4 Months

Ethan is now entering his 4th month off all his Kidney medications, I can hardly believe it! A part of me is starting to feel hope, maybe this is the time he will outgrow this disease? Putting an end to this part of our journey, but at the same time I am always cautious to say how well Ethan is doing, for fear tomorrow we will wake up and everything changes.

I know it is only Tuesday but so far this week is going very well, Ethan has not given me any problems with going to school, knock on wood! Today was picture day at School, I was so happy to have his picture taken without him being on prednisone. I was looking back at pictures of Ethan from just a few months ago and I can't believe how much his face has changed. Prednisone really does change so much about a person. I heard a really great song by Matt Maher called, " Alive Again". One line in the song really spoke to me, it's about breathing in and breathing out, feeling Alive again. Which is how I am starting to feel....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6w5szlpedY

Up and Down

Life is filled with ups and downs, this past week we experienced both. Ethan's protein has gone back down to a trace and has stayed there for the past few days. So that would be an UP! I was feeling so nervous about a possible relapse. I don't think I can fully relax yet, but I am trying.

The down has been that Ethan is having a harder time adjusting to his new teacher as am I. It gets very tiring, year after year to explain to a new teacher all about his medical condition and needs.

I include a detailed letter and information sheet all about his condition in hopes that they will be armed with enough information to truly grasp what it is Ethan goes through. Ethan and I developed such a close bond with his teacher last year that I feel like I am in mourning. She was such an amazing teacher, who loved and prayed for Ethan like she was her own child. Please pray for us and Ethan's current teacher, Mrs.Penner. We pray that Ethan will have a good year and continued health.

Back to School

We had a successful first day of School, although Ethan did have some tears prior to leaving for School this morning. School is not Ethan's favourite thing, probably because the last few years he has not been feeling well most of the time. I am so very thankful that Ethan has his best friend, who is also named Ethan with him in his class this year. Once we arrived at School and they saw each other, Ethan was calm and happy. Adam is starting Grade 5 and is very happy about being the oldest in the School, and he loves School too!

As we enter the School year, I can't help but feel nervous. With all the news about the H1N1 flu and how bad it is for people like Ethan. I must admit, that I am feeling very anxious and worried, especially as we are heading into what the health officials predict will be a bad and early flu season. We have been so blessed to enjoy and watch Ethan grow and thrive being a normal child these last 3 months. But I am also conscious of the fact that we can wake up tomorrow and everything can change.

Today as I went to test Ethan, I stopped in my tracks and my heart did a flutter. I saw a very dark sample and foam! Bubbles/foam is not a good sign, it means that there is protein in his urine. I prayed as I dipped the stick and watched the color change to a light green color. Yes, just as I thought, a bit of protein. GRRR!!! On the first day of School too! He is currently sitting between a trace and 0.3 so nothing serious yet. Please pray that this is just a temporary blip and not a sign of a relapse coming.