On Sunday night (August 23) as I was laying in bed, the phone rang. It was my mom saying that they were on their way to Sioux Falls because Rodney had been admitted to the hospital and they didn't know what was wrong. I was most worried because my mom seemed upset. They were going to do a blood transfusion asap because his platelets were so low and then begin running different tests.
On Monday morning there was another phone call. We were hopeful that it was just an infection until we heard that many of the tests they had done had ruled out what they were hoping it would be. The doctors were suspecting leukimia. What! He is a perfectly healthy young man and his family needs him. Around noon Rodney had a bone marrow biopsy done but we were holding out hope that they were wrong. So we waited for the test results.
Tuesday's emotions were too great for words. The doctors were 99% sure that he had an advanced form of acute leukemia. I couldn't stop sobbing all day.
On Wednesday morning he would have started chemo but the doctors were waiting for a test result to come back from Mayo clinic to confirm their diagnosis. More painful waiting.
Thursday evening the doctors were 100% sure of his diagnosis after the last test result came back. There was nothing different left to hope for. He would begin the most aggressive chemo treatment starting the next morning. We are all devastated and still shocked!
Friday morning his chemo started. I'm so sad that they have to go through this!
Since then he has had good days and bad days. I'm thankful for the Caring Bridge sight that Kerry has set up so that we can get up to date info on what is going on. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rodneylamfers/journal
I just returned from a visit to Sioux Falls. It felt good to give hugs to everyone there, share our heart's hurts, and help out a little. There is no way anyone could go through this without knowing that there is a God who is still in control. God, we are asking for a complete miracle of healing for Rodney. He is so dear to all of us.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
milestones
Nearly 2 weeks have gone by since the last post and there are many memories that I want to try and capture. (I wrote this on Monday and was thinking that I would add to it before I sent it. So much has happened this week I'm going to start another entry soon.)
I'll start with Dorian.
We were making brownies together one morning. Dorian was stirring the batter. I had asked a couple of times if mommy could finish, but he wasn't ready to give over his favorite job. A short while later he said, "Your turn, mommy." As I was stirring Dorian gently patted my back and said, "Be careful, mommy, be careful...almost done?" I guess it's clear what is usually said to him when it's his turn. :)
I was washing dishes after dinner and Dorian and Levi were playing together in Levi's room. Dorian came walking in saying that he was thirsty and proceeded to get his milk out of the regrigerator. When I looked up, he was carrying his sippy cup as well as his brother's. It was so sweet of him.
Levi...I can't believe how fast he is growing up!
He is walking everywhere and gaining more stability and strength everyday! We were playing in the basement a few days ago and I was checking my email. I looked over to see that Levi had managed to crawl up on the kid's chair (which I've seen him do before) and then onto the table! I'm going to have to keep a close eye on him now...he's fast, curious, and doesn't know what could hurt him.
He's saying new words all the time. I was amazed to hear him say "cracker" and "blankie" at appropriate times. He often says "what's that?" and "look at". I can just see that he is constantly soaking in everything that is going on around him.
We took Levi's pacifiers away this past weekend. If it would have been up to Nathan he would have never started using them. We had a number of very sensitive talks about them and I've finally come to terms with taking them away. That doesn't mean that I don't feel badly for him when he has to cry himself to sleep. Thankfully the crying has never lasted a long time. And hopefully he'll forget about them in a couple days. We're both handling it quite well I think.
I'll start with Dorian.
We were making brownies together one morning. Dorian was stirring the batter. I had asked a couple of times if mommy could finish, but he wasn't ready to give over his favorite job. A short while later he said, "Your turn, mommy." As I was stirring Dorian gently patted my back and said, "Be careful, mommy, be careful...almost done?" I guess it's clear what is usually said to him when it's his turn. :)
I was washing dishes after dinner and Dorian and Levi were playing together in Levi's room. Dorian came walking in saying that he was thirsty and proceeded to get his milk out of the regrigerator. When I looked up, he was carrying his sippy cup as well as his brother's. It was so sweet of him.
Levi...I can't believe how fast he is growing up!
He is walking everywhere and gaining more stability and strength everyday! We were playing in the basement a few days ago and I was checking my email. I looked over to see that Levi had managed to crawl up on the kid's chair (which I've seen him do before) and then onto the table! I'm going to have to keep a close eye on him now...he's fast, curious, and doesn't know what could hurt him.
He's saying new words all the time. I was amazed to hear him say "cracker" and "blankie" at appropriate times. He often says "what's that?" and "look at". I can just see that he is constantly soaking in everything that is going on around him.
We took Levi's pacifiers away this past weekend. If it would have been up to Nathan he would have never started using them. We had a number of very sensitive talks about them and I've finally come to terms with taking them away. That doesn't mean that I don't feel badly for him when he has to cry himself to sleep. Thankfully the crying has never lasted a long time. And hopefully he'll forget about them in a couple days. We're both handling it quite well I think.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
the east coast
July 29 - August 8. NJ & NY. Fun memories!
Wednesday was going to be a long day buckled in our seats in the minivan. We were a little worried when we were about 15 minutes down the road when Dorian asked if he could have a different vacation. :) Thankfully shortly therafter, we saw a pond and some cows which were entertaining to him.
I'm so thankful that we were able to stay at Brian and Katherine's house for a few nights. I told them that it would sure be nice if they would move closer to us so we could see them more, but that I wasn't willing to make the move to the east coast. I'm a midwest girl. Mikayla is growing up so fast. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I guess I was anyway, that she has changed so much even since we last saw her in June. Dorian and Levi loved playing with Uncle Brian and Aunt Katherine and Mikayla...and they loved having all new toys to play with.
On Thursday we drove over to Grandpa and Grandma Tintle's house. Grandma made a delicious lunch for us. Mom Tintle came as well. Dorian was thrilled to get a little ride in the moving truck and to see great grandpa's trains. The boys were great which was a huge blessing since we were only able to be there for such a short time and it was right over nap time. Around 4:30 we left to drive into NYC to have dinner with Suzanne. Dinner was a little crazy...the boys really needed to get down and play but we were trying to eat and enjoy some time together. We did take a short walk over to Central Park after dinner so Dorian could run around a little bit. Suzanne seems to be happy with med school and her new boyfriend. It was great to see her even though our visit was short.
On Friday Nathan flew to Washington DC for a 2 day conference. I drove down to see Danielle and meet Sammy for the first time. What a blessing to spend some time with Danielle again. I miss friendships like hers. Our conversations certainly weren't the same with 3 little children as they were during the college years...many more interuptions, changing diapers, feeding babies, etc. She reminded me that during the stress and business of our first year of teaching we would often wish to be married with children so we didn't have to work full time. :) Now that we're at that stage in our lives, I knew what she meant without saying anything else. We agreed that next time we got together we'd take our husbands along to help with childcare. :)
Katherine and I spent Saturday morning getting ourselves and the little ones ready for the day. Brian was around in the afternoon. After naptime, the kids played outside and Brian helped me get our van packed up. When Nathan arrived around 6:00 we headed out and drove up to the lake house. We didn't arrive until 11:30. I was very tired.
In a way, it was nice that it was gray and rainy on Sunday. It was nice to unpack our bags, relax, and not have anywhere to go. Most of us had naps in the afternoon. After settling in I was ready for our week at the lake house.
Monday was a beautiful, sunny day! The lake was calm. It was Mom Tintle's birthday. We took the boat over to eat out for breakfast overlooking the lake. Jillian, Cara, and Drew were with us. The view was absolutely beautiful! Breakfast was delicious. Boating was a lot of fun! When we got back to the house, we swam, ate lunch outside, and then took turns tubing.
Tuesday through Friday included: a day trip to Ausable Chasm, a day trip to an aquarium in Burlington, VT, a date night, a canoe ride, & swimming.
I was sitting next to Dorian when we were driving in the van one evening, and I said as I often do "you're a good boy Dorian". Most times when I say this he has no reaction. But I'll never forget what he matter-of-factly said back to me that night. "Yes, I is." My heart melted.
Dorian's favorite activity while on vacation was throwing rocks, one by one, into the water. We'd get a bucketfull of rocks, look at each one as if it was the most special rock ever, and then throw it into the water and watch it splash. It brought about hours of fun.
Levi was taking a lot of steps on his own on our vacation. I think I can say that he is officially walking now. He's definitely not steady, but he likes to be on his feet.
It was a good vacation. Dorian agreed. And now it's good to be back home.
Wednesday was going to be a long day buckled in our seats in the minivan. We were a little worried when we were about 15 minutes down the road when Dorian asked if he could have a different vacation. :) Thankfully shortly therafter, we saw a pond and some cows which were entertaining to him.
I'm so thankful that we were able to stay at Brian and Katherine's house for a few nights. I told them that it would sure be nice if they would move closer to us so we could see them more, but that I wasn't willing to make the move to the east coast. I'm a midwest girl. Mikayla is growing up so fast. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I guess I was anyway, that she has changed so much even since we last saw her in June. Dorian and Levi loved playing with Uncle Brian and Aunt Katherine and Mikayla...and they loved having all new toys to play with.
On Thursday we drove over to Grandpa and Grandma Tintle's house. Grandma made a delicious lunch for us. Mom Tintle came as well. Dorian was thrilled to get a little ride in the moving truck and to see great grandpa's trains. The boys were great which was a huge blessing since we were only able to be there for such a short time and it was right over nap time. Around 4:30 we left to drive into NYC to have dinner with Suzanne. Dinner was a little crazy...the boys really needed to get down and play but we were trying to eat and enjoy some time together. We did take a short walk over to Central Park after dinner so Dorian could run around a little bit. Suzanne seems to be happy with med school and her new boyfriend. It was great to see her even though our visit was short.
On Friday Nathan flew to Washington DC for a 2 day conference. I drove down to see Danielle and meet Sammy for the first time. What a blessing to spend some time with Danielle again. I miss friendships like hers. Our conversations certainly weren't the same with 3 little children as they were during the college years...many more interuptions, changing diapers, feeding babies, etc. She reminded me that during the stress and business of our first year of teaching we would often wish to be married with children so we didn't have to work full time. :) Now that we're at that stage in our lives, I knew what she meant without saying anything else. We agreed that next time we got together we'd take our husbands along to help with childcare. :)
Katherine and I spent Saturday morning getting ourselves and the little ones ready for the day. Brian was around in the afternoon. After naptime, the kids played outside and Brian helped me get our van packed up. When Nathan arrived around 6:00 we headed out and drove up to the lake house. We didn't arrive until 11:30. I was very tired.
In a way, it was nice that it was gray and rainy on Sunday. It was nice to unpack our bags, relax, and not have anywhere to go. Most of us had naps in the afternoon. After settling in I was ready for our week at the lake house.
Monday was a beautiful, sunny day! The lake was calm. It was Mom Tintle's birthday. We took the boat over to eat out for breakfast overlooking the lake. Jillian, Cara, and Drew were with us. The view was absolutely beautiful! Breakfast was delicious. Boating was a lot of fun! When we got back to the house, we swam, ate lunch outside, and then took turns tubing.
Tuesday through Friday included: a day trip to Ausable Chasm, a day trip to an aquarium in Burlington, VT, a date night, a canoe ride, & swimming.
I was sitting next to Dorian when we were driving in the van one evening, and I said as I often do "you're a good boy Dorian". Most times when I say this he has no reaction. But I'll never forget what he matter-of-factly said back to me that night. "Yes, I is." My heart melted.
Dorian's favorite activity while on vacation was throwing rocks, one by one, into the water. We'd get a bucketfull of rocks, look at each one as if it was the most special rock ever, and then throw it into the water and watch it splash. It brought about hours of fun.
Levi was taking a lot of steps on his own on our vacation. I think I can say that he is officially walking now. He's definitely not steady, but he likes to be on his feet.
It was a good vacation. Dorian agreed. And now it's good to be back home.
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