Tuesday was the start of a new chapter for Eila and the rest of the family. After a completely normal day, we discovered blood (and nothing else) in Eila's diaper when getting her ready for bed. We immediately went to the urgent care clinic. After giving the information to the nurse, we changed her diaper and waited for the doctor. During our 20-25 minute wait, Eila's new diaper became 3x more full of blood, so urgent care sent us to the emergency room.
Joel, Eila and I spent several hours in the ER (thanks Kristin for staying at our house so Annikka could go to bed), and it was determined that the blood was coming from her bladder. She was admitted to the Corvallis hospital that night for observation - they had her on an IV and wanted to monitor fluids going in and out while they waited to talk to the nephrologist (kidney specialist) in the morning at OHSU in Portland. The nephrologist wanted Eila transferred to OHSU's Doernbecher Children's Hospital for testing. Grandma came up from Eugene to take Annikka home with her, while Joel, Eila and I prepared a bag to spend an unknown amount of time away.
While our arrival at Doernbecher was a bit scary and intimidating (who wants to have to bring their 15 month old to a children's hospital), we were happy with how quickly the teams of doctors and nurses sprung into action. She has blood work done and ultrasounds taken. From these we learned 1) Eila has a fully functional right kidney; 2) she has a large mass growing from her left kidney. This was the cause of the bleeding into her bladder. This news meant that we were transferred to the hematology/oncology unit at Doernbecher (up one floor), and introduced to our new team of doctors (to be joined by a surgical team as well).
So we've gotten a few answers, which have only led to big and scarier questions. Hopefully tomorrow will bring more news - she needs a CT scan to better determine the extent of the mass, so the surgery team can make a plan. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We'll do our best to keep this updated for all our friends and family.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Howe cousins
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Here are our three adorable little girls, and our attempts to get them together for a few pictures.
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
And of course, the original Howe cousins, too!
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Howe family reunion
We had a wonderful week with the Howe family in MN/WI, the only downfall was that everyone didn't get to see the real Eila - she was running a fever for 7 of the 9 days of vacation. :(
There was a lot of sitting around with her like this:
But she would perk up at times, so we all did still get out and have fun.
At the beach in Prescott, WI:
You can't pass up the Mall of America's amusement park if you have a ~4 year old (especially if she's been there once before and knows about it). Uncle Jerod convinced Annikka to go on the Log Chute ride!
Annikka also requested going to the Franconia Sculpture Park, which was followed by a scenic boat ride on the St. Croix:
And we had another boat outing on the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.
Then it all wrapped up with Ruthie's baptism and a quick trip to the Como zoo.
Of course we took way too many pictures to post them all here, so feel free to check out the web album for more.
There was a lot of sitting around with her like this:
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
But she would perk up at times, so we all did still get out and have fun.
At the beach in Prescott, WI:
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
You can't pass up the Mall of America's amusement park if you have a ~4 year old (especially if she's been there once before and knows about it). Uncle Jerod convinced Annikka to go on the Log Chute ride!
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
Annikka also requested going to the Franconia Sculpture Park, which was followed by a scenic boat ride on the St. Croix:
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
 |
| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
And we had another boat outing on the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers.
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Then it all wrapped up with Ruthie's baptism and a quick trip to the Como zoo.
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Of course we took way too many pictures to post them all here, so feel free to check out the web album for more.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Good-bye bosches, again
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
We have said good-bye to Annikka's bosches, again. Tonight they went into the garbage. And this is really it, no turning back.
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Although it might look as though all everything went well, there was some crying once she was actually in bed without one. We're trying positive reinforcement this time, so if she makes it 14 nights without crying/whining for a bosch, she gets to choose a reward. And we're emphasizing that now there's only one baby in the house using a bosch.
We are very ready for this change. Wish her luck!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Rock star
Here's a funny little video of how Eila likes to sing with the piano.
Clearly she's practicing to be a rock star.
Clearly she's practicing to be a rock star.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Day 1,404 of Annikka's Charmed Life
How many baseball games did you get to attend when you were a kid? Not many, right? Well Annikka is averaging one a week this summer.
This Saturday was mascot night at the Knights game. Six different mascots (and an Elvis impersonator) were in attendance. Annikka got her picture taken with most of them.
Red Robin:
Mattress Person:
Mack the Knight (as always):
Sluggo (the Eugene Emeralds' Mascot):
Sparky (the firedog?):
Smokey Bear was the sixth mascot, but for some stupid reason he walked on the field between innings but didn't walk around the stands. Annikka was really disappointed.
(And don't you feel bad for her?)
This Saturday was mascot night at the Knights game. Six different mascots (and an Elvis impersonator) were in attendance. Annikka got her picture taken with most of them.
Red Robin:
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Mattress Person:
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Mack the Knight (as always):
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Sluggo (the Eugene Emeralds' Mascot):
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Sparky (the firedog?):
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| From July/Aug 2011 |
Smokey Bear was the sixth mascot, but for some stupid reason he walked on the field between innings but didn't walk around the stands. Annikka was really disappointed.
(And don't you feel bad for her?)
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