sweat.  Amazing.  

The best part about the test is that we were early for our appointment and were almost finished at the time of the scheduled appointment. That was a nice surprise.  Since Birdie did such a great job with the sweat test we headed over to the food court for a donut and chocolate milk.  We were done so early that we had lunch with Brian in the area.  It was a great addition to our day.

We heard back today that the sweat test for cystic fibrosis was negative.  I wasn't really worried about it but it was still a huge relief to hear that it was negative.

A Healthy Birdie - For Now

Just after her 4th birthday, Laurie headed off to see Dr. Dickerson, this time not for a sick visit, but happily, a well check.  It was a good thing to be at the Dr.'s office for a pleasant visit for a change.

Laurie did her best to show off for Nurse Kristie and Dr. D.  She climbed all over the examination room, sang songs, counted and even spelled a few words.  A few weeks before the visit, it was debatable whether or not Laurie would even have this check up since she had been so sick.  She surprised us all by passing with flying colors.  Of course, that meant that she was healthy enough for her vaccination shots.  Oops. Well, at least she already received the TB skin test last month, so that's one less shot.

Vision - 20/30 in both eyes

Passed her hearing test

BP was 80/48

Weight 36.6 lbs

Height 40.25 in

A Healthy & Happy Birdie for the moment.

Clear Chest X-Ray

Prayers are working.  Birdie got the news today that her latest chest x-ray this week is clear of pneumonia!!  It almost doesn't seem real since she has been dealing with this horrible illness for months.  We will be back in to talk with Dr. D in a couple weeks for Laurie's well check.  Maybe it will have sunk in by then.  And hopefully, she will still be healthy!

Dr. D is referring Laurie to a Allergist/Immunologist for additional testing even though the pneumonia is gone.  She suspects there might be an underlying condition that keeps Laurie from being able to fight off colds and respiratory ailments like an otherwise healthy child would. But for now, we are celebrating having a pneumonia free child.

After this great news, she got in the pool for the first time in several weeks.  She was a happy Birdie.

A Very Sick Birdie

After returning home from a busy day at the Museum of Fine Arts and a neighborhood playground, I received a call from Dr. D with an update on Laurie's latest chest x-ray.  I had been slow on getting Laurie her latest x-ray with the 4th of July holiday, waiting almost 4 weeks between x-rays.  Laurie seemed to be fine.  So when Dr. D. called me the evening of July 8th to notify me that her x-ray that week revealed pneumonia lurking in her chest, I was surprised, but confident Laurie was fine.  Dr. D. wanted to see us first thing the next morning, but I appealed for a later in the day appointment.  Ashley and Birdie were scheduled for a day of beauty with Cameron, Brenna and my mom at Sweet & Sassy, then lunch at a Tea Room.  It was to be Laurie's first trip to Sweet & Sassy.  Dr. D. wasn't convinced so easily, but I reassured her Laurie was fine while at the museum that day.  

The next morning, things were crazy trying to get us all out the door for another busy day.  Laurie was refusing to get dressed and ready to leave.  Then she started crying, saying her back and stomach hurt.  Thinking she was constipated or something, I gave her a prune and tried to get her to use the bathroom.  She only seemed to get more upset.  Confused by her behavior and unable to get her dressed, I put her in the car in her pajamas.  By the time we got to a neighbor's house to drop Daniel off for his playdate, she was screaming.  We made it out to Hwy 6 and then her screaming got really bad.  At one point I had to pull over and try to comfort her.  I was really freaked out at her pain and even yelled at Ashley for not helping me comfort her while I was driving.  Ashley was scared by her constant screaming and I was frustrated and scared myself.  

We finally got to Sweet & Sassy a few minutes late.  I called my mom, who came and got Ashley out of the car.  She convinced me to just go straight to Dr. D's office without an appointment since something was very wrong with Laurie.  When we arrived at the office, Laurie was alternating between screaming and lethargic.  She was very pale. I knew she was not doing well by the reaction of the nurses.  They immediately took her back and brought in Dr. D.  After an examination, they catheterized Laurie for a urine sample and checked her blood/oxygen saturation levels.  Her levels were low with shallow breathing, so they gave her a breathing treatment.  At this point, I was terrified she had a ruptured appendix or something.  Dr. D sent us over to Methodist Hospital next door for an abdominal ultrasound and blood work.  

At some point, I had texted Brian and he met me when I got to Methodist.  It was scary seeing Laurie so lethargic and non-responsive.  We had to wait for a long time to get her tests.  Dr. D called me on my cell after an hour or so to see how it was going.  She was stunned to hear we were still waiting. Next thing I know, she was talking to the Diagnostic desk and we were called back immediately.  The ultrasound was inconclusive.  Laurie had so much gas in her abdomen they had a difficult time seeing much.  The blood work would take 2 hours for results.  While we were waiting for the radiologist to talk to us, Dr. D called us (she'd already talked to the radiologist), gave us the results and told us to come back to her office.  

When we got there, Dr. D. told us she could not send Laurie home, not in this condition.  The screaming had stopped, but she was extremely lethargic.  Only waking long enough to whimper and cry before passing out again.  They checked her blood/oxygen levels again, which were low, and gave her another breathing treatment.  She told us we were to go to the emergency room at Texas Children's Hospital.  Before sending us on our way, her nurse gave Laurie 2 Rocephin shots in her legs.  Those are just horrible shots (Daniel has had them). That woke Laurie up and caused her to start screaming again.

Brian and I left his car at the Dr. office and drove to the medical center.  We had started updating our friends and family on Laurie's condition through text messages and FaceBook.  It was a blessing to receive messages of prayers and support throughout the very long day.  

After arriving at Texas Children's, we waited again and continued retelling Laurie's story to everyone who walked in the door.  It was a frustrating time period.  We had a couple different doctors and nurses come in and talk with us, without really discovering out who was in charge of her case. Dr. D called to check on us and got the ER doctor's name & phone #.  Dr. D. was amazing.  I believe without her prodding the ER doctor, things would have taken even longer.  She called us multiple times during our entire visit to Texas Children's.  It was reassuring to have her explaining things to us since she knows Laurie and us so very well.  

Waiting for her chest x-ray

Laurie was started on an IV and sent for another chest x-ray and round of blood work.  While waiting for the chest x-ray, she started to perk up a bit.  After that, it was more waiting.  It was Dr. D who called my cell to tell us the results.  It was decided that Laurie's pneumonia had gotten worse and settled deep in her lungs.  It was pushing up against her diaphragm and causing her intense pain.  They started her on an IV of ampicillin and admitted her.  

Brian and I had a very long, exhausting and emotional day.  The nurses and staff at Texas Children's were amazing.  So nice and reassuring.  When we got up to her room, it was like a hotel in many ways.  They were extremely accommodating of not only her needs, but of us also.  One debate Brian and I started having was who would stay the night with Laurie.  Brian flat out told me he would not leave.  I tried discussing it with him, telling him I wanted to stay, but he had to be the one with her.  I just couldn't imagine leaving my baby in the hospital and going home for the night.

Coloring with Daddy in the ER

Once we got up to the room, with the IV, antibiotics and earlier shot all in her system, Laurie finally was perking up.  Brian ran out to buy us dinner and my sister came by to bring us a few things from home. Besides the important things like a change of clothes, toothbrush and cell phone chargers, they brought Laurie a stuffed animal, new nightgown and books.  Shelly's girls were sweet sitting on the bed, reading to Birdie.  

It was decided that Brian would spend the night and I would go home to sleep, so I left with Shelly and Bryan.  It was hard to get myself to go to sleep when I got home, but I was exhausted. Even stranger was waking up by myself, getting ready and heading back to the hospital.  Maybe this is how Brian felt each time we had a baby and he came home to sleep.  

The difference a day makes

When I arrived in Birdie's room, she was like a different child.  Very happy and awake.  The new nurse on duty had trouble believing this cute little girl bouncing all over the room had been so sick the day before.  

While Brian went out to get lunch for him and I, Birdie stood in the big window to watch him walk on the street below.  Then she started posing and dancing in the window.  

Dancing in the window

After we arrived back home

They released her that afternoon with a prescription for more ampicillin and orders of follow up and rest.  Laurie seemed such a trooper through it all.  We discovered a little later that it really affected her.  (Crying with anxiety at follow up Dr. appointments, not wanting to sleep by herself and scared of needles.)  

It was a real wake up call for Brian and I.  Laurie hadn't really appeared very sick in the weeks leading up to that day, but looking back, there were subtle signs she wasn't feeling well.  Dr. D has become very protective of Laurie. She didn't present with the normal signs and symptoms something was terribly wrong fooling all of us by thinking she was fine.  After all, we were just at the museum and playground the day not concerned about her health.  

Even though she perked up so quickly, we are still taking it calm and easy.  She is a little slow and needs more time to heal.  Thank you for all the prayers and support over the last week.  It has helped more than you will ever know. 

Taking it easy a few days later

On the Mend

Laurie went back to see Dr. D today to check on her pneumonia.  After examining her and listening to her chest, Dr. D said Birdie was on the mend.  Her chest sounded much better.  We will follow up with a new check x-ray in 2 weeks, but everything looks good.

Did I mention I took the other two kids in with us to be looked at?  I admit, now I'm a little paranoid.  Ashley has been complaining that her throat hurts and Daniel is trying to start a cold.  I mentioned to her that I'm feeling horrible also with a head cold.  First she tested Ashley for the usual suspect - Strep.  It came back negative.  She then gave both Ashley and Daniel antibiotics to fight whatever crud is making its way through our house.  

Let's keep our fingers crossed for a more healthy summer soon.

Sweet Angel

After all her sickness here lately, she just looked so peaceful last night sleeping.

We return to the Doctor tomorrow to check on her pneumonia, but today I noticed she sounded a little better.  Her usual coughing fits this morning were shorter and not as rattling.  And no fever all day.  Say a prayer she has beat this thing!

It's Pneumonia

After 10 days on antibiotics and breathing treatments, I called the Dr. office because Birdie just didn't sound much better.  Dr. D took a few listens to her chest and told me it didn't sound good.  She wanted us to head over to the hospital for a chest x-ray.  That was not good news.  

Thankfully, we didn't have to wait very long at the hospital, and Birdie did great getting her X-ray.  A couple hours later we got a call from nurse Kristie.  Birdie has pneumonia.  They have started her on a new round of antibiotics and breathing treatments. 

The really sad part is besides her horrible cough, Laurie doesn't really seem sick.  No fever, lots of energy, and generally happy.  We've been active and in the pool almost every day.  I do have a few friends who suggested to me that Birdie might have pneumonia after listening to her cough.  I couldn't even imagine something was that wrong with her when she didn't seem sick.  But maybe listening to them is what caused my mother's instinct to kick in and take her to the Dr. today.

We go back in a few days for Dr. D to listen to her chest.

End of the School Year Illness

On this last day of school for the big kids, Laurie and I spent the day at Dr. D's office.  She has a wicked cough and seems to be starting a cold.  I debated taking her in or waiting for it to get worse first.  

It's a good thing I made the appointment since Dr. D heard wheezing in Laurie's chest.  Once again she is on the nebulizer with Xopenex and on antibiotics.  Gee, I'm glad I bought the nebulizer all those years ago vs renting one.  

Ears Report

Laurie got the thumbs up today from her ENT at her 6 month post-surgery check up.  Everything looks great and her tubes are still in. Woo Hoo! 

Breathing Treatment

Birdie had another first - she has a cold and must use breathing treatments with Xopenex.  Dr. D. heard wheezing today with her cold at our appointment today.  Birdie doesn't seem to mind the breathing treatments at all, which is really good.

I'm sure she will recover quickly.

No More Cast

3 weeks in a cast seemed to fly by for Ashley.  Not only did she not complain, but having a cast from toes to knee never even seemed to slow her down.  She ran, skipped and jumped with that bright pink and purple cast on her leg. 

It all came to an end last week as her x-ray showed her ankle to be healed, so the cast was sawed off.  What we saw and smelled underneath was truly disgusting.  I had thought that Ashley's leg wouldn't be as bad as Danile's arm since he was casted during the hot Summer, but wow, was I wrong!  The inside of the cast has black growth and a stench that I can't describe to you. When they offered to let us keep the cast this time, I said a quick, "No thank you!"  There were a few tears from  Ashley about it, she was sentimental about all the signatures and hearts, but I remained firm.

The doctor told her to take it easy for a few days, and then on day 4 cast free, she went on a 10 mile bike ride while her Daddy ran alongside.  I have to admit I was a little nervous seeing her ride off with him, since that's what she was doing when she broke it.  But, they came back all happy and sweaty.  Brian said he was glad he let her ride with him and loved spending the time with her. 

Life is back to normal here, as we prepare for Thanksgiving and birthday season.

A Second Cast for The5Jones

Brian takes Ashley on many of his training runs in the evening, allowing her to ride her bike next to him  while he runs 5-9 miles around the neighborhood.  Sunday evening, the weather was nice, so he took her with him like normal.  On their way home, Ashley decided to see how fast she could peddle on her bike, going faster and faster down the street.  Brian called after her to slow down or she might fall.  Being a normal 7 year old, and her father's daughter, Ashley didn't heed his warning.  While peddling fast, her foot slipped on the peddle and down she went.  She seemed fine, with small scrapes and possible bruising, but she was complaining of her foot hurting. 

When they made it home, we put ice on her foot, but didn't notice any swelling.  Thinking that she probably sprained her ankle in her tumble and remembering the arm sprain from 2 Halloween's ago (for some reason I didn't blog it, but there was lots of drama and an ER visit that turned out to be nothing), we didn't take her to the Doctor the next day.  Tuesday morning, she still couldn't put any weight on her ankle, so in we went to the orthopedic Dr.  Much to my surprise, he confirmed that she had a fracture in the growth plate in her ankle.  Whoops! 

Ashley was a little sad at first, but quickly came around when she saw the amazing colors of the casts she had to choose from.  Wow, and did she pick a bright, pretty cast! 

The good news is that her break was lined up perfectly and should heal quickly.  We go back in 3 weeks to hopefully remove the cast and be all healed.  Ashley had a wonderful time showing off her amazing cast at school and let her classmates sign it.  Our biggest problem with the cast so far is getting pants on over it now that the weather has turned cooler.  Not to fret, Houston doesn't stay cold for long and we've found a few pairs of sweatpants for her to wear in the meantime.