Man, nothing is easy for this kid.  The D is the same – worse some days in fact, and he had a violent episode of the V at the hospital today as well.  Dr. Filipovich told Jodi she “isn’t concerned” but at the same time she’s ordered IVIG to be given straight into his feeding tube starting tomorrow; that tells me her level of concern is not zero.  So we have to take JT into the hospital for the next 10 business days in a row, sit in the Clinic, wait.  We’re ready to try anything that might help, but I hate to take him into that germ cesspool – we know that’s where he caught this accursed bug in the first place.

Good family days.  Simply being together makes everything in the world seem right again.  The boys are delighting in each other and they love having Mommy and Daddy with them at the same time.  We’re delighting in them and having a good time with each other too.  All around, a great visit that we hope is a taste of the rest of our lives.

Tomorrow is JT’s infusion day at the hospital.  Some prayer requests:  he cur ...

Jodi has been asking me to write a housing update for weeks now but I’ve not had the time.  So though it’s a little belated, I now offer you “A Tale of Three Cities…”

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

We had a wonderful visit with Aunt Rebecca and really didn't want her to leave today, but sunny Hilton Head was awaiting her so Jacob and I took her to the airport early in the afternoon.  It was quite an adventure as we got to check out a FedEx plane up really close.  Justy was napping when we arrived home and Jacob and I joined him as daddy dealt with the bills (what a guy). 

When we all woke up we had a nice quiche dinner (thanks to Aunt Rebecca) and then headed to Mt. Airy.  We went in search of the tiny fawn that Brian and I saw on our Frisbee Golf date.  The baby was gone.  Jacob was bummed, but we pressed on and took a really pleasant and enjoyable walk in the early evening fog.  We spotted some big deer and Jacob kept asking me if that was the baby girl deer and had to keep telling him no, but maybe it was the fawn's mommy or daddy.  As we were pulling out of the arboretum we saw a big deer eating fro ...

Another good day here in Cincinnati. 

Brian, Jodi, Jacob and Justy are all sound asleep upstairs and I am on the blog once more.  I think it does ...

Brian and Jodi have bowed out of the blog again for this evening.  Brian is off for some much-needed rest and Jodi’s in the kitchen busy on the other computer.

Overall it was a good day today although the D continues and there was a pretty full episode of V as well.  The latest stool sample is showing some sort of bacteria in his stool and the docs ...

Brian has passed on the "blogging torch" tonight and headed up for a shower before we settle down for our late dinner here.

After a middle of the night arrival, I was lying on the couch this morning listening to the sounds of Brian and Jacob doing the morning diaper change and developing their plan to "scare" Aunt Rebecca awake when they came down.  So I squelched my urge to run up and say hi and dutifully played my part hiding under the blanket like I was asleep.  Jacob pulled back the blanket and “scared” me with the hugest grin on his face and he had a great big welcoming hug for me.  Brian looked on, smiling his grin as well.  It's good to be back.

Celebration and thanksgiving:  the biopsies are all clear!  No viruses found and no evidence of Graft-vs.-Host-Disease either.  Thank you, Jesus.  This is the best news we could have hoped for.

So we think the D culprit continues to be this accursed rotavirus.  It still hits him hard 4-5 times a day.  However, there seems to be steady incremental improvement.&nbs ...

No V today, what a relief.  D continues.  We’re both pretty tired going into tomorrow, which will be a long day at the hospital:  IVIG infusion plus Pentamadine infusion.  Of course we’re really anxious to hear the biopsy results from Friday’s procedures.  Please pray for good news on all fronts.

JT's hair is coming in again and his eyes have been clear and bright the last several days.  I think he's turning a corner.

Well, JT threw up twice today and I’m to blame.  If, God forbid, you ever find yourself caring for a child in JT’s condition, don’t forget to administer both anti-nausea meds on the same morning.  And don’t follow that mistake by giving him a whole bunch of milk and water to drink.  And definitely don’t pursue wrestling as the next activity as soon as he sets down both cups.  I have a sticker I’ve been saving to put on my desk at school next year:  it’s a big band-aid that says “Stupid Hurts.”  I should have be ...