Shortcuts through the last month

"There are no shortcuts through the forest of life."

Years ago I had a poster with a forest picture and this quote. I have no idea who said it, but I always liked it.

* * * * *

Sigve is still doing very well. He has started to gain weight again, though slowly. All blood tests are satisfactory. The liver tests that I wrote about last time are back to normal after he increased the Sandimmun medication. The biopsy showed that there was no infection, so the conclusion was that the increased levels were due to a slight GVH (graft-versus-host) reaction. As I have mentioned before, that slight reaction is desired as it indicates that the transplanted cells are working. Research has also shown that those who get that reaction have an increased protection against the reappearance of the same kind of leukemia. So now he stays on the increased Sandimmun dosage for another month, and then he does the decrease process again, and hopefully he will eventually be able to come off the medication altogether. 

* * * * *

Since my last blog post, which was way too long ago, we have had

grey skies and still waters,

blue skies,

and sunshine,

and even the odd blizzard. 

Fortunately, that snow didn't settle at all.

Birds have found the food I put out for them.

We have watched the snow and ice melt,

and found what I hope are 

the last snow hearts of this winter season.

We have taken walks, climbed up and down, 

and had fun throwing rocks in the water.

We have seen regal swans,

and even scared up some geese.

We have found rock hearts, 

and seen the first signs of spring.

We have witnessed the most amazing sunrise,

glorious sunset,

and stunning northern lights.

But the most magnificent experience of all is getting to know Helmer.

We have crossed the Bømlo bridge several times,

and caught the ferry to Tysnes,

to see Helmer, who is growing so fast, 

and has become so much more alert and sociable,

interacting with us, 

keeping a steady eye contact for long periods of time.

His little hands have started exploring his world,

but they also hold on to mommy's hand for comfort.

His little feet sometimes move like drumsticks,

and his toes are just too cute.

I recognize features in him from his parents, his uncle, 

his grandparents, his great grandparents 

and even his great great grandparents.

It is so amazing to see the visible connections between 

the preceding generations and the new.

Everything is linked together, and whether we like it or not,

we are influenced by those who have gone before us.

But each of us are also our own person in our own right, 

with the ability to create our own life and destiny. 

For now, and for quite a few years to come,

he depends on his parents, and his extended family,

to provide for him all he needs to build the best possible 

foundation, so he can grow up to be a well adjusted person,

and have a happy and fulfilled life.

What a responsibility, and also what a privilege that is,

and I am so grateful be a part of it!

Hospital week

This week just disappeared in hospital visits. 

First out was the scheduled check-up in Bergen on Monday. We drove up from Tysnes on Sunday afternoon and spent the evening with Brita and Ketil. Later we parked the camper van in the hospital parking lot and had 5 minutes to walk to the doctor's office in the morning.

Sigve did all the blood tests, a bone marrow test and thorax x-rays. The 2 stitches from the removal of the Hickman catheter were also removed. So now he has to draw blood from his arm, at the regular lab, so no more VIP treatment! 

There were no surprises this time either, since we already knew about the increased liver value levels. It was confirmed that he would be admitted to Haugesund Hospital for the liver biopsy on Wednesday. The raised levels could be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection and would be treated with the appropriate medication, or it could be an onset of Graft-Versus-Host disease. As a preliminary precaution the Sandimmun dosage was increased again, and if it's confirmed that that's what it is, the treatment will be a course of high dosage cortisone for a couple of weeks. The doctor repeated the info about GVH being a desired response to reducing the Sandimmun dosage, and also that those who have this response are better protected against the reappearance of the leukemia than those who don't. But it's a matter of a hairline balance of just enough and too much.

Monday in Bergen started off very foggy, but around midday, when we headed back to Tysnes, the fog burned off, and the sun came out. Along the way some amazing scenes appeared, with low fog over open water and the sun shining above.

As always when we drive, my camera was in my lap, ready for action. Sometimes I shout for Sigve to stop, and sometimes I just point and shoot out of the window.

Sigve was admitted to Haugesund hospital on Wednesday, and the biopsy was performed on Thursday morning. After a shot of local anesthetic, and guided by the ultra sound machine a hollow needle was shot into the liver, and came out again with the sample. Afterwords he had to lie still for an hour, and couldn't eat for 2 hours. 

He was supposed to go home the same day, but they decided to keep him over to Friday to keep an eye out for possible hemorrhaging. The sample was sent to Bergen for analysis, and we expect to hear from the doctor when the results are ready. 

Sigve has been wearing his new hearing aids for 2 weeks now, and they seem to be working out great. We don't have to shout at him, and he doesn't shout back. That was actually the first thing I noticed, that he started speaking in a much softer voice.

Tomorrow we go to Tysnes for the day. Can't wait to see Helmer again! Haven't seen him since Tuesday.

Watching sports with Granddad is serious business.

Helmer started copying us when we stuck our tongues out at him :-)

Today I'm so grateful for the excellent follow-up Sigve is getting from both Bergen and Haugesund Hospitals.

Meet the dogs -

- and all the other animals in our lives.

* * * * *

But first, a short update on Sigve:

The blood tests on Monday showed raised values connected to the liver (sorry, I don't know the details, and can't even explain it in norwegian!). So he was called in for extra blood tests and a liver ultra sound examination on Thursday. Those blood tests showed a continued raise, and the doctor wants him to be admitted to Haugesund Hospital on Wednesday for an over night stay, and to have tissue samples taken. 

On the positive side, since he's in the process of reducing the dosage of Sandimmun, the medication that prevents Graft-Versus-Host disease, so a slight attack of GVH is desired, and it indicates that the whole process is working. 

He's due for a scheduled check-up in Bergen on Monday, so we'll get some details then. But the doctor in Haugesund had emphasized that this was developing slowly and there was plenty of time to find out exactly what caused it, and to treat it. 

I'll be back with more info after Monday.

* * * * *

So, here is our miniature schnauzer Isa at 2 months, in January 2006.

And here she is today, a grown lady at just over 5 yrs.

She is pure bred, with a long pedigree, but we decided right from the start that we wanted a family dog, and not a show dog, so we have not kept her fur in show condition. And anyway, any chance she gets, she'll make a mess of herself, whether it it's in snow,

 or dirt.

But this is her most favorite place in the world.

Isa has spent a lot of time with Hilde Marie and Jon Helge on their farm, right from when she was a puppy, when we travelled. Last fall, while Sigve was in hospital, and for a while after, Isa couldn't live at home. I travelled back and forth to the hospital in Bergen, and when Sigve got home, keeping an animal in the house was too big an infection hazard. So Isa ended up living on the farm for 4 months. 

There are lots of friends to play with on the farm. 

Here she is with her great big friend Aira.

Aira is Hilde Marie and Jon Helge's Irish wolf hound.

Sometimes Big Isa (border collie/Irish setter) visits from Bergen, 

and Daisy (dalmatian) visits from Sweden.

And when they all get together, 

there's a lot of sniffing and playing going on.

Aira is such a gentle giant, and has always 

been tolerant of Isa's juvenile behavior.

Here's Hilde Marie and her brother Geir Espen 

with Aira, Big Isa and Daisy.

Some of the cows, and no, that's not Noah's ark behind the rock :-)

The ponies. I think these are Sunshine in the back, 

and Demonica Lucille (born 06.06.06, hence the name).

Tiril, the female miniature pig.

Isa meets Henry, the male miniature pig for the first time,

and that's me holding him!

Henry has grown a bit now, from the cute little piglet he was.

Tiril and Henry's latest litter.

Isa also loves to go camping with us in our camper van. 

Visiting her friend Millie, auntie Olaug and 

uncle Jan in Kristiansand is heavenly.

Here is Geir Espen playing with Millie and Isa.

Gratitude continues, every day, for everything, big and small. Gratitude replaces negativity; the two feelings are incompatible. Gratitude for every day we get to spend together. 

Gratitude for every day we get to spend with Helmer. He's so amazing, and a blessing to us all. Today he started copying us when we stuck our tongues out to him :-)

A moment between mommy and son.

Watching sports with granddad.