Marathon day of medical issues...

So we took my oldest into the pediatric orthopedic specialist today.  He hasn't been able to walk much at all since Sunday evening - so we are definitely hoping for some answers.  The doctor didn't find anything "structurally" of concern (through examination and an additional x-ray) so he ordered some "STAT" lab work.  We drove down to the hospital and went to the outpatient lab so they could draw some blood.  Immediately after they finished with the last vial (5 or 6 total) my son went very pale, clammy and looked like he was falling asleep (all while dry heaving at regular intervals.)  They called for a "quick response" (I think that was the term) and got him onto a stretcher and down to the ER.  All of this was made somewhat more difficult by his lack of mobility and pain from the underlying condition that brought us to the hospital in the first place.  He quickly stabilized, but he was still looking all pale and tragic.  They moved him over to Minor Care and had a pediatrician look him over.  The pediatrician said there was nothing wrong - BP, pulse, blood oxygen, blood sugar, etc., all normal - and that it was probably just basic wooziness over needles.  We watched David Attenborough while they periodically checked his BP.  After the third check they declared him fit to be released.  He got a popsicle and I wheeled him out of the hospital about two hours after we had checked into the lab.

All that drama and we still have no idea what is wrong with our little boy.  The ER pediatrician mentioned something about kids recovering from colds and having localized pain about 3-4 weeks later, but he didn't elaborate.  My son has made comments about building ramps in our house for his wheelchair - or at least having an "upstairs" and "downstairs" wheelchair for him to use.  I don't think we're anywhere near that point - and told him so - but the idea has crossed my mind (worst-case scenarios come naturally to parents, especially to me when you consider who my parents are!)

Tired and out of words,
Brad

Why can't parents "make it all better"?

My oldest went into the doctor last week.  His hip was doing better after his limping rather severely through Saturday night and Sunday.  However, the pain has now moved to his left hip/thigh.  He was having difficulty even getting off of the couch for dinner due to the pain.  After dinner he was in his room crying due to the pain.  It absolutely devastated me.

Right now he is watching Charlie Brown's Christmas with his siblings.  If he is still in as much pain as before, we will have to call the doctor and perhaps head to the ER.  I hope not.  I hate the ER, and I know he would too.

Again, why can't I just make it all better?
Brad

Can I be "proud" on Sunday?

Yesterday was Fast Sunday (if you're not LDS, you may have to look that up on wikipedia or something) and my family had a pretty impressive day.  I have regularly fasted for the standard two meals (Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast works best for me) while my older son fasts for just Sunday breakfast.  My wife has not fasted since early 2008 due to pregnancy and nursing.  Well, yesterday she joined us in fasting for Sunday breakfast.  It was an awesome experience overall.  None of us complained or acting like we were hungry, tired or miserable through the entire experience.  I even think we had a noticeably more positive spirit in the home while we were fasting.

Another part of Fast Sunday that I am "proud" of is the testimony meeting part.  We have been sharing our testimonies with each other as part of Family Home Evening for several months now.  My wife and I have been encouraging our boys to share their testimony in church.  We have tried to set the example by having at least one of us share our testimony each month.  So Sunday I tried something a little different...I asked if one or both of them wanted to go up with me so we could share our testimonies "together."  My younger son eagerly accepted my offer and we went up together.  Once we finished my wife repeated the offer to my older son.  One of the young men in our ward (who was sitting in front of us) got in on the "let's go up together" discussion (reverently of course) and so all three of them went up and shared their testimonies one after another.

Overall, it was an amazing day!  My boys are growing up so fast.  It's a good thing to see them growing up in righteousness too.

Brad

For the first time in 2 years...

Today we broke out the Christmas decorations and began "festivizing" the house.  We haven't selected a tree yet, but we knew we had to get a start on decorating.  All of the kids were very excited.  Last year we were in Utah for Christmas, so we didn't decorate our house at all.  So the older two are excited to get back to decorating, while the youngest is experiencing her first "aware" Christmas at home.  I had a great time!  Once we got some lights in the windows, I turned off all the other lights in the house and we just watched and listened to the Christmas music in the background.

The holiday season has definitely started!
Brad

On my honor, I will do my best...

After a preliminary visit in early November, we signed our older son up for cub scouts tonight.  He had a great time (again) with the other boys.  They drew pictures of themselves "being good citizens" and then shared their drawings with each other.  They also practiced "fall out!"  When my son asked what that meant (after the meeting) I could only come up with "It means get out of your bunks (or barracks) and line up!"  I'll have to look it up online (with him) so we can learn together.

Of course, I was a cub scout.  I earned every skill award and Webelos pin available.  I think I even earned the Arrow of Light.  I then entered Boy Scouts and tore through the requirements quickly.  I was a Life Scout by age 13 (or 14, I forget.)  It was the year I turned 13 that my dad became seriously ill with cancer (brain tumor) and we moved from a ward with a large and active scouting program to a ward that had a small and fairly weak one.  Dad had been an Eagle Scout himself, and was highly active in our scouting program.  He had really helped me stay focused.  Due to his illness, my attention was distracted and ultimate turned to other academic and musical pursuits.  Though I never earned my Eagle I can honestly say I don't regret it (when my son earns his I may feel regret at not being able to sit in the Eagles' nest at his court of honor - so that may change.)

That being said, I am looking forward to scouting with my boy ("boys" if my younger son decides to join) for the next several years.  Maybe they'll end up being big-time Scouters like their grandfather and great-grandfather.  Or they may be like their father and his brother and pursue other interests.  Either way, I will enjoy the adventure with them.

Brad

One big step forward...

Today my Dean and I met with the VP of Academic Affairs for my semi-annual non-tenured faculty conference.  Both of them were impressed with my performance over the past 6 months.  The VP suggested some activities that I should pursue during the Spring and Summer to strengthen my tenure application (due October 2011) but did not indicate any areas where I needed any change or improvement.  He is therefore recommending (to the President) that the Board of Trustees renew my contract for the 2011-2012 academic year.  That basically means that I am 99.9% certain that I will be renewed.

This is a great relief.  I enjoy what I do and I think I do it extremely well.  It's a good feeling to have my supervisors say so.

Looking forward to receiving the official letter from the Board later next week,
Brad