Tuesday, October 14, 2008 in the Evening

Good evening all. So sorry for my delay in writing, but we have been otherwise occupied with Zman and life in general over the weekend. Houston and Jackson had a great weekend with their Dad and Christie and I had a restful weekend with Zander until about 4:00 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Ashley, Zander's night nurse woke us early Sunday morning. Zander was bleeding from his nose, mouth and trach. We quickly readied ourselves and whisked the little guy off to the ER. On our way he had an outpouring of the red stuff and we proceeded to accelerate our arrival at the ER.

After being in the ER for a few hours and Zander receiving a breathing treatment that assisted in closing the capillaries in his nose, throat and lungs. Dr. Ledbetter (pulmonologist) came in to see the little guy. We felt so bad that we pulled him in from church, but Dr. Ledbetter said we did not need to worry about it. We are fortunate to have him as one of Zander's doctors.

In any event, we were admitted to the hospital and Dr. Harvey (Dr. St Charles partner, an ENT) scoped the nose, the mouth and the lungs/trach on Monday. We are happy that he did not find anything, but at the same time concerned that he did not find anything. While performing the procedure he did enlarge the left nostril/cavity, but told us that Zander will need surgery to correct and expand the nasal cavity and to correct the cohanal stenois in his nose/sinuses.

We were discharged late yesterday and Zander has been just fine since then. There have been no signs of blood at all since coming home. Dr. Harvey and Dr. Ledbetter both said that he may have had an infection that came to a head, so he is now on a new antibiotic. He does not agree with Demoral (sp?) a pain killing medicine that was given to him during or soon after surgery. While the Zman was coming down off the medicine he thrashed around and acted violently. Chrisite and I found it amusing a first, but soon realized that he may be allergic to it.

At this point, Christie and I are trying to catch up on sleep. She got little if any sleep while at the hospital. I came home Sunday night (there is no room at all in the rooms) and tried to sleep, but those efforts did not produce much sleep at all. We are happy and thankful that everything went well. Zander did just fine on his 69 night in the hospital. Before being discharged, Zander had visitors from church.

Machelle and Abby Hall came by to visit today and the above picture is of Zander and Abby. She has been praying for Zander everyday for several months. Zander enjoyed his visit with her and it was good for Christie to see Machelle and catch up.

Thanks to all for the prayers, comments and concerns for our baby and family. We will keep you posted. Please keep Raymond Powell, Ethan and Zander in your prayers. We are blessed. God is still in control and we are thankful for each breath he gives us.

Rest easy boys. Sleep tight Zander. We love you all.

Clancy

Friday, October 10, 2008 JACKSON's BIRTHDAY

Hello all. Yet another week under our belts. We hope everyone is doing well. Today is Jackson's 7th birthday and as you can see from the pics above, we had a little party for him.

He was very excited and I think he is going to turn it into a weekend long celebration.

Houston has wrapped up his exams and report cards come out soon. He says that he did well and I am sure that he did.

Zander is having a good week. He has been a little blocked up so we have had to utilize enemas and now Senakot Syrup (per Dr. Kelley). Zander has a few more doctor's appointments coming up next week. I will have to consult the calendar to see which doctors he will see next week. We have been able to get him out of the house for walks this week and he seems to enjoy them. For now, he is just a wiggly happy little guy. Zander is now resting. I guess he is getting ready for football on Saturday.

Christie and I are doing well, but tired. Christie has been a trooper this week and I know taking care of everything around here, while I am at work, takes a lot out of her. I know she enjoys it, bue she does not let on that she is tired.

Please keep Ethan, Raymond Powell (and family) and everyone in your prayers. Please also keep a friend of ours in your prayers. He is in Little Rock, Arkansas getting treatment for cancer (which involves stem cell transplantation) and it appears things are going well.

Thanks as always for the prayers, comments and encouraging words. I can't forget the food from SMMHS teachers and staff. We thank each of you very much and I especially want to thank each of you for keeping my wife and family in your thoughts. I know what each of you have on your plates on a daily basis and I am truly thankful for your generosity to my family and friendship to my wife.

I will write again soon. Until then,

Rest easy boys...keep moving along...we love you.

Clancy

Monday, October 6, 2008 in the Evening

Good Evening all. Just a quick post tonight. We hope everyone is doing well. We had a great weekend and Zander, Houston and I watch football together on Saturday. Notice Zander has the remote next to him.

We are still praying for intervention into Zander's hearing issue. The boys are well and Houston is in the middle of exams this week. Christie is doing well and it appears that it will be another hectic week.

I will post again soon. I have to get the boys bathed and in bed. Thanks for coming down today Grandma Judi. It was good to see you.

Please keep Zander, Ethan and Raymond Powell in your prayers. Thanks as always for the comments, encouraging words and prayers.

Rest easy boys. Keep moving along.

We love you.

Clancy

Friday, October 3, 2008 in the Evening

TGIF everyone. We hope everyone has big plans for the weekend. Jackson has a soccer game tomorrow and it appears that Houston and I will be watching a little football with the Zman tomorrow.

Zander has been busy the past few days. He has been out in the neighborhood the past few days and we took him on a long walk this afternoon. Earlier today, he visited with Dr. Ledbetter, his pulmonologist. Dr. Ledbetter said that everything looked good and he actually discontinued the use of the apnea monitor. Yeah!!!!! That is one less monitor that he is on. The only monitor that he is on now is the SAT monitor which measures the oxygen saturation in his blood. Better yet, he only has to be on it at night as long as we keep a close watch on him. Of course the nurses are keeping a close watch as well.

Zander also went to physical therapy today and it went well. We did get some bad news today after he had a more complete hearing test. At this point, it does not appear that he is hearing anything. The audiogram was not an all inclusive test and Christie and I are still praying that the coanal stenosis (narrow nasal and sinus cavity on the left) is a significant factor in his lack of hearing, but I am worried about his lack of hearing at this point. The audiologist has referred us to his ENT (who we see in about two weeks) and hopefully he will give us better news in this regard. Each day with the boys, including Zander is a blessing, but I am down on the hearing issue at this point. I know that whatever the outcome, it will be okay, but the little guy has overcome so much already...it just is frustrating.

Chrisite and I have decided that Zander will be more mobile with us around the house. He has now been home for two weeks and since he does not have as many monitors anymore, he is going to be with us where we are in and around the house. If we watch the game downstairs, Zander will be there. If we are on the porch, he will be there. He has essentially been in his room for the past two weeks and now is the time to include him in family activities. In fact, he watched the nightly news with us tonight before the nurses' shift change.

Thanks again to everyone for the comments, prayers and encouraging words. Please keep Raymond Powell and Ethan in your prayers. I did hear from Ethan's mom and they are headed to Cincinnati this weekend, so please bathe them in prayer as they meet with the specialist for Ethan. We will keep praying for them and also for Zander's many issues including his hearing. Let us know if we can pray or help any of you in any way.

Godspeed Ethan. We hope you have a safe trip and a good visit with the specialist.

I will write again soon.

Rest easy boys...Play hard tomorrow Jackson. Keep moving along Zman. We love each of you.

Clancy

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in the Evening

Good evening all! Sorry for my delay in writing, but it has been a hectic week. The boys are doing well and the Zman is resting comfortably tonight.

It has been great weather here and as the pictures above show, the family has been doing some walking throughout the neighborhood taking in the colors and changes that come with the season.

Houston and Jackson are enjoying school. Zander is enjoying his naps and formula. We have 3 doctors appointments over the next two days. Zander sees the endocrinologist, his pulmonologist and one other specialist this week. There are so many, I have trouble keeping up.

Christie and I are doing well. Aunt Christy and Jessie came to visit yesterday. Grandma Pat and Mrs. Serre also stopped in today for tea with the little one. Karen from church came by to see Zander and Christie today. Karen is the children's minister at RBBC and she has been an uplifting spirit for all of us. Thanks Karen for everything.

We hope everyone is doing well. Zander was asking about Ethan earlier and we have not heard from him, but hope all is well. Thanks to everyone for the food, especially the teachers and staff at SMMHS. The delivery girl (Robbin) needs a raise and I know our tips have not compensated her enough. Zander also wanted to give a shout out to all his nurses in the NICU. He said he misses each of you, but he is glad to be at home. You can come see him anytime.

Please keep the Powell family, especially Raymond in your prayers. He is going through radiation and chemo at present and our prayers are with him and his family. God is in control and we are confident that His grace will pull you through Raymond. Thanks for all the comments and prayers....we are truly blessed.

Rest easy boys......keep moving along. We love you all.

Clancy

Sunday, September 28, 2008 in the Afternoon

Hello Everyone! I have been watching football all weekend with my Dad. Man, I did not know that it takes so much out of you. That is why most of the pictures are of me sleeping. Sorry to hear about the Gators, the Bulldogs and the Vols. My dad is trying to get me to pull for the Auburn tigers or the Alabama Crimson Tide. I have not decided which one I will go with I guess it depends on which one sends me the most formula and diapers. I am holding out for the best offer.

On Friday, I went to the hospital for a 30 minute procedure, but they kept me there for 24 hours. Apparently, the doctor that gives me the medicine to make me go to sleep for surgery said that since I was on an apnea monitor, I had to be admitted for observation. My procedure went well and I have been home since Saturday morning.

Mommy, Daddy and I just got back from a walk around the neighborhood. I like being outside and seeing all the interesting things around the house. My brothers should be home soon, so I am going to take a nap and get rested for them. I heard my brother Jackson played a really good soccer game yesterday. He may have to teach me how to play when I get older.

I have more doctors appointments later this week. I will write again before then, but please say hello to everyone and keep writing to me. I do not have an email account yet, but I think my dad might get me a cell phone soon (just kidding).

Thanks for praying for me and my family. They are doing a good job taking care of me as are my nurses. Please send me a line and thanks for the comments and encouraging words. Please also pray for Ethan and my Dad's friend Raymond and he is starting Chemo or Radiation treatment this week.

I will keep moving along. Tell my brothers that I love them. I will say my prayers.

Love,

Zander (Typist, Clancy)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 in the Evening

Hello everyone. We hope that the week is going well for each of you. All is going well here on Boulder Place. I hope to have more pics tomorrow night....sorry. Zander had his first visit with Dr. Hatch, his pediatrician, yesterday. Zander has an infection in his left ear and he is on antibiotics. Tomorrow he is schedule to see Dr. Kelley (surgeon) for another dilation of his esophagus. He will be put under general anesthesia and the procedure will take about 20 minutes. We pray that all goes well. It has been hectic since he has been home. We are still trying to work things out with the insurance coverage. Christie and the boys are doing well. We have a tremendous amount of support coming from the teachers, students and staff at school. We are truly grateful, not only for them but for each of you. We will let you know how tomorrow goes. Until then, we pray for safety for everyone and if there are specific requests, please let us know. Please keep the Powell family in your prayers. They are close friends of ours and Mr. Powell is undergoing radiation and chemo therapy for cancer. We know that God has him in his hands and we will continue to pray for complete healing and strength for him and his family. Old Buddy, keep moving along. Thanks to all for the prayers, comments and encouraging words. Until next time, Sweet dreams boys. We love you. Clancy