Update on the kids

I am still having some issues and am working on them and things are slowly coming back together. Time will help alot.

In the meantime, Isabella's MRI 2 weeks ago showed a growth in one of the spots on her liver. Her AFP is only 11 but that doesn't rule out cancer. This type of cancer is very good at hiding and doesn't typically show up in bloodwork until very advanced. Isabella had a lap biopsy outpatient in June and it was benign. But there is concern that because it was done laparscopically we may not have hit the right spot. So tomorrow, the drill happens again. We had our first open, full surgery biopsy that resulted in the removal of the HCC nodule 12/07. Tomorrow we will be scheduling another open biopsy. Not really a biopsy but removal of both spots on her liver and to see if they are cancer or not. I imagine the surgery will be in the next 3 weeks. I don't have much time off left and it doesn't reset until the first of the year and I am trying not to use FMLA becuase it will reset on 3/31/09. So if we were to progress to transplant it is wise that I don't use it right now. I am going to try and get it scheduled very near Thanksgiving because I had that Thursday and Friday off already. I hate this for her.
I look at her and think I know something you don't and that you can't begin to understand and you have to have surgery again. I feel guilty. She is just the most wonderful girl. She has blossomed and has this personality of steel. She is amazing. But it breaks a little piece of my heart every time we have to do something to her to make sure this cancer doesn't kill her. I hope she understands when she is older.

Landon doesn't really have alot going right now. We will be doing a pacemaker checkup soon and then cardiologist in January. Developmentally, he is improving day by day. He is more vocal and interactive. He still isn't sitting unassisted but he is developing more strength and growing like a little weed. We are working on the spoon feeding with him and he is doing decently. But we still do those caloria packed smoothies!! Some Mothers disagree with it, but he is gaining weight and growing! He can also drink thin liquids so much better. Which tells me that his oral motor skills have improved tremendously. We don't have a real problem with gulping and gulping air. You just have to pull the bottle out before he gets overwhelmed since he can't do it but can hit the bottle for you to pull it out.

I am the luckiest person and the most blessed I know because I have them in my life. They are my reason for most everything I do.