Two Years

Two years ago yesterday, we left Pennsylvania.  While I always miss it, some days I really miss it.  Today is one of those days.

I am grateful for health

I am grateful for health.  This past winter was especially trying in the health department.  As a family, we have been sicker since moving here in August than at any point in almost 7 years of marriage.  I got sick the weekend school started with a nasty stomach bug.  Lowell battled the flu the next weekend - and missed the marathon he trained all summer for.  And then the boys began having problems.  Spencer didn't ever seem to be happy and was struggling with food, then one day he broke into hives.  I couldn't figure out the culprit so we had allergy testing done - he is allergic to eggs.  Then the ear infections started...Tanner has always struggled with ear infections.  He had several as a baby and they went away when I took him off dairy (apparently he had a dairy intolerance).  Last winter he had continual fluid behind his ears but only one true ear infection.  The doctor kept almost referring us to an ENT for a consult on tubes since his speech was slightly delayed and he always had fluid - but she waited.  Spencer was born and had several ear infections in his first few months but they went away with the summer.  Fall hit  - and it was downhill.  Both boys got a nasty cough/respiratory thing requiring a nebulizer in October.  Tanner had 3 ear infections in 4 months.  Spencer had 2 during that time, but one took 4 rounds of antibiotics, including the shots to go away. 

I had had enough and insisted on an ENT referral.  Immediately the ENT heard Tanner's history and said tubes would be recommended.  The ENT is not surgery happy, but with the speech delay and the fact he had 3 ear infections at over 2 1/2 years of age in a short span - as well as several in infancy he felt they were warranted in this case.  Since Spencer seems to be taking after his brother, the ENT also recommended tubes for him.  I was game after the torture of 4 rounds of antibiotics his last ear infection had caused. 

We had the tubes put in mid-February and they have been a lifesaver.   Prior, any little runny nose seemed to result in an ear infection.  Since, we have had one ear infection that cleared up with a few days of ear drops.  Hooray!  Spencer did have a little bit of a complication with dried blood completely blocking the tube, but after several checks by the ENT we seem to have gotten that resolved. 

The morning of surgery we had to report bright and early.  It was kind of heartbreaking to see my boys in little hospital gowns being taken away.  I did okay until they took a crying Spencer and then Tanner started crying for his brother to come back.  :(  Thank goodness Lowell was there to help. 

Slightly groggy and starving.  He was ready for milk but couldn't eat until after surgery.

Tanner enjoyed playing with the equipment in the room

One happy boy.  The hospital had a lady that came to welcome families.  She gave both boys the cutest wooden cars made by a local retired gentleman.

Much happier - after surgery.  He got his milk and was content.

A mere week and a half after surgery, Mr. Tanner broke his leg.  We have a window seat in our house that he decided to jump off.  Lowell told me he was being a boy, I said he was going to hurt himself.  We agreed to one more jump.  He jumped, and I heard the crack over the vacuum.  I tried to tell myself he was fine...but after 40 minutes of hysterical sobbing we were off to Urgent Care.  He was x-rayed and diagnosed with a distal tibial fracture.  It spiraled 2 times up his right leg.  He was given a splint and had it casted 5 days later.  Initially when asked what color cast he wanted, Tanner would say "Brown, like Stephen Brown" - one of our friends.  However, when I told him they didn't have a brown cast, he switched to orange.  Good boy.  ;)

He was in a full leg cast for 3 weeks, then a short red cast for 3 more weeks.  He adapted quickly and was up running and walking on his casts in a few days. 

The day before the orange cast was removed

Switching the casts

Modeling the new red one - sorry about the wonky picture

He got the casts removed on April 8th and started walking again the next day.  Unfortunately, he still favors one leg and has a definite hop in his run.  Last week, I took him for a physical therapy evaluation.  The therapist doesn't think it is a strength issue, but just his coordination was thrown off with the cast.  We have a series of exercises for Tanner and are supposed to work with him for the next couple months.  If there are still problems at the end of the summer I can take him back for more intense therapy. 

After this past winter, I am extremely grateful for health.  Our bodies are amazing things and can do so much for us.  When they break down, it is a bummer - but thank goodness for modern medical care that helps us when that does happen.

Now if only they could find a cure for seasonal allergies...that worked all the time.  (Both boys and myself have issues right now related to the cottonwoods outside our house.  Sadly, the air conditioner runs 24/7 and the doors and windows are kept shut to limit our exposure.)