Waiting for MRI results

Owen's MRI went well this morning, although he didn't wake up too happy.... and little did we know that he wouldn't be able to walk after. He has his legs back now though and he's walking around just fine. We're headed to VT for the weekend - should be a nice weekend.

Home instead

So we don't have to go to the hospital... the oncologist didn't have all the facts. He didn't know that Owen had fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, etc.... all viral symptoms. He thought it made perfect sense that his loss of balance was associate with his viral infection. As you can imagine we are so relieved!!! Owen's MRI is still scheduled for Friday. We hope to have good news by Friday afternoon.

Headed to the Hospital

Since Owen's balance is still off we were hoping for an MRI today but it appears that Yale could not coordinate one (as a team of anaesthesiologist needs to be available too). The beautiful thing about Yale is that the only do pediatric MRI's on Mondays and Fridays so if we don't get one today we would need to wait for our scheduled appointment this Friday. Instead of waiting, we're going to our oncologist today at 1pm and he's going to admit Owen to the hospital with the hope that he'll receive an MRI soon. We'll keep you posted.

Prayers for Owen

Owen begin with fever on Wednesday night and has had a fever until tonight. On Thursday the doctor said that Owen's ears were red (not quite an ear infection) and put him on antibiotic. Then on Friday Owen kept losing his balance and by the early evening he couldn't seem to stand without falling. Both the pediatrician and oncologist advised us to take Owen to the Yale emergency room, where we stayed until returning home at 3am. Due to concerns with his hydrocephalus and tumor, a CT Scan was taken. We were fortunate the the CT Scan showed the hydrocephalus was the same; meaning his ventricles were enlarged but not more so than usual.

The question that remained though is why is Owen losing his balance. The neurosurgeon said that there were two possibilities - either he has a virus or his tumor has grown. We strongly believe that his symptoms - fever and chills, loss of appetite, and, as of today, a rash - are due to a viral infection. Owen regained his appetite this evening and is walking better. Although his MRI is scheduled for Friday, it may be moved up to tomorrow. We are hopeful that the MRI will show that the tumor has remainded the same size. We ask that you continue to pray for Owen - thank you!

Butterflies, Sunflowers, & More Dancin'

Owen is really enjoying the summer. Last weekend we went to the Butterfly exhibit at Roger Williams Park Zoo in RI. Although there was a "please do not touch the butterflies" sign, Owen was tyring his best to capture one (and he did get one). We also explored the zoo. I think eating the red freeze pop was his favorite thing about the zoo. Then we went to Sunflowers for Wishes, a fundraiser for Make A Wish. It was awesome to see the 400,000 sunflowers... and Owen loved the hay ride. This past weekend we stayed in CT. Uncle Jarred and Melissa came to visit and Uncle Jarred repainted Owen's room - it's now a big boy blue color (pictures to come). Then on Saturday night we headed over to Walnut Beach for a concert on the pavilion - Owen danced the night away. Check out the video above and watch for his shoulder move (he bounces his right shoulder up and down).

It's hard to believe that almost three months have went by since Owen's last MRI. His next one is less than two weeks away on Aug. 14th. Also, we received Boston's opinion this past week (regarding the May 22nd MRI), and they agreed with Yale's opinion, which is to continue MRI's every 3 months. Eric and I are very faithful that the tumor will appear the same and the hydrocephalus will continue to improve. Owen is doing so well and for that we are grateful!

Dancin' on the beach

Owen had a great time in Rowayton last night... and we did too. He loved dancing to the music on the beach and playing in the sand. He had fun with his friend Addie. Heading to bed now because we never know when Owen will wake us next... this teething is so tiring... but he's working on his bottom two eye teeth and then we're done until the two year molars - maybe then he'll sleep through the night (just maybe).

4th of July & Fireworks

Happy 4th of July!

Owen enjoyed the fireworks.

Owen's first cotton candy - yum, yum!

What a cute face!

Family photo at Adams Farm.

My own tractor.

Owen holds the bunny and then lets him run away (whoops).
Aunt Stephanie with AJ.

Owen feeds carrots to the goat.

A carrot for the horse.

Happy Father's Day Dad.

Happy Father's Day Pepere.

Emily, Sue, and Sarah Beth.

The last few weeks have been busy... we celebrated Fourth of July in Vermont. Owen enjoyed our first mini vacation. He loved going to Adams Farm and feeding the animals - Eric let him give carrots to the goats and he enoyed every minute of feeding the animals. He also enjoyed holding a bunny. Owen had fun at the 4th of July fireworks too - he enjoyed the pre-fireworks activities of eating cotton candy and dancing the to band. Stephanie, Dan, and AJ joined us for two days as well. This weekend we're in NY for AJ's baptism - I'm the proud godmother. Next weekend - we're staying home!!

Owen is walking a lot more now and adding new words to his vocabulary each week. Every now and again he suprises me with words. When we were in the market I told him that we needed to get cheese and then he said "cheese." Then Eric and I were joking around saying let's have "booz" (alcohol) and Owen said "booz"... hopefully he won't walk around saying "booz."

Also, a few weeks ago my America's Junior Miss "host" family from Mobile, AL was visiting their family in CT. It was such a treat to see them. They really are a wonderful family who holds a special place in my heart because they always treated me like I'm part of their family.