Springtime Excitement ....

Our latest family photo ... CHEEEEEEEEESE

Yes, strange, I know ... who takes a family pic at the hospital?? ha..ha...

Well, if you hadn't heard ... we (specifically Jonathan) have had an interesting month. it started several weeks ago in February with some lower leg pain. It was recommended that he see a physical therapist for some possible tendon issues, which he did. The PT discovered some deep muscle spasms that he target during a few sessions. Turns out, however, that pain worsened and began to travel slowly over the course of a couple of weeks. Long story short, after some swelling and some minor chest pain, he finally went in on a Wednesday afternoon for an ultra sound to rule out a blood clot.

Well, crap. The whole "rule out" plan was foiled when they discovered a large blood clot. (completely unrelated to the muscle spasms.) So we left the radiology center and headed directly to Mercy Gilbert Hospital where they did a Chest CT and discovered bilateral pulmonary embolisms (more clots on either side of his lungs) Thus, Jon spent the next 5 days in the hospital connected to a Heparin IV. He was released on Monday, only to return two days later, Wednesday afternoon (an ugly pattern forming). Another clot in the same leg meant he would once again be admitted. That night they inserted a filter to trap any other leg clots and prevent them from moving to the lungs, heart, brain ... he was released the following week. (side note about insurance companies... he actually had to stay an extra day while they sorted out coverage of meds...they covered in the hospital but didn't want to cover at home. what?? So, it took a lot of intervention of many folks to get that sorted out.)

If you know Jon, you know that he just isn't a sedentary guy, so all of this sitting around doing nothing .... not being able to breath fresh air was NOT his idea of a good time. He was told that he will need to lay low for several weeks.

So, after nearly two weeks in the hospital, he was glad to be home and we were happy to have him back. We felt so lucky to have been back in AZ where we could lean on family to help with the boys. We stayed at my mom's house and the boys were lucky to be able to spend LOTS of quality time with Mimi, Honk, Papa & Grandma A and Aunt Mer while I was with Jon at the hospital. We really, REALLY thank them for all of their help.

He's been home for about two weeks now ... with limited activity. Again, a total buzz kill for out outdoor guy. After a follow with is Hematologist (who, coincidentally, turned out to be my Mom's Oncologist ... small world) he was given the green light to head back to work part time next week and then full time the following week. we're hopeful that things will go smoothly for him. He's been anxious to get back to work...especially as we run into his patients at the grocery store or WalMart. the other day, in fact, he ran into a couple who were so happy to see him up and around. apparently they'd seen him earlier the day he first went to the hospital and then somehow heard that he'd later been airlifted to the hospital. (No heli ride for him... lol)

Jon talking to his folks on the phone while Campbell entertains himself on the stroller


Man, this kid can have fun anywhere! ha..ha..

Poor Ian, had fallen asleep on the way to visit Daddy and wanted to rest a little longer on the "guest bed" in Daddy's room

**** UPDATE 5.15.09 ****

OK, this is how back-up I am on the blog ... It's been 10 weeks since this all began.

He was diagnosed with Factor Five Leiden which is basically something in his blood that won't break down clots. 20% of the population are "factor 5" but only 10% of them will ever get a blood clot. We still don't konw why Jon got the clot in the first place, but the challenge has been breaking them down. We joked about making t-shirts saying "Staying Alive with Factor Five" ... (not really all that funny, I know ....)

Jon was FINALLY able to return to work this week on a Part Time basis, hopefully working his way back to FT shortly. (He did return in March for a 1/2 day but it was too soon and the leg reacted badly. "It's an angry clot!" according to Dr Schtivelband. But Thankfully the leg has been cooperating and he's not having the pain/swelling he had been experiencing. He's spent the last two months entertaining himself with daily (now twice daily) abdomen injections ... and sporting a very secy black thigh-high (aka compression stocking) fun, fun, fun...but it's working. They plan to remove the filter at the end of May. It's been a sticky and sometimes scary experience but we're thankful he's been blessed with improved health and is finally released to return back to work. Thanks to everyone for your fasting and prayers, it has been such a strength and meant so much!


XOXO