So Very Hard

Marcus is bad today, really bad. He is so stiff he can hardly walk and he has fell down twice that I have seen. I say it that way cause he hides a lot from me. He doesn't want to appear 'weak' as he put it. He also doesn't want to take his medicine so every dose has been a struggle so far, well until today. Today he is actually asking for it.
This is the hardest thing, as a mother, that I have ever been through. I thought him being sick so much when he was younger was rough but this tops it. At least back then you could see the light at the end of the tunnel. You knew that sooner or later that he would be getting better.
Now every day he is just worse it seems with the exception of a good day or two now and then. It is so hard watching an energetic, athletic 10 year old walk like an old man from the stiffness and pain and not being able to do a damn thing about it!

What's Up With Marcus

Marcus was in Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis for a few days for pain control and further testing.
His lower back, both hips and the back of his knees starting hurting him terribly. We seen his pediatrician who done some more blood work on Thursday but when the pain would not let up despite major pain meds I along with his doctor and a rheumatologist at CG decided he needed to be seen in their ER.
He was admitted during the visit and we stayed there Saturday morning till Tuesday evening. During that time he received a Morphine IV for the pain and had a lot of blood work done.
Here is what we know......
It looks like he may have Lupus.
His ANA test has came back positive three times now. On Thursday the titers tested 1:300 (something). By Saturday it had quadrupled to 1:1200. Even though all other antibody tests have come back negative the doctors say this is a direct indication of Lupus given his symptoms and the family history of it on Joey's side.
Nothing is positive at this point though and all we can do is treat his pain and keep retesting him till something else shows up. As for now he is on pain and arthritis medicine.

Hospital Attire

Modeling his wonderful gown.

Meal Selection

Deciding what food to order off of the hospital's menu.

Marcus has been in the hopital since Saturday. We are finally back home and will update more later.

For Joey-Marcus's First Deer

Bre and Sasha

Daisy and Sasha meet

Daisy has definitely gotten the worse end of this deal. Sasha is scared to death of dogs and will hiss and scratch anytime Daisy comes near. But Daisy being stubborn like she is just comes back for more. Just over the last 2 days though the kitten is getting better and doesn't seem to want to claw Daisy's eyes out near as much as before.

Sasha

This is the only picture I have managed to get of our kitten Sasha alone. Ever time I get close enough to take a picture she comes running for loves. She is the most loving thing I have ever seen. She even rubs her nose against mine and cries like a baby till I pick her up. Of course she sleeps with me cuddled up too.

Better

Marcus is better again.
Who knows if it is the chiropractor or rest that made him improve?
So far he has been for 3 adjustments and one massage. BTW he LOVED the massage but I told him not to get used to it!
I am still taking him to the orthopedic on Thursday though and see what he has to say.

Issues again

Marcus is having issues with his hip again. It has been going on for over a week now and started hurting during basketball practice. So for now he is once again on the sidelines.
He has an appointment with his ortho the 13th but when school called me around noon to come pick him up because of the pain I thought WTH and took him to the chiropractor. I am taking him back tomorrow for another adjustment and a massage of that area.
I am to the point I am truly desperate to help him and think I would try just about anything.

Witnessing History

Halloween Bear

Bre got this tiny stuffed bear from an elderly man Halloween night while Trick-or-Treating. She has held it close ever since.

Monkey Girl

This may be fine for the playground but she done it the other day in Burger King! Yeah those gold metal poles designed to keep customers in a straight line became Bre's jungle gym!

The Loot

Bre with more candy than one little girl could ever possibly need.

Grandmas

Marcus and Bre with great-grandma Pennington
Bre with grandma Ward

Halloween 2008

Marcus, Cody, and Bre

'After Party'

After the Halloween party the kids all went outside to play. Here are a few shots from that.

First Halloween Party