Time For Your Check Up

"Time for your check up! Time for your check up!"  Doc McStuffins is a constant in our house and if you have kids…chances are you are now singing that song in your head…if not out loud.

It had been 6 months since we'd seen Dr. Hong and her crew at the U of I hospital.  Dr. Hong had a baby about 5 months ago.  Since she was on maternity leave and because Maci had been doing so well, we went 6 months instead of our normal 3 month check up.  Maci didn't understand why she was getting to go with mom and dad alone today.  I told her we were going to see the doctor and it was instant tears.  I think she was assuming it was a trip to the ENT and she immediately associates that with pain.  Luckily she forgets pretty quickly still so off we went in the truck.

We quickly got in to see the PA that we love.  She gave Maci the run down and made her contort her body in all directions to test her mobility.  Maci kept her on her toes and had her laughing.  The rhuemetologist came in shortly after that and put her through the same tests.  At the moment, there continues to be no signs of arthritis in her little body!!!!  Dr. Hong was very very happy with Maci's progress.  If she has 4 more appointments (about 2 years) without any flares, she will start to wean her off the methotrexate.  That is both exciting and scary at the same time.  It's exciting because she will no longer be on a medication that can permanently damage her liver but scary because we don't know how the arthritis will respond with no treatment.  In the meantime, we will continue to visit Iowa City every 6 months, do the weekly injections at home and have bloodwork completed every 3 months.

Mommy…what day is today?

Maci has suddenly become very concerned about what day of the week it is.  She often asks…"Mommy, what day is today?"  I will answer and her next question will be:  "Is it shot day?"  6 out of 7 days it's not and she has a little sigh of relief but every once in awhile, it is shot day.  Her little round face falls and her eyes well up with tears.  She then goes on to try and convince us that it isn't shot day.

It breaks my heart just thinking about the conversations we've had.  Maci doesn't understand that the shot allows her to move freely, torment her big sister, jump on the couch and saves her eyes from permanent damage.  To her, it just hurts.

Every Friday night the reminder goes off on our phones and both Ryan and I get a sinking feeling.  Ryan gets the shot ready and I begin to distract Maci.  It never works, she can sense it is coming.  Tears ensue despite Kenna's best effort to distract her.  I eventually hold her arms and legs down…Kenna gets the bandaid ready….Ryan does the injection.  Almost immediately after the needle goes in, the crying stops.  The worst part isn't the pain.  It is the anticipation….for all of us.

There is no reasoning or amount of explanation you can give to a 3 year old.  We've been researching the least traumatizing way to give the shot and I think as the weeks go by it will get easier for all of us.  That's what we hope anyway….

Two Thousand Fourteen

Well…that was quick.  2013 is over and 2014 is here!  We had a great 2013…new house…tons of yard work...Kenna started kindergarten…trip to London and much more!  While we are sad to see it go, we are very excited for 2014 and all that it will bring.

We have a few things planned for the upcoming year.  I'm sure it will fly by even quicker than last year.  We will do our best to slow down and soak up all the exciting moments and capture all the new memories we will make.  I think 2014 is going to be a great one!

Jingle Bell Run Success

Last weekend was the big Jingle Bell Run to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.  Team Moo Moo's goal was to raise $3500.  Well, we did that….and more!  The final numbers are not in but by the time the money I brought with me that day is applied and all the company matches come through, we should be closer to $4,000.  It is simply fantastic…and amazing to me what a few emails and posts on Facebook can generate.  People are so generous even though it is Christmas time and money is tight.  We cannot thank those of you that were able to contribute even just a few dollars.  The event was a huge success and we expect it to grow more and more each year.