Cincinnati Children's Hospital

We arrived in Dayton on Monday night after just missing the snow storm that hit Colorado. The flight went OK...we were delayed in leaving so we had to run across the Chicago Airport to make our connection. Because of that, we left our old iPad on the plane never to be seen again (or so I expect). Otherwise we made it in with no problems.

The next day we drove an hour south to Cincinnati. We are actually staying over the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky, but it's all the same city. We got settled into our hotel with no problems other than the occasional wrong turn. That just happens when you visit a big city you've never been to before.

On Wednesday we woke up early to be ready for a day at the hospital. We had three appointments but all of them were initial office visits. The second and third appointment were with Genetics and Anesthesiology and went as expected. We had already seen Genetics in Colorado and didn't expect anything from this appointment. If something in this area was the problem, it would be obvious in many other areas (down syndrome, energy/fatigue issues of mitochondria, etc.). With a multidisciplinary approach you have to check all of the boxes though. The anesthesiology consult was just in preparation for next week's procedures.

Our first appointment was with the main G.I. doctor that we would be seeing here at Cincinnati Children's, Doctor Ajay Kaul. We were really impressed with him overall. He had reviewed the case and knew why we were here. He talked to us and explained what tests we were doing, why we were doing them, and what areas of the G.I. system were to be tested. He explained potential complications or combinations of complications that could be going on as well as the 3 classes of problems.

For a little more detail on the 3 classes, they are either 1) structural (narrowing, flaps over the pylorus, etc.) 2) nervous system related (motility, sequencing of stomach/intestinal contractions, etc.) or 3) sensory related issues such as having a very sensitive stomach that feels full to the child even though it's really not. We don't expect to find anything in class 1 since we've done many tests that this should have shown something there. However, the CT scan scheduled for Friday is double checking that. Most of the tests we're doing fall into class 2. We are finally able to do a "real" gastric emptying test now that Jonathan can eat solid foods.  Previously we had to liquid studies which are generally not very reliable. The manometry test will reveal any issues with the sequencing as well as the strength of contractions in areas around the stomach and beginning of the small intestines. The other thing we are going to do is inject botox into his plylorus (opening at the bottom of his stomach) and also open it with a balloon. This will last about 6 months, and if a narrowing or misfiring is the cause, we will see significant improvement almost immediately. Throw is a few scopes and we should have covered our basis.

If nothing comes back on category 1 or 2 than we are left with a sensory related problem. These are hard to treat, if at all, but the good news is that these generally just improve over time.  This is something that he could grow out of as he gets older.  With this and the past tests we've had done, we're feeling pretty good about getting some sort of answer.  In a 15 - 20 conversation with Dr. Kaul we were told and explained things in a way we've never heard before.

Halloween Fun

Who's ready for some trick and/or treating?  Marshall from Paw Patrol and his sister Kitty are!

Open Enrollment Cover

A couple of weeks ago a coworker (Michael) approached me about taking some pictures for this year's open enrollment newsletter. He told me that Internal Communications was looking for some shots of people being active...like running and working out at the Compassion West gym. Apparently I'm the go-to-guy when it comes to exercising. Actually, I just sit a few desk away...so...

On a Friday morning we met behind the building and Michael had me run back and forth at various places along the trail.  A few nights prior to the shoot I had to run out and buy some new clothes to look the part. I realized all my clothes either had paint stains or were really old. Not exactly photo shoot material.

The money shot finally came under a beautiful blue sky...well, sort of.  Not really. It took me awhile to realize it, but compare the first and second pictures below.  Study them carefully.  I was photo shopped!  I am not sure if the final version that went on the cover of the newsletter is from two or three photos. It's the same shot of me running and the buildings, but the blue sky was definitely an after the fact add.  What I don't know is if the picture of the ground behind me is part of the original picture or if it was added.  I'm guessing it's the same picture.

There were a few other good shots that were taken that Friday morning.  As you would expect we took a bunch of pictures and only used one...or two made into one.  This newsletter was mailed out to every employee and the cover picture is currently posted all around the building in the usual announcement locations.  I've had several people mention it...but told not to quit my day job...
 

Student of the Month

Congratulations Julia!  She was the October student of the month for exhibiting "responsibility". This is quite cute for those of us in the family that get to witness this in Julia every day at home. I think she's more responsible than many adults, let alone the other second graders in her class. In case your wondering, this is the second medal of her elementary school career.  

Julia was very happy about it when I got home.  She talked about how the entire class and teacher surprised her with a "Julia is awesome" cheer, how she got her picture taken with the principal, her picture being added to the bulletin board in the hallway at school, etc.

She is a pretty amazing little girl and we are so thankful to have her as our daughter.

Fritzler Farms

Today we piled in the 4Runner and drove up to a small town just south of Greeley for some fall fun. This was our first time at Fritzler Farms. The kids had a great time.

The first thing we tackled was phase 1 of 2 of the corn maze. The original plan was to let Jonathan and Julia lead the family through a phase on their own, but after a little while we realized that it was going to be too difficult for them.  We wandered around phase 1 for a little over 45 minutes until we found our way to the finish. We didn't attempt phase 2 since we ran out of time.

We all went down the big slides, raced around a small dirt track on pedal go-carts, jumped on the giant pillow and rode the mini barrel train twice.  It was a little pricey and outside of the corn maze felt a little like a carnival, but it was still a lot of fun. We got back home around bedtime, but it was a fun fall destination for the family.

The Godfather...

...made me an offer I couldn't refuse - after buying a new car of his own.

Welcome 4Runner to the mob family. Now don't you all worry, this doesn't mean I'm getting rid of my truck.  It was more like I had a three car garage and needed to fill each stall.  It's been great to drive the past week or so. We even took our first mini road trip as a family last weekend and all sat in the back with the tailgate open for a picnic lunch.

It's a 2005 Limited with about 88k miles on it. Based on the number of miles I put on a car each year, this vehicle may be the perfect fit for two future high school students I know.  We will see.  This will also allow me to really work on (possibly "restore") my truck with no interruption to daily transportation needs.

Kids Say the Funniest Things

"Style, fashion and cuteness are sorta my thing" - Julia, age 7

Ready, Set, Go Jonathan!

This is one cool kid.  Check out his report card and some pictures from his class' trip to a local pumpkin patch. I heard all about the black tube slide on top of hay bales and the mini-bowling. He had a great time!

Random Julia Pictures

Julia's reading and match scores (off the chart, of course).
Julia's second grade school picture.
A great family photo with Umpa and Oma after Julia's first XC meet. 
Pictures of Daddy-Daughter time at Color Me Mine. $50 for two coffee mugs (and memories)!

First Cross Country Meet

We signed Julia up for Cross Country this year. It's nothing official, just a running group through her elementary school that meets twice a week before school starts. Stacey and I have been taking turns running with her at practice. It's been really fun to do this with her, not too mention the physical benefits for Julia.  She usually puts in about 2 miles at each practice, so afterwards I get in another mile or so before heading off to work.  I don't remember her grand total, but it's probably somewhere in the 20 mile range.

This is a video of her first "meet".  Her age group ran all the way around the school property once. There was a lot of family support for all runners.  Go Jules, Go!