Read more about the article We could use your thoughts and prayers today
Maggie / Thoughts and Prayers

We could use your thoughts and prayers today

My family is battling enough but now we are adding to it the fact that our beloved dog Maggie, is going in for surgery this morning to remove what is very likely a cancerous tumor on her right leg.  I've explained to the boys what's going on, without mentioning cancer. They don't need to carry that burden right now.  Tonight as I was brushing Maggie, I found another lump. This one is on her back and right in the middle of her spine. That wasn't there a week or so ago and that's concerning.  I'll let the vet know in the morning and we'll decide what to do.  Maggie's 10 years old and so she's getting up there in age and surgery becomes more risky.  Anyway, please keep her and…

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September 24, 2015
Read more about the article I could use some thoughts and prayers please 
Thoughts and Prayers

I could use some thoughts and prayers please 

It's going to be a really challenging day. I've got about 3 hours of driving to do, in order to get both Elliott and Gavin to the immunologist in the morning.   Between Elliott's anxiety and Gavin's having to stop every few minutes to use the bathroom, my patience will be tested.     I'm actually going to bed really early because both Elliott and Gavin are going to be struggling and I need to help them through the appointment.  Good night everyone.  

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September 15, 2015
Read more about the article Maggie’s got cyst like growths popping up
Maggie / Thoughts and Prayers

Maggie’s got cyst like growths popping up

Maggie is our 10 year old English Staffy/Boxer mix. She's been one of the best decisions we ever made for our family. While Bella was loved and missed when she had to be rehomed, if anything happened to Maggie, it would be devastating.. While brushing Maggie this afternoon, I discovered several lumps under her skin.     These lumps are a little bigger than an average sized marble. They are beneathe the skin and seems to be sorta floaty and squishy. Maggie is a very muscular dog and so they weren't as apparent.  She's acting fine but these are concerning and I'm going to get her into the vet sometime tomorrow or Tuesday. Maybe they're just swollen lymph nodes but maybe they're not. 😕 She's also got these black skin tag…

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August 30, 2015
Read more about the article I really need thoughts and prayers today folks
Cleveland Clinic / Gavin / Thoughts and Prayers

I really need thoughts and prayers today folks

It's going to be a really, really busy day.  The boys will be with my Mom for the day, while Gavin and I make our way to the Cleveland Clinic. This appointment is the first of its kind for Gavin and so I'm really nervous. We will be at The Cole Eye Institute for most of the day. We will be with a genetic counselor for awhile before Gavin undergoes some new tests to help determine the cause of some of his health issues.     What they believe he has is something called Jalili syndrome and of course it goes without saying, that this is extremely rare. Gavin never does anything halfway.  lol/sigh We will likely arrive home just in time for the long overdue family therapy session at Dr.…

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August 25, 2015
Read more about the article Prayers Needed: Gavin may have Jalili Syndrome 
Cleveland Clinic / Gavin / Thoughts and Prayers / YouTube Video

Prayers Needed: Gavin may have Jalili Syndrome 

The video below will provide more details but if you just want to know what's going on, here's the deal.  I received a phone call yesterday from The Cole Eye Institute. This is the premier eye center at The Cleveland Clinic. It was a genetics counselor working with one of Gavin's precious doctors.  Gavin's been to The Cole Eye Institute a few times for very detailed exams.  These exams were looking for neurological issues that would hopefully give us a direction to go in. He eye exam was fine but they noted issues with his teeth that we already knew about.  Gavin is lacking enamel on some of his teeth and has had to have metal caps installed as a result.  http://youtu.be/W6OMwtqw99I They took detailed pictures of his teeth as…

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August 22, 2015
Read more about the article Emmett could use some thoughts and prayers tonight
Emmett John / PFAPA / Thoughts and Prayers

Emmett could use some thoughts and prayers tonight

Poor Emmett. He just can't seem to catch a break anymore.  For those who aren't aware, Emmett's been dealing with a rear fever disorder known as PFAPA. I'm gonna let you follow the link and read about it yourself because I'm really tired and only have a few minutes.  It appeared as though Emmett had outgrown this disorder because the cycles just sorta stopped or at least the most obvious symptoms did.  While he spent most of last year pain free, the cycles have once again reared their ugly head.  Emmett finished a cycle about two weeks ago and has began another one today, right on schedule. 😔 He's absolutely miserable.    The above image shows what these mouth sores look like.  As the 10 day cycle progresses, these sores…

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August 15, 2015
Read more about the article Elliott cried himself to sleep tonight :(
Elliott / Thoughts and Prayers

Elliott cried himself to sleep tonight :(

Poor Elliott's heart was broken again tonight. 😔 The boys had therapy tonight with Dr. Pattie. When we got home, Elliott found what would turn out to be a baby squirrel. In fact, there would be a total of 4 newborn baby squirrels found.  Apparently, they had fallen about 40 feet out of the nest and landed on the sidewalk. Frankly, it's pretty miraculous that they survived in the first place.     These little guys are way to young for me to try and take on myself but we got them wrapped up in a warm blanket and safely stored in the house for the night.  I'm raising my kids to cherish all life and that includes helpless baby squirrels.    In the morning, they will be going to the…

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August 11, 2015