Quick Trip

I can't believe it has been over 2 months since I've posted. What once was so therapeutic has become more painful for me, reliving each day through these posts. However, I did want to let everyone know we are at Duke for a quick clinic appointment with Dr. Martin. As I write, we are waiting for someone to come in and draw blood for labs, and since Riley's port was removed during his last hospital stay in June in Chattanooga, he will have to get stuck. No fun! Also, Riley is having his mickey button, or g-tube removed today. It will be the last foreign object in his tiny little body.

We arrived in Durham last night, way behind schedule and we were all exhausted. After some room service, we put Riley to bed and tried to unwind a little. It was a good night and we all slept well. We woke up early so we could have breakfast with one of our favorite nurses who just came back to the bone marrow unit after spending nine months working in the unit in San Francisco. It was great to see nurse Connie, and Alisha, we will catch you next time!

We arrived at Duke a little ahead of schedule, rare for us, and went to have vitals done. Riley has grown almost an inch since our last trip here in April. He still weighs around 46 lbs, which is probably more a function of his incredible metabolism than anything else. He eats well, but he is constantly moving and jumping and doesn't slow down until he crashes at bedtime. I had to take a little break from writing this because they just came in and removed the g tube. Joel had went to the bathroom. I really wish I would have made them wait until he was back – a little gross for me. It was a very simple procedure and the doctor did it while he was standing up! Now we just have blood to be drawn and to meet with Dr. Martin. We will leave as soon as we are done and drive to Asheville, NC for the night. We are hoping to have a little more free time in Asheville to do something fun to make up for the sticks and pricks today.

Fast forward several hours. We are in our hotel room in Asheville. The weather is nice, we are in a great hotel and in a great area. Unfortunately, we are too tired to take advantage of being here. We ordered room service again tonight and just finished giving Riley his bath. The g tube site is a mess and more than I can handle, but I guess I will have to get use to it. It should be closed up completely in a couple of weeks or so. Maybe we will feel a little more adventurous and will do something before heading back to Chattanooga.

When we get back to Chattanooga, my mom will be there. She is coming in to help with Riley while Lexi, the nanny is on vacation, and for Riley's 8th birthday! It is hard to believe it has already been a year since his sad little party in the hospital last year. Nonna and Papa (Joel's parents) came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. It was great to see them but it went by too quick. Also, Riley went back to school August 11th. We just love everyone in the multiple disabilities class at Apison Elementary. Riley seems to really like it there. Last, but not least, our good friends, Shannon & Rich and their children, Ben and Olivia moved/are moving to Chattanooga. Shannon has been staying with us for over a week and Rich brought the kids this past weekend. The kids and Shannon will be with us another week and a half or so, then Rich will come back in time to close on their house. It has been great having Shannon, who is like family, with us.

Those are just a few updates from the past couple of months. I will honestly try not to go so long again without updating.