TB Testing is Troubling

Marissa and Jessica want to job shadow with Sister Lisa Elmasri at Baptist East Hospital to see what it would be like to be a pediatric nurse.  Marissa is really the one that wants to be a nurse, but Jessica is curious and wants to do it with her even though she gets squeamish at the thought of needles or bolod.

Well, Today Jessica and Marissa went in to get the required TB test in order to volunteer in the hospital.
Today was the first time I didn't go back with them.  There isn't much room and it's just to administer the test.  OOPS!

Jessica is the first to get the test.  She says in her own words, "I did really great.  I even watched him put the needle in and make it bubble.  After it was done I still felt great.  I was so proud of myself for not getting weak."  Well, because she felt good the technician let her get out of the chair.  Marissa sat down and was  just about to have the test administered to her when she saw Jessica sway left and right and then just PASS OUT backwards.  Jessica hit her head on the counter and then fall to the floor.  Luckily the technician heard her hit the cabinet and caught her just before she hit the floor.  She also cut the back of her foot when she fell.

Okay, so at this point I still don't know.  Then a nurse comes into the waiting room and asks me to come back.  I walk around the corner and Jessica is sitting in a heap on the floor.  I can't get her to respond.  We lay her down (pillow under her head) for about 10 minutes.  I keep talking to her and asking her questions to keep her alert and attentive.  We get her water but what she really needs is some sugar/food.

It takes about 30 minutes to get her color back.  In the mean time Marissa sees Jessica get sick and starts to feel sick herself.  They have cold compresses on both girls.  Marissa is moved to a different room so she can't see what's happening with Jessica.  She has a nurse with her, while Jessica has a nurse and me attending to her.  Finally they clean up her foot and move her to another room to get her stable.

In the end we didn't leave what was supposed to be a 10 minute appointment for 1 hour and 30 minutes and Jessica still didn't feel good.  Marissa did great.  She felt fine the whole time and kept telling me to go away.  We got both girls home, fed and rested.


What a day!

Color Run is a blast

Oh my, Marissa has planned for months to run in The Color Run with her friends from Cross Country, so needless to say she was so disappointed that she couldn't run in it because of her broken leg.  Betsy decided to take her down the morning of the run to be part of the fun, while Betsy would run the race for her.  It was pretty exciting.  

The Color Run is a fun run (not timed) where color chalk is squirted out at runners at stations every 1000 K.  It sounds so fun.  We watched video of it from previous events and - let me tell you - it looks like a great time.  We can't wait.  Marissa is so sad, but Betsy is very excited to run.  

Marissa and Betsy all clean before the race

 Marissa went with Betsy over the the start of the race.  She stayed there until there was only a few minutes left.  She kept Betsy's bag and things.  Betsy put her iPhone in a plastic baggie to protect it from the colored chalk.

Marissa has to wait for Betsy while the race is on

Look at how many runners there are.  Luckily Betsy got a good start very close to the start - maybe 10 rows back.  The race starts at 8:06.  Betsy sets off at a great pace.  She can't believe she's been running for what seems like a short time and she's already arrived at the first color station - ORANGE is first.  She had a blast running through the color and hearing the cheers but she also learned to keep her mouth shut (to keep chalk out).  The next color station is - YELLOW!  Betsy also learned to switch sides of the road so she can get color on both sides of her white shirt.  :)  This is where the race seemed to get very long, but knowing there are people behind and only 2 more color stations keeps her going.  The third color station is - PINK!  (the best).  Now she's on the home stretch, she knows she can do it.  She sets  a very comfortable pace and persists - all of the sudden there is the 4th color station - BLUE.  Only one more K to go … she can see it - the finish line.  GO GO !!!! YES!  Betsy finished at 27:30.  She was in the top 50 runners.

Marissa was at the finish line but Betsy ran right past her and didn't see her.  We met up right after.  Together we got water and walked down to the Color BASH!  After more runners finish and make their way to the Color Bash station, where music is playing and people are getting excited for the "famous" COLOR TOSS!  Ready - Set - TOSS!   There is color everywhere - it's so exciting and fun for everyone (at first).  

There was a scary moment though - A few seconds pass by and Betsy can't breathe from all the chalk in the air.  You can't see the sky, you can't see in front of you.  She grabs Marissa's arms and busts out for the edge of all the people to get some fresh air.  We didn't think of that - wow!  That was scary!

Trip to Lake Nolin - Robert, Devon and Mark

more to come

Kids' Bedrooms

Robert's Room

Marissa's Room

Jessica's Room

Devon's Room

Truck to haul it all away

Tuesday evening Betsy rented a 4x4 Truck to haul all the dirt away from what we have dug up for our "soon to be" patio.  We were so blessed to have the help of our neighbors Mike and Nick on Tuesday night.  Mike saw me shoveling dirt into the back of the pick up and came over to help.  Then Mark came home and Nick came over to help.  The four of us shoveled dirt from the drive way into the back of the truck.

We filled it to the brim before Mark, Nick and Mike drove up the the vacant lot near the YMCA to dump it.  It takes about 50 minutes to unload the truck with three people.  They came back and we filled it up again.  This time Robert got home so he went with the boys to unload - it went much faster (40 minutes).

After the second load Mike and Nick went home - the work was exhausting - but Mark, Betsy and Robert continued shoveling dirt into the pick up truck for another 35 minutes.   At 8:20 a storm came in - lightning and thunder!  Mark continued to work even in the storm.  Betsy said, "He's going to get hit by lightning."  … but he didn't.  She and Robert left at 8:30 to meet Spencer for frozen yogurt.

Wednesday Morning:  Betsy and Mark tell Devon to drive safely to XC, but within minutes we hear a "ckxk" from the driveway.  Devon accidentally backed the Corolla into the truck.  YIKES!  We sent Devon on his way to XC, and went back to bed.  (We were exhausted from yesterday's work).  When we got up we saw that Devon caused some small damage to the truck that was repairable but would take time and effort.  GREAT*  Those were two things we were in short supply.  Well, after a lot of work and some crazy ideas the truck was fixed and we could get back to the reason we rented the truck.

Unfortunately, the storm poured about one and a half inches down in a short amount of time.  The part of the patio that we still needed to dig was completely "muddy" and we were unable to finish that work.  Mark, Betsy, and Robert continued shoveling dirt into the back of the truck.  We recruited Devon's help after he got back from XC.   (Jessica didn't help at all on the project).  We took two more loads of dirt to dump and then we were done (99%).  While to boys took the truck to dump the dirt, Betsy dug up the remaining part of the patio dirt (despite the mud).  We are so close to being done!

We just need to level out some of the parts of the patio area and then we are ready for the next step.  What a great feeling.

So, back to the truck.  We cleaned it out, Betsy took it to a car wash and returned it!  DONE!!!

Spencer comes for a visit

Robert's friends and previous team mate came to Louisville to go to the Louisville Soccer Camp (the one that was already "sold out" when I tried to register Robert.  Spencer Bergman and Robert used to play together on the Thoroughbred team for U10, then Spencer moved to Toledo, OH (close to where my Grandma lives).

We meat at the Orange Leaf for frozen yogurt.  I had Birthday Cake, so did Robert!  

YUM YUM!

Robert and Spencer

Marissa goes to EFY

On Monday, July 23, 2012 Marissa leaves for Especially For Youth (EFY) with her best friend from church, Meg O'Brien and a few other kids from our ward; Riley Burton, James Cluff, Emily Pina, Jake Matheson, and Steven Fisher.

They will attend EFY at the Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.  They are so excited!

Mark's 49h Birthday

Today, July 22, 2012 is Mark's 49th birthday.  Everyone in the family is so excited to take him out to celebrate but this year his birthday fell on a Sunday, so we had to arrange our schedules to take him out on Saturday.  You might think this isn't a hard feet - well, in our family it can be quite the challenge to get all six people together on a Saturday and have enough time to eat.

Robert runs XC from 9:00 - 10:30, Marissa went to XC practice at 9:30.  Then both Robert and Marissa were supposed to work at the Stake Pioneer Day from 11:30 - 1:00 - no problem except that Devon has to work from 1:00 - 9:30.  UGH, so we arrange to have some other kids in the ward cover Robert and Marissa's spots at the Pioneer Day so we can take Mark out for an early lunch.

We arrived at Longhorn around 11:30 am and have a wonderful time and a delicious meal.

Photos coming!

Devon Receives his Patriarchal Blessing

(This post is really for personal posterity

but I didn't want to leave out such a special moment in Devon's life)

Today was a very special day for Devon and his parents.  On Sunday, July 22, 2012 at  11:30 a.m. (Mark's Birthday) today Devon met with Patriarch Charles at the Crestwood Stake Center to receive his Patriarchal Blessing.  It was the most beautiful blessing -  There really isn't much I can post about the actual events, except to say it was just one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. It was such an amazing blessing to witness. I felt so privileged to hear the words be pronounce upon him.

He is so prepared (inside and out)

Mark and Betsy with Devon on his special day

It was such a special day that Betsy wanted a photo to remember the feelings we had as we left the Stake Center. I hope Devon will read and re-read his blessing several times throughout his life. He is so blessed and loved by the Lord.

It was absolutely one of the very best moments of my life!

Water Balloon Volleyball

WATER BALLOON VOLLEYBALL!

Robert and his friend Aaron, Alayna and Steven, Marissa and Edan, Riley and Kaleb, James and Devon are on a team.  

Robert and Aaron are facing backwards - weird
Marissa and Edan are behind them

Marissa and Edan

Devon and James returning the water balloon

Mark giving out instructions

Kristine Thiess

Robert and Aaron

Marissa and Edan catch it - no problem

Everyone had fun - then the thunder storm came - so everyone went inside to have fun there.  We had teams playing basketball, ping-pong, twister, and charades.

Devon's needs more treatment

Okay - this is complicated.

Devon went to scout camp June 11-15.  While there he shared his bug spray with others and ran out.  He didn't think to ask others to use their bug spray so he got bit.  He is extremely allergic to mosquitoes and had about 20 huge welts on his legs (also his back, arm and hip - but he didn't share those with us).  We tried to treat them before he left on "High Adventure" but then he was in the wilderness for 5 days straight, covered in mud and sweat.  When he came back from High Adventure we tried to treat again but he would "hide" them from us or act like they were healing.  He worked several hours and therefore he was wearing pants and shirts that covered most of his sores.  Well, just before Independence Day, Betsy noticed his legs hadn't healed - as a matter of fact, they had become infected.  UGH!  Devon didn't tell us, and now it's a holiday and the day before we leave on our family vacation.  "DEVON!"  

Betsy tried to call the family doctor to get a prescription, but they weren't open yet.  There wasn't anything we could do.  We left on vacation, but then Betsy took Devon to the doctor while everyone else was having fun a King's Island.  The doctor gave Devon Amoxocillan and a topical bacterial cream to use twice a day for 10 days.  

After 10 days, the wounds are still not heals (they are a little better) but they are spreading.  Betsy took Devon into the family doctor's on Wednesday and she started him on a steroid pack and a Z-pack.  Devon!!!  This could have all been avoided by a few simple acts:  

1.  Make sure you have enough bug spray to take care of yourself

2.  Don't scratch your insect bites if you get bit

3.  always tell your parents if something isn't right

Betsy has been so worried about Devon.  This could have spread or turned into a staph infections.  It could have gotten into the blood stream.  Thank goodness it didn't.  He has been watched over by his Heavenly Father.

Marissa ends up in a Boot Cast

On Monday, the first day of official practices, Marissa was running with the girls at Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve and tripped over a root, rolling her ankle.  She just got back up and kept running.  She ran another 20 minutes after the fall.  She said it hurt a little, but not too bad until she got in the car to come home.  She didn't say anything because that day we were car pooling and she was riding home with Katie Walker.  As soon as she got home she told me she hurt her foot.  We iced it, wrapped it, elevated it and I gave her Aleve.  WOW!

Not the thing you want to have happen on the first day of official practices.  I told her she will need to rest it.  It probably is a bad sprain but time will tell.  "Let's see if the swelling goes down and if you can put weight on it."

The next day she went to practice just to support the team!  While there the coach suggested taking her to see Lyne, the school trainer.  I drove her up to the school at her suggestion.  Lyne looked at it and felt that it could be a break, just because of the location - the pain is located directly over the bone.  UGH!!!  Bone breaks take so long to heal.  We made an appointment to see Dr. Grossfeld for Wednesday at 11:00 a.m.  In the meantime I wasn't happy with waiting that long so I took Marissa to an Urgent Care on Tuesday.  They took x-rays but felt the problem lied in the growth plate area and she wasn't comfortable making a diagnosis.  She suggested going to see an Orthopedic Specialist.  Good thing I already have an appointment set up for tomorrow.  Wow.  I was hoping to get an answer today, but we still have to wait until tomorrow.

Wednesday morning I took Marissa into see Dr. Grossfeld.  We sat in the waiting room for over an hour.  Finally we were called back and seen.  She diagnosed Marissa has having a fracture in her growth plate.  She said the growth plate was getting smaller (just a little more growing to do), but it is the weakest area of the bone.  She had Marissa fitted for a "boot cast" and we are to return in 2 weeks.  My heart sank when she said, "Hopefully it  will be a quick recovery, only 6 weeks."  SIX WEEKS!  That's right up to the first race - the Tiger Run.  UGH!!! 

Poor Marissa.  XC is her first love - her true sport.  She's waited for the chance to really excel this year, as she did last year.  She was determined not to keep up her work outs but now she will be taking the next 6 (or less) weeks off to recover.  Luckily, the doctor did give Marissa advice on exercises she can do to keep her cardio up, endurance up, and form.  She will be okay!

Marissa in her new boot cast

Stage three of the patio

Now that we have pulled up all the grass (or at least most of it) including the area for the landscaping, we have to place the stakes, string level guides, level the ground, and then lay a layer of gravel and sand.

After getting quotes from the gravel and sand company, I am deflated.  I have to dig 4 inchew down in the area of the patio to fit the 3" of gravel and 1" sand that goes under the pavers/stone.  UGH!!!!

It never ends!

It is tiring work - and it seems endless.

Going to Goergetown for Youth Conference

Thursday - 9:00 am both Devon and Marissa are all packed up and ready to go with Vicki O'Brien (driving) Meg O'Brien to Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY for a six stake Youth Conference.

Devon is on the Stake Youth Committee so he has been involved with the planning and preparations of the schedule of events.  He is very excited to go.  Unfortunately, he found out on Wednesday that he was scheduled to work on Friday - he had to go into work to get the time off.

Marissa is very excited to attend a youth conference away from the area.

Friday morning I tried to call several people to get someone from Devon's work to take his shift on Friday, but no one would accept!  UGH!  That meant Devon either had to call in for his shift or I had to drive to Georgetown, KY to pick him up and bring him back to Louisville.  He didn't want to make the people at work upset, so at 1:00 I left to get him.  I arrived at Georgetown at 2:20; we were back in Louisville at 3:50.  Devon was so upset that he'd have to miss the rest of conference.

Saturday morning I also drove to Georgetown.  I picked up Marissa and Meg from the conference.  They had a great time together - they were in the same group and roommates! They said they had a great time and learned that they can be roommates for EFY!  I took Jessica with me.  On the way home we stopped at Panera Bread for lunch.  YUM!!!

Basketball Camp for Robert

Robert started NOHS basketball camp on Tuesday after coming back from our four day whirlwind vacation.

He loves it and is doing great!

Michigan - Tanner and Logan's baptism

Back:  Gary, Dallin Whiting, Devon Lowe, Mark Lowe, Betsy Lowe, Scott Barb, and Kevin Lowe
Middle:  Tami Whiting, Julie Barb, Jessica Lowe, Robert Lowe, Marissa Lowe, Jackie Whiting and Shauna Lowe
Front:  Diana Lowe, Preston Barb, Tanner Barb, Logan Barb, and Mallory Barb
Missing:  Steve Whiting

More to come!

Cedar Point and Soak City

MORE TO COME

We left Cedar Point around 8:45 (almost 9:00 pm) for Toledo, OH.  We ate at a rest stop on the Ohio Tollroad and got to Toledo around 11:00 pm.  This is the earliest we've gone to bed in a few days!