Breeding Losers

This cute boy . . .

is growing up. I'm so sad.

Robbie had his first real play date with a kid from school. They are on the same t-ball team, and though Zach is 7 and a grade ahead of Robbie, they've become friends. I have to admit, pretty much everyone seems to want Robbie as a friend--he's a great little guy--but after eaves dropping on their little conversation as Robbie and Zach walked home from summer school, I am beginning to wonder how long his popularity is going to last!

Zach: So Robbie, do you have a bunk bed?

Robbie: No

Z: An electric skooter?

R: No.

Z: Electric bike, then?

R: No. My parents don't have very much money. (I about died hearing this. So sad. So true. So . . . hard to respond to! But, Zach seemed unfazed . . .)

Z: So what kind of gaming system to do you have?

R: What's that?

Yep, my kids are gonna be losers. Too honest. Too clueless. But . . . they'll be good boys, and that's all I care about.

This Kid

He's hilarious and dynamic for sure. But he's also smart.

Me: Ty, go put your plate in the sink, please.
Silence
Me: (I'm trying to be patient and give him another chance to make the right decision before I bust out my inner grizzly.) You know it's not my job--please put it away.
 Ty: I don't have to (he says so matter-of-factually). You said that you would do anything for me . . . so, YOU put away the plate!
 Unbelievable. I have to seriously watch my words around this one!

Fishing

We finally found a great spot. We finally got some good fish.

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Jimmy spent his time eating rocks

Ty caught two blue gill and Robbie got this big crappie--which, Rob filleted and we ate up!

Ryan, Kristen, and Grandma Haas stopped by on their way to Michigan  and Uncle Ryan took this picture. Our little neighbor, Haley, was trying to show Robbie how beautiful she was in her wedding dress--in response Robbie decided to scare her with some worms. Such a guy. No clue.

Latest and Greatest

It would seem our hospital days are over--at least for six more months! Jimmy met with the oncologist, general surgeon, and pediatrician this week; by each of their standards, he is in great health! Final report from COG (Children's Oncology Group)--the group we donated the tumor to for research--agreed with the other pathologists (a total of 4 opinions) . . . BENIGN! Total dimensions of the removed mass: 16.2 x 10.5 x 8.0cm. Weight: 697 grams (just over 1.5 lbs). His C-Diff seems to be gone. We are so grateful! Goodbye sad hospital days . . .

Hello to our skinny-bellied man!

Resuming Life . . . Full Speed

Ty has a new fascination with face painting. He asks for a new look everyday.

We've enjoyed some gorgeous evenings where we eat on the deck

We explored Oceans of Fun for the first time--what a blast! And fortunately, Jimmy was content in his stroller!

Resumed our regular family bike rides. This time . . . through a construction zone :) Oops!

 And so "normal" life continues.

Road to Recovery

The first few days were tough--he was groggy and in pain. He couldn't even cry because it hurt too badly--he'd start and then after his initial outburst would fade to a whisper he'd fall back to sleep.

By day three he started laughing again. He got a sponge bath . . .

And Daddy encouraged him by demonstrating non-showering bathing procedures.

My mom once told me, "You finally see light at the end of the tunnel . . . and it's a train." Well, just as Jimmy began to recover, he got C-Diff--a nasty spore in his gut that causes terrible diarrhea. It's highly contagious and hard to get rid of. So-- the staff could only come into the room with crazy suits on and Jimmy was confined to his room.

Fortunately, many friends came by with new toys for him to play with.

And Robbie and Ty decorated the room for him.

And then Grandpa Wilde came to play.

My dad has a magical nose that honks every time it is pushed. My kids love it!

But Jimmy didn't get the trait, apparently. Poor guy couldn't figure out why his own nose wouldn't honk!

Bird watching was about the extent of entertainment for my poor little cooped up baby.

But at least Grandpa made it fun!

And finally, we went home! He was in the hospital for 12 days total, but he went home only 5 days post op (average is 10!). He is such a strong little guy. He was riding his motorcycle the very next day. He still doesn't like going downstairs on his tummy and it is hard for him to sit up or roll over when he's lying down--but he's doing amazing! With clothes on, you would never know that he'd just undergone such an ordeal! We love the little guy.

Grandpa left on Tuesday. Grandma Haas (who was here for almost the whole time--so helpful) left Thursday. 

And things are pretty much back to normal now.

Thank you for all of your prayers, well-wishes, and support. We are so very grateful!

Cystic Partially-Differentiated Nephroblastoma

Benign. I got the great news this afternoon. It will still be reevaluated by a second pathologist and then sent to the national expert (I donated the mass to a renal tumor study and consequently get the opinion of the national expert). We are so grateful for all the prayers and well-wishes. Jimmy's bowels have awakened and he pooped this morning. He got to start clear fluids. His catheter got taken out. He's talking and more alert--he's still in pain albeit he is getting a constant dose of narcotics--he's a fighter and a trooper.

CPDNs are most common in children ages two and younger. They are twice as likely to occur in boys. They are almost always detected by an abdominal mass. Jimmy is a textbook case.  We're so grateful for the amazing care we have been given and pray that it is all smooth sailing from here.

Grandpa Harp also is recovering--was taken off the ventilator and beginning physical therapy. The two James' are fighting together, though miles apart.  So grateful! So grateful!