Indestructible

Our other Christmas drama had to do with our pug, Duncan. Our family does a kind of potluck-style dinner when we all get together. It's great, everyone brings something so no one gets stuck having to cook everything all day. For Christmas we were responsible for the turkey and the bread.

I actually really love making bread. It's such a process, but I think it's so fun. I decided to make a braided Challah loaf. I mixed everything together, kneaded the dough and set it by a baseboard heater upstairs (behind a closed door where it could get nice and warm). Punched it down and let it rise again. Punched it down and rolled it out into four pieces, then braided them together. Then I put the braided dough back to rise a final time...and apparently didn't close the door all the way. Next thing I know the stupid pug has eaten almost half of the raw bread dough. Grrr! My beautiful bread was ruined!

I actually didn't think much of it at the time, other than being mad Duncan ruined my bread and also mad because he's so stupid (he really is, he'll eat anything). I figured he would have a belly ache, probably throw up, or have diarrhea (or both) and that would be it. So out into his kennel he went.

The next morning, after Todd fed him and went to work, I noticed he threw up his food. This didn't really surprise me much. What bothered me was the fact that the poor dog was tripping over his own two feet, stumbling around the house, literally walking into things. Then I noticed that my normally svelte pug had quite the round little tummy. It hit me like a ton of bricks...FRICK! The dough kept rising IN HIS STOMACH! Then for the second ton of bricks...DOUBLE FRICK! The yeast fermented, and he is drunk!!!

I immediately got on the phone with Diamond Animal Hospital (not our normal vet, but they have a 24 hour emergency room there). They said I needed to bring him in right away to be seen because the alcohol poisoning can be toxic to a dog. Ugh. Great. I had just gotten Mason down for his nap, so my aunt was kind enough to come over to the house while I took Duncan to the vet.

The moment we walked into the vet office they took us straight back (there were probably 5 people in the waiting room ahead of us). The vet did a couple x-rays of Duncan's abdomen to see if he was passing the dough or not.

For those of you reading this that work in x-ray, I'm sure your jaw just dropped (like mine did, too). For those of you who don't work in x-ray, Duncan's stomach is the huge thing taking up most of his abdomen. Basically, the picture on the top is like you were looking at him laying on his back. The black at the top is his lungs (air), the white in the middle of that is his heart. Just below this on your right (Duncan's left) is a huge oval shaped fuzzy thing...that would be his stomach full of raw bread dough.

So, this explains why his stomach was so distended. The problem here is because his stomach was so huge, it shifted all his other abdominal organs out of place, making it hard to tell what is what. Based on these pictures, the vet couldn't say with certainty that Duncan hadn't perforated, or ruptured, his stomach. He suggested going into surgery immediately...which I was not a fan of at all. He decided to do an ultrasound first to try to confirm what was going on, which luckily showed Duncan hadn't ruptured anything. So now we could try to get him to throw up this mass of dough, which I am so thankful he did. The other option was to go in surgically and get it. Again, not a fan of that option at all.

Story over, right? Wrong. Tuesday I had to take Duncan to our normal vet to have his liver enzymes checked. Because of the alcohol poisoning he had we had to make sure he didn't do damage to his liver. Our vet called us last night with his blood results. His enzymes are a little elevated, and his electrolytes are slightly out of range, but judging on the weekend the poor guy had, it wasn't anything too shocking. Hopefully the enzymes are just up right now from having to metabolize all that alcohol and will go back down, but we won't know for sure until we recheck them in 6 months.

As for Duncan, since the moment he threw up he has been acting like nothing ever happened. This dog is seriously retarded, but I love him. I can't help but wonder, though, how many lives a dog gets. They always talk about cats having 9 lives, but no one says this about dogs. Whatever the case is, this dog is going through them pretty quickly. 

Thank you, Santa!

Christmas was an overall success. Being that Mason just turned two, goes to a Jewish daycare, and has fairly non-religious parents, I was amazed that he even knew who Santa was at all...but, of course, he knows. Or at least knows enough to count. The week before Christmas, Todd and I took Mason to see Santa at the Sears Mall (he is apparently the best Santa in town). The whole way there all Mason could talk about was Santa this and Santa that...and of course when we get there Santa is feeding his freaking reindeer. So we walked around the Sears Mall for 20 minutes or so to waste time before Santa came back.

Mason surprised us all. I really thought he would be the typical two year old that is so excited and then bursts into tears the moment he sees Santa. There was a moment of hesitation as we walked up to sit on his lap, but that was soon over and Mason chatted the poor man up like they were old friends. Up til this point, all Mason could talk about has been trains...but ask Santa for a train? No...that would be too simple. He asks for a dump truck.

I know exactly the dump truck he wants, even though he isn't old enough to verbalize it. For his birthday his great-grandparents gave him a Lego Duplo set that has a mixer and a loader with this crane thing...and there is a picture with it of the dump truck that you can buy separately. This is the dump truck of which he speaks...and it is also the dump truck that is no where to be found in Anchorage. So, being the good mother I am, I immediately get online and order it with express shipping.

I just couldn't have his first Christmas asking Santa for something turn out to be a bust. I promised Todd, and myself, that this wouldn't happen every year. But how can I say no to this face?

Christmas Eve Todd had to work, so after I put Mason to bed I set up the stockings. Along with the dump truck, Santa also brought Mason Tidmouth Sheds (Thomas the Tank Engine's home) and some train tracks. Let me tell you, setting up those tracks was a pain in the ass! I am by no means and engineer, and I just kept growing more and more frustrated! I did manage to get them together in a decent pattern eventually and off to bed I went. I think it turned out ok...

Christmas morning we went to my parent's house and had breakfast and Mason opened his gifts from the family. Then we came home to see if Santa had come to the house. Oh my goodness, was that kid excited! I'm surprised he went down for a nap as easy as he did! Christmas dinner was at our house, which was fun and also worked out perfect for Mason, who was able to play with and show off all his new toys.

The next day Mason was still so excited about Santa and all his new toys. He went around to every piece of track saying "Santa bring this, Santa bring this". Then he went over to the window and screamed as loud as he could "THANK YOU, SANTA!"

New Toy

I convinced Todd a couple weeks ago that we needed to buy a new camera. We've had a pretty basic point and shoot digital for a while now, and I have been growing increasingly frustrated with it. It just isn't fast enough to catch our very active 2 year old.

Todd and I shop for things very differently. Todd does a lot of research, goes back and forth, price checks, asks people he knows...you get the picture. I am a little more impulsive, once I decide I want something I generally just go get it. But this time I tried to be a little more like Todd, especially since I don't know much about cameras. I didn't go quite as in depth as Todd normally does, but for me, I did quite a bit of research.

I decided on the Canon EOS Rebel T1i. We haven't had it long, but I LOVE this camera!!! It does everything I want it to and so much more. I couldn't be happier and now I can capture all these wonderful times we're having with Mason.

Garage Fun

Last night I decided to pull my car out of my garage, turn the heat up, and let Mason ride his bike around. This turned into over an hour of bike riding, coloring with sidewalk chalk, dancing, and trying out his new 4-wheeler that his great-Nana got him for his birthday. Mason had so much fun, and Todd and I were so glad that it was something active! I'm really hoping the weather warms up again soon. This is getting miserable!

Helping Daddy move my car out of the garage

Ready to ride

What a happy boy. I just love that face!

Concentrating very hard here driving the new 4-wheeler

Having a blast!

Winter smiles

It has been really cold in Anchorage lately (welcome to winter in Alaska, right?). Mason's daycare can't play outside until it is at least 20 degrees, which hasn't happened in weeks! Needless to say we've all been getting a little stir crazy. We've been spending more time at the "inside playground" and at the "book story" which are Mason's words for Arctic Playgroundz and Barnes and Noble. But like all true Alaskans, sometimes you just have to bundle up and go outside to play...even if it only lasts for about 15 minutes before you're frozen!

Bundled up and ready to go

Didn't make it further than the front yard, but it was still a blast

It has been too cold to actually snow much lately (yes, it can be too cold to snow) but we made our own by throwing the snow up into the air. It was fun as long as it didn't actually land on Mason...then he got a little pissed. Throw on Mama or on Daddy? Awesome fun. 

Four

My nephew Landon is now four years old! Happy Birthday, Buddy!

We had a fun time neon bowling and then went to Nana and Papa's house for cake & ice cream...and of course presents! It was a fun time and I know we were glad to be able to share it with him.

The Digits

Found out that the neurologist in Chicago gave me a 4 on the EDSS. This is up from 2.5 in June.

I have pretty mixed feelings about this number. First, it definitely correlates better with the new symptoms I've been having lately than my MRI. But on the other hand, I don't feel like I'm that bad! As far as the study goes, this clinical trial definitely is unique in many ways. First, the only blinded person is the neurologist. Everyone else, including me, knows what group they're in. Pretty hard to placebo a stem cell transplant. Second, for those of us in the control group, if our EDSS number goes up, and stays up, there is an option to cross over into the treatment group.

Since my number went up, if it is still up in 6 months, I'll have the option to transfer into the treatment group and receive the stem cell transplant. We'll see what happens. Until then I'll continue my monthly Tysabri and go back to Chicago in 6 months.

Home Again, Home Again

My flight home Thursday was pretty uneventful...just the way I like it! Historically, I have never been a good flier. I don't like anything about flying, except for the vacation part that is usually attached. I hate airports, the huge crowds of (cranky) people, being cooped up in an uncomfortable seat, visions of crashing, well, you get the picture. I have come leaps and bounds over what I was 10 years ago. I used to literally throw up before getting on a plane. I could make it through security, but by the time I got to my gate I would be so worked up from nerves, I would puke. And I would NEVER get out of my seat. Ever. I can now fly without puking, get up and pee if I need to, and I've even been able to relax enough a couple of times to get a little nap in! I still will NOT change my seat, though. If my plane crashes, I need people to know I am me, and if I change seats they may not be able to tell right away who is who.

Ok, I got a little off track there. Basically, I'm home again with my boys. Mason keeps talking about "Mama on plane" which is soon followed by "Mama HOME!!!". Next time I'm going on a plane will be February, and all three of us are going! And it will be to Mexico to enjoy the sun and the sand...not the ice and the wind of Chicago.

In other news, I had my 7th Tysabri infusion today and found out that my blood test for the JC Virus (the virus that is thought to be causing PML/death in Tysabri patients) was negative! This lowers my risk of getting PML significantly and gives me one less thing to worry about. Yay!

In the dark

Here's my last two days in a nutshell...

First, to start out...Monday night I went to a near-by pub to get some food and watch the football game. I was surprised to find quite a few Patriots fans there. I actually met a girl from Mass who was here for work (she works for Medi-tech).

Tuesday I totally slept in. Well, I guess considering that AK is 3 hours behind Chicago, I guess I didn't sleep in THAT late, but either way it felt awesome! Then I went over to the hospital for my lab work. They weren't able to access my medi-port, but the woman in the lab was great, and I only needed to have 3 tubes drawn this time. Then I wandered Michigan Avenue for a while, ducking into stores as needed to warm up. I did grab lunch, where the strangest thing happened to me.

Waiter/bartender: "When you figure out what you want, just write it down and I'll be back." Swear to god this is what he said as he gave me a pen and pad of paper. It was crazy. It wasn't like I had been there for very long, either. Just long enough to order a Diet Coke. Anyway, I told him that when he decided he wanted a tip to come back and take my order. He did.

Later Tuesday I had my brain and cervical spine MRI. Again, they didn't access my medi-port but the nurse did a great job starting my IV. I had taken some anxiety medication before, so I survived my time in the tube.

Today I got up and hopped on the L to Rush University. I had to cover my hair and my nails for this appointment, which was kind of strange. The neurologist is super funny and a little crazy. He did my EDSS and sent me on my way. After that appointment I went back to Northwestern to see the study doctor. He spoke with me briefly and then his nurse did the same cognitive tests I had 6 months ago. No fun!

Up until now, they have always told me what my EDSS number is. Today, however, they wouldn't tell me. I'm a little frustrated by this, I feel like I definitely have new symptoms since 6 months ago, but the EDSS is a nice way to gauge where I am. It is also what they use to determine if I can cross over into the treatment group eventually. I did get my MRI results, which were much better than last time. No new or enhancing lesions! This is the first MRI I've had that something hasn't changed since I've been diagnosed. I just wish that my symptoms would correlate with my scans.

So, now it's time to head home. One more get up :)

On the road again

Here I am, back in Chi-town. I left Anchorage on the 11:30pm flight and arrived here in Chicago a little after 8am. I love that AK Airlines does a direct flight, but holy hell is that a long flight! I did actually manage to get a little sleep, but I was most excited about the fact that I totally rocked the crossword in the AK Airlines magazine.

I am so comfortable now with the CTA train system here, which makes everything so much easier. I hoped on the blue line at O'Hare, then the red which led me almost straight to my hotel. I used Hotwire for the first time this trip, which I was a little nervous about because it doesn't actually tell you where you're staying until AFTER you've booked/paid for the room. So far, I'm pretty happy. I got a great deal on the price of the room, and it is literally looking over Michigan Avenue (home of the Magnificent Mile). My window is actually right across from the John Hancock Tower.

So, I got some lunch and crashed for a couple hours. It's now 5:30pm and I feel like I could go to bed already but I know that's a terrible idea. Besides, tonight is the big game! Pats vs. Jets! I'm planning on heading out soon to find some dinner and hopefully a big screen to watch the game on. I have to admit, though, it's really weird to not have a game come on until 7:30pm!

Tomorrow I have lab work and my MRIs. I'm also planning on doing some wandering/shopping. No big plans, but that's fine with me. It will be nice to be able to sleep in!

Of course, as fun as it is to be in Chicago and sleep in and shop...I miss my boys already. It's hard to leave Mason for sure, and it's also hard going to all these appointments alone. Todd would come with me if I asked, and he of course offered to many times, but it's more important to me that Mason's life stay as normal as possible. Besides, this time is only for a few days. It is definitely both a blessing and a curse that Mason doesn't really understand what is going on. I don't think I could handle if he cried knowing I was leaving...but it would be nice if he could understand that I'm coming home Thursday, too.

I'll update you all tomorrow.

Birthday Day!

Mason's birthday was so fun. All day on Thanksgiving (his actual birthday), he went around telling everyone that it was "Birthday Day!" and I'm pretty sure he thought Thanksgiving dinner was all for him. My mom made him his own mini pie that we put 2 candles in after dinner, which he completely devoured. Then on Saturday we had his birthday party. As I've said before, birthdays are a big deal in my family, and I love it. We invited family and a few friends to the house and Mason had a blast...he can be a little quiet at first, but once he decides to turn it on, look out...he is a little ham! It should be no surprise to anyone that knows Mason that he had a "choo choo" party. Thomas the train was everywhere and Mason was in heaven! What a fun day. For two or three days after he kept asking for his friends to come over and have more choo choo party. He is definitely ready for gift opening at Christmas! What a difference a year makes!

Here's a few pics from his big day. Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures of him opening his presents (I was a little busy during this time). Luckily I know my mom and aunt have lots of pics, so I'll just steal theirs eventually.

 My mom makes the most amazing cakes! This one had a tracks in a giant "2"

complete with new Thomas characters. Mason was thrilled with his cake, and 

kept talking about the tunnel and loved pointing out and naming all the
characters. Mom even made train candies that went around the sides of the cake. 

Mason showing everyone how old he is now!

Getting ready to blow out that candle and dive into that yummy cake.

Frosting face. Always a good sign the cake was a hit!