Partial MRI Results

Hi Everyone, Keegan had his MRI on Friday and we finally got a call late today w/ some partial results. I talked to the physician's assistant, not the nuerosurgeon as he was too busy. Sometimes the PA gives inaccurate info so I'll update again after I speak w/ the nuerosurgeon (hopefully tomorrow).

Anyway, they determined that Keegan does have a cyst in his left ventricle. Currently he is shunted on the right side. The PA said that in his opinion Keegan will need surgery to take care of the cyst, but it is not an emergancy at this time. They did a stealth series during the MRI to get a very detailed picture of the left ventricular area. The doctor has unfortunatly not been able to review those results. The PA said they are trying to determine whether or not they can go in endoscopically and try to drain/puncture the cyst or whether Keegan will need another shunt to go into that area.

That is all we know. My hope is that he won't need another shunt and that the surgery can wait until after the holidays. The nuerosurgeon is going to try to review the stealth series results tonight or tomorrow and the PA said we may not hear back until Wednesday. Also if they can't see what they want to see from the MRI Keegan may need to have further tests done before they determine what the next steps should be.

Here's a video as promised

Here is a video from last week of Brodin trying to roll over. The little stinker is much better and faster at it now.

Keegan's MRI

Keegan's MRI on Friday morning went very well. Keegan was scared but brave. Luckily it only took one try to get his IV in. They put him to sleep since the MRI took a little less than an hour. He as a little loopy after he woke up and couldn't walk straight for a few hours. We got to the hospital at 7:30 and were released less than 2 hours later.

We still don't have results and are hoping to hear tomorrow (Monday). I will try to update the blog as soon as we hear. In the mean time Keegan is feeling very well. He is in a great mood and hasn't been sick since last weekend so I'm hopeful that whatever they saw on the CT scan last weekend resolved on its own. Here is a very cute video of Keegan from tonight.

Santa Pics

Keegan and Brodin got to meet Santa. Keegan told Santa that he wanted a Great Big Snowball for Christmas. When Santa told him that was up to the weather man, Keegan told him he wanted a fire truck.

Annie Meets Brodin

Aunt Annie didn't get to meet Brodin until Thanksgiving.. here is the first pic I've captured of the two of them:

Now for some good news

Brodin started rolling over from his back to his tummy this weekend! He is getting so big so fast. I'll try to capture it on video for you guys.

Not such good news

Keegan has been acting a little funny this week and then on Monday night he threw up so we took him in for a CT scan yesterday. Thankfully he doesn't have a shunt blockage (YAY!) but he does have an abnormal accumulation of fluid in one of his ventricles. The nuero said it is either a cyst or some tissue mishealed after the last set of revisions and walled off a part of the ventricle. So he is getting an MRI on Friday morning so they can see that section of the brain more clearly. In all liklihood he'll need surgery to break that membrane, but at least it isn't an emergency.

I'll try to update this blog as soon as we get the MRI results. The MRI is on Friday at 7:30 a.m. and he'll need to be sedated. Luckily Joe and Helen are coming up to watch Brodin so we can take Keegan in for the test. Keegan has Pizza w/ Santa today at school so I'll be sure to send some pics later today.

This weeks events

Hi everyone. With the crazy Christmas holiday, me starting work again and final exams to study for I'm probably not going to be blog posting much over the next 3 weeks. But rest assured that I'll get back into the swing of things once things are a little less crazy.

For everyone's enjoyment here is Brodin showing off his new dalmation print diaper!

Brodin's Bumbo

Here is a pic of Brodin in his Bumbo seat... a great invention!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Our family wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving. We are thankful to have such great and special family and friends!

A little fun

So it is a lazy Saturday today. Bill has off which is unusual but very nice since we get to spend some family time together. Brodin "discovered" his feet today and he just keeps staring at them, it is so cute. Here is an adorable video

Keegan and Brodin

I tried to get a new pic of the boys together... it didn't turn out too great, but here it is

Bye Grandma Bonzi!!!

Well my mom, aka Grandma Bonzi, visited this past weekend. We all had lots of fun. She was able to give me more sewing tips and for the first time I attempted to sew using a pattern. I did a purse and unfortunatly I sewed the bottom of the purse (an oval) the wrong way so it really isn't working as planned. I'm discovering that you need a lot of patience to learn how to sew...

Here is a cute pic of Brodin and Cathi.

Did you know??

Today is the anniversary of Bill and I's first date, 12 years ago!!!!!! We are doing really well. Bill got a 100% on his mid-term exam and was accepted into the clinical program, he officially starts clinicals in late August 2007. It will take him 21 months to finish the program, then he'll be an RN!

My masters classes are kicking my butt. I'm doing well in them, but man it is a lot of work. I almost took 3 classes and Bill talked me into taking only 2, boy am I glad I listened. I'm trying to get ahead since I start work in 13 days.

Brodin weighed in at 14lbs, 14.5 oz at his 2 month check-up. The kid is huge!

Keegan's neuro follow-up appointment went well and provided there are no shunt blockages they don't need to see him for another year. And he is now officially daytime potty trained, there are still a few accidents a week, but not too shabby.

A really cute video of Keegan and Brodin

Dad and JRs Visit

JR left on Thursday and Dad left on Friday. I accidently deleted some really cute pictures of JR and I and Dad and Brodin (I was clicking too fast, arghhh!) But I did manage to properly download a really cute one of JR with Brodin. This was taken right before he left for the airport. We'll miss you Uncle Rob!!!!!!!!!!!

Some new pics!!!

Here is one of Keegan in his new spiffy coat sent by Aunt Carolyn. Thanks!!!!


Here is one of Brodin trying to do a push up and another of him smiling... too cute!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Keegan had a great halloween. He and Brodin were matching jack-o-lanterns. See the cute pictures!!! Keegan loved trick-or-treating and loved the candy. Dad gave out candy, he didn't need a costume (hee, hee) and uncle Rob was here visiting too. We also went to a pumpkin farm at Apple Holler with Helen and Joe. It's been a busy weekend!

Captured a Brodin Smile!

Mom would be sooo proud of me......

So yesterday I dusted off the sewing machine and actually tried (tried being the key word) to sew something. I just wanted to sew some flannel cloth wipes, should be easy right?

It took me 3 hours (not exaggerating) to figure out on my own how to create a bobbin, thread the bobbin and thread the top part of the thread (spool right?). Apparently I can read, analyze and write a detailed tax research memo about some of the most complex sections of the federal and state tax code, but I can't figure out a Brother's sewing machine instruction booklet.

Finally after I threaded the machine I had to start cutting the flannel. So, how exactly do you cut straight? I can't seem to figure that one out. I got it close, but my original 8x8 inch square is now 8 inch by 7 1/4 inches.

My sew line was not even close to straight... and I used about 10 different stiches. At least this is cheap fabric. So my 5 hours of work produced one uneven, interestingly sewn, flannel cloth wipe. Not bad eh?

We are cloth diapering!

OMG, yes you heard that right! Brodin had a never ending diaper rash. I tried tons of different diaper creams, even prescription ones. A fellow mom friend of mine recommended that it may be the disposable diapers I am using so I tried a few brands to no avail. I posted on the babycenter message board re: this never ending issue and a girl posted back that I should try to use cloth diapers because they breathe better. I told her she was nuts. I could never dunk a diaper in the toilet or put a pin near my baby's bottom and she told me new cloth diapers don't have pins, they are super soft microfleece and dunking nowadays isn't required sooo I took a look, bought one diaper, then I was hooked!

Brodin's rash has improved dramatically, the diapers are super cute and easy to clean. As an added bonus I'm saving money and preventing a lot of waste, but really it is all about the cute, softer than soft diapers. They are so super soft that I don't even like disposables anymore. If I had known it was so easy I would have done the same with Keegan, wished I would have known since it would have saved me a ton plus they are more fun. If you have to spend your money on something, why not spend it on something a bit more fun hey?

I swear I'm not weird and I'm not trying to create a movement, I just feel like I found a better way. My favorite brand so far is called BumGenius!, they are sold by Cottonbabies at www.cottonbabies.com, check out their blog if you are interested: Cotton Babies Cloth Diapers Blog: People still use cloth diapers

I'll post some pics of his new dipes soon.

Ali

Funny Keegan Commentary

O.k. so this weekend Keegan and I were driving over to a friends house. I had just finished asking him if he remembered what city he lived in, what city grandma lived in, etc. when we passed a McDonalds. He looked at it and said, "Mom... oooohhh that's a Mcdonalds" and I said "yep" and he said "That's where chicken mcnuggets live". Too Cute!!!

Keegan's Potty Trained... Well Almost !

After months of bribing Keegan is finally using the Potty!! (can you tell this is a mom's blog?) Here is a cute pic. of him, we can save this to show to his future girlfriends! We aren't completely there yet, but we are close!

And here is the video.. sorry if it does not work its my first try

So Brodin turned 2 months on Friday. In honor of this I took some new pics and a video. I'm going to do my best to upload them here... gotta try to figure it out. Here goes....

Welcome to our new blog!!

O.k. having learned more about blogging I have decided that I'm not a huge fan of myspace and like blogger much better. So I am jumping ship! From here on out our family events will be posted here so family and friends who aren't near can keep up with current happenings! Also, you can post comments to any posting we write, a good way to keep in touch.