So Much to Update On

We were able to escape reality for a few days and enjoy a wonderful weekend. Mimi came over and surprised Addison with a trip to Clearwater beach Friday afternoon. Addison absolutely LOVED it! We dug her a little pool and she sat there digging and enjoying the water the whole time. Addison figured out that if she put her back to the waves they didn't splash her face. Smart little cookie she is! Teh good thing about the Gulf is the waves are tiny ripples. Then our friend's Andrew and Lynn came by to see us from Jacksonville. They had a wedding in St. Pete this past weekend so we were able to have dinner Friday night with them. It was great being able to catch up and here about their wedding plans.

Saturday we woke up and played at home and after Addison's morning nap we packed a picnic lunch and went to Honeymoon Island State Park beach for the afternoon. It was fabulous. Addison was much more active this trip. She would not stay still. She would run into the water, then go dig a few holes then go up to the soft sand to feel it between her toes and then she would check out the big girl's hole that was next to us. It was a constant game of follow Addison! She zonked out the second she hit the car seat for over an hour. We all know that is a LONG nap for Miss Addy.

Sunday we woke up and went to Orlando to get our new car! We are very excited to no longer have the Mercedes. We got a new small SUV that I will be driving!!! So excited! Happy Late Birthday To ME! We had a yummy lunch at our friend's Kristin and Sean's in Orlando to let Addy stretch her legs and play a little before heading back to Tampa. Then we went to our friend's the Bergin's house for dinner and Addison got to swim in their pool with Brooke (3) and Brianna (1). Since Addison watched Brooke swim all by herself Addison of course thought she could do it too....um not so much Addy. She loved going under water! The Caldwell's were there too with their adorable 6 week old Campbell. It was a GREAT weekend and Addison loved all the action.

So back to reality...we met with the surgeon Monday. Nothing really too exciting to report. Addison is scheduled to get her port Tuesday July 20th. We have to go to the hospital Monday for Addison to get platelets to be able to make it through the surgery and we will stay Monday night and hopefully leave after the port and biopsy are completed. I had no idea that a port could stay in for like 5 years. Obviously Addison is at an age for rapid growth so hers will have to be removed in at least a year but I am hoping for MUCH sooner than that. If you don't know what a port is google "mediport" and it will show you what it is.

We met with the hematologist this morning. Guy and Reva came down to go with Addison and I since Charles had to be in Naples for meetings. Today was the day we were getting the PNH test result back from Mayo that had been abnormal twice before. Well it was NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord we got some good news! I am so relieved that she does not have PNH, it really is such a blessing. We have tentatively scheduled treatment to start Monday July 26th. We have to confirm the cells that are in her bone marrow are not odd in shape or size which could indicate MDS or Leukemia before moving forward. Again we are praying everyday, all day that it still looks clean but "empty" confirming the diagnosis as Severe Aplastic Anemia and we can be on the road to recovery. It is nice to finally have a plan in place but we continue to ask for prayers for speedy and complete recovery. We are ready to have our life back and more importantly let Addison start living her life to the fullest again! Thank you for the prayers and support, they seem to be helping tremendously!

ps...Charles keeps complaining my posts are too long.....????? I have to be thorough right?