Spring Break - Part 3

When we got home from Chicago, the kids were surprised by their "spring baskets" - a few new lego sets, some glitter glue, and a new family game.  (Several years back I ditched the tradition of Easter baskets because I couldn't find a good way to connect it with our faith.  Spring baskets work well for us.)

The new activities provided some good fun for the rest of our spring break.

The kids made glitter glue creations.

And played with Legos a LOT.

One of Kate's highlights for the week was not having to get dressed until lunchtime :)

Wednesday was Ethan's class at the Little Gym and Thursday was a dual therapy appointment for Anna.  We all enjoyed ourselves on each of these days, and it was certainly nice to have a reason to get out of the house on the cold, rainy/snowy days.

As part of our inside activities, we had some fun with Ethan's new loft.

Kate, of course, taught him how to climb onto the shelves.

 

Friday was Anna's MRI; we reported to the hospital at 6 a.m. - ugh.  The scan itself and wake-up from anesthesia went very well, but we had a bit of frustration earlier in the day.  Prior to each MRI, Anna needs to have a check-up with her primary care physician within 30 days to give her the okay for anesthesia.  Basically, she needs a qualified professional to listen to her heart and lungs.  We had this appointment in February.  However, since Anna's MRI needed to be rescheduled due to her fever a few weeks back, the 30 day window had passed; we learned that on Wednesday morning.

No big deal.  We called our physician and he wrote an addendum to the physical and had it faxed by Wednesday afternoon.

Friday morning the nurse couldn't find the electronic file.  After lots of looking and many phone calls, she finally found it, only to learn that an addendum doesn't cut it for the anesthesiologists.  Luckily, our nurse got a hold of a resident who was willing and able to come and do a quick physical exam of Anna at 7 a.m. and fill out the necessary paperwork before the anesthesiologists came in at 7:15.

Now we know ... 30 days means 30 days, and an addendum doesn't count.

On to the results.  We actually didn't get them until Monday at Anna's neuro-oncology appointment.  Although no one is overly concerned, there are a few changes in this last set of scans.  The powers that be (primary oncologist, radiation oncologist, neurosurgeon) don't think it's anything to worry about and are just going to wait and see what the next set of scans show.  Apparently, kids like Anna experience "post-treatment changes" to their central nervous system all the time.  In fact, sometimes the changes come and go from one scan to the next.

So, we can either worry and stress and feel anxious for the next four months, or just keep plugging along and enjoy each day for what it is.  I'll take the latter.

In addition to going over the results, we also checked in with the half-dozen or so doctors who are part of this clinic ... neurology, rehab, neurosurgery, oncology, neuropsychology, vocational, etc.  Overall, everyone is very pleased and impressed with Anna's continued progress.  To be honest, though, I kind of felt like a broken record player answering the same questions over and over and over again.  Oh, well.

In between Anna's MRI day and the neuro-oncology appointment, we headed up to my parents' place for Easter.  That will be summarized in Spring Break - Part 4 ... coming soon!