Possibly the Worst Road Trip Ever

This may be the longest “7 hour” trip we've ever taken – and we get to do it again on Tuesday. I think it is going to be closer to 9 hours. We have had a rough few days. Riley has some sort of virus that is causing diarrhea and vomiting. We knew when he was still sick Friday we would not be able to make the trip to Duke on Saturday for Riley's 9 month post transplant appointment. Luckily, he only threw up once yesterday, and so far, none today. The diarrhea is another story. Joel and I have developed quite a system for changing pull ups in the van. Unfortunately for Joel, he gets the bad end of the deal, but that was just how the logistics worked out! I spoke a little too soon – Riley just spit up a little. It's 10:31pm, so he almost made it through the whole day. I'm not sure why, but he asked for a gulp of beer when he was done. Number one, we don't have beer in our van on our trip, and number two, we would never give it to our seven year old son, but he says it just like it is the most normal thing in the world. He also informed us tonight that he quit and he does not have a job. Later, he said he wants to get a job!

The first clue that it was going to be a rough trip today was when Riley was up until 2:20am this morning. That was an improvement from 3:30am on Friday night. Both nights he was up eating, so I stayed up and accommodated his many changing cravings since it was the first solid food he had had in days. He was up again at 3:40am and 4:40am this morning. The second clue was when didn't leave until 2pm this afternoon. We knew we would have to take a longer route since 40 is still closed from the rock slide, but we have gotten to see some beautiful snowy landscapes in Virginia, but that is about the only good part of the trip (besides it being safe so far, knock on wood). When we first got in the van, the GPS showed our ETA as 9pm. With every stop we make, and they have been numerous, it gets later and later. I believe we are up to about 11:30pm. As I am typing this, Riley is asking me to “hand over a suitcase”, and telling me he wants visitors. Now, he asked me for a washcloth, so I handed him a baby wipe and he has washed his face and hair with it, I guess getting ready for those visitors!
Or, he is just so tired he is delirious and looking for a way to stay awake.

I think we are all a little delirious, and unfortunately, Riley has to be a Duke at 8am. I am praying it is not another late night. There won't be much in the hotel room to keep Riley entertained, or to feed him during those late night cravings. Riley has been doing some praying of his on. He has been saying, “Praise the Lord, Dr. Martin”. I can't wait to see what he says and does when he sees him tomorrow. We had to give him something to help him sleep so hopefully that will start kicking in soon, but who knows, he has also had it the past two nights and it did absolutely nothing. It could be a long few days. I want to wish Rich and Olivia Gonzalez both a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and Shannon and Rich Gonzalez a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. I have been so bad with the holidays and birthdays this year, but my thoughts have been with them all day today. Sorry guys, I'm still carrying your cards around with me.

Well, we are here. We are all three in bed and it is 12:12 now and Riley's sleepy medicine is still not working. Now I know tomorrow will be a long day! Night Night.