Kari's health update

Our vacation really was a lot more full and fun then just flying out to Utah. However, my health has been poor for a little while so I haven't had time to finish blogging our trip. My goal is to finish it up within the next two weeks...
The previous couple of years I have been on I.V. antibiotics at home or in the Hospital about every 3-4 months. When I was pregnant for Hayden my IV treatments were a bit more spaced out and my lung function stayed relatively good. So I am happy to say that my last antibiotic dose was right after Hayden was born and when it was done my lung function (FEV1) was about 77%. Having Hayden is such a blessing because I have been without antibiotics for about 6 months which is the longest time in a few years. He keeps me healthy by keeping me home where I can take better care of myself.
About 2 weeks before our vacation I had a scheduled CF appointment with Dr. Homnick. My cough and mucus production was increased so I knew I would be getting antibiotics. My FEV1 was about 64% so I began oral antibiotics. I went back 2 weeks later which was the day before we left for Utah. The meds were not working because my lung function had not gotten any better and all my symptoms were still increased. Dr. Homnick probably would have put me on IV's then but I told him I didn't want to take then on vacation with me. Our vacation was wonderful and just what we needed.
We flew home on Tuesday and were all really tired. Unfortunately, my symptoms got worse. That day and the next I coughed up blood with my mucus (never a good sign). I should have gone in immediately to start IV's but I didn't until the next Tuesday which is clinic day. My FEV1 was 58% and Dr. Marks admitted me to the Hospital. I told Dr. Marks that Hayden would have to stay in with me because I still nurse him and he thought that would not be a problem... So we got in and all settled and even slept through the night rather well. Everyone who saw him during our stay fell instantly in love. He is such a wonderful baby who seldom fusses and is always happy to share a big, warm smile. The first morning the charge nurse came in really early and said hospital policy states that Hayden could not stay with me alone in case my statues changes. (everyone besides him knew my statues would not change) I was kinda freaking out because I didn't want to burden other people to come and stay with us and Hayden couldn't go anywhere because he still gets nursed every 3-4 hours. It was all just a big mess and rather stressful, needless to say I did not get any rest because I had to find people to come and sit with us, I had to feed and entertain Hayden, the medical staff came in all the time, we were not at home, Bret had to hurry in everyday between work shifts, I didn't know how long I would have to stay in the Hospital with all this stress and no rest and to really compound things...I had just begun babysitting a little girl on Monday and now her dad had to quick find someone to replace me for possibly 2 weeks. It was a really big mess!!!
I think Dr. Marks got the idea because he let us go home on Friday afternoon. What a huge relief!!! I rested all weekend and went back to the CF clinic on Tuesday. My FEV1 was not any better but I was beginning to feel better so I stayed on IV's for another week. Bret helped watch the little girl all week and made sure I was doing all my breathing and IV treatments as well as taking care of Hayden. Life is so much easier at home. I go back into clinic tomorrow after 2 full weeks of IV antibiotics and hopefully my FEV1 will be back up in the 70's. I feel a lot better and look forward to another 6 months of no extra medications.

Leaving on a jet plane

We just returned home from a lovely trip to see LOTS of friends and family in Utah and Idaho. Hayden was a real prince even with all the traveling and messed up eat/sleep schedule. He smiled at everyone and really enjoyed all the attention he received.
Our journey began on Tuesday, June 30th. We drove to Detroit to stay overnight in a Best Western with a pool. The drive took about 2 hours but Hayden HATES his car seat so it seemed like about 5 hours. Bret and I realized how grateful we were for flying instead of driving out west. The hotel also had cable so Bret and Hayden watched ESPN together. A little father son bonding time. For dinner we went out to Chinese and it was really delicious. We don't go out to eat very much so it was a really nice treat. That night Bethany (my best gal pal from High School) and Eric came to say hello. It was a great treat since we haven't seen each other in over a year. We really enjoyed catching up on life and showing Hayden off. When we got back to our room it was still really hot so I had to go down to the front desk and request another room. The desk clerk was really nice but really busy even thought it was 11pm. She gladly gave us another room and 10% off our bill. No one slept very well because of the different environment and excitement to see Grandma and Grandpa Anderson.

Morning came early and Bret was raring to go. We made it to the Airport in plenty of time and Hayden just had to see everything. He is such a good little boy that at home he eats at 9 and 12 with a 2 hour nap in the middle. That day he ate at 7:30 and 12 with only one 20 minute snooze and no fussing. What a trooper he just wanted to check out the world. While we were waiting to board our Branch President Rand Johnson walked up. His aunt just passed away and so he was going out to the funeral on our same flight. As soon as Hayden saw him from his stroller he gave a huge hello smile. So on the flight Hayden started with Mommy and Daddy and ended with Pres. Johnson. We didn't know how he would take it but he was happy through the whole thing.

We landed, got our luggage and headed out to get our rental... 2009 Navy Blue, Jeep Commander with sun roof and remote car starter. NICE vacation vehicle. I could tell Bret missed his mom because he was really anxious. Hayden finally took a nap in the jeep and we got to Mom's around 7 pm. Hayden woke up just before the house and as soon as he saw Grandma he gave her a huge smile. Hayden instantly fell in love with Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Colleen.