Emersyn's ITP drama is hopefully coming to an end. Her level has been increasing for the past 2 weeks and as of today she is at 83,000. She has been able to return to normal activity for about a week and has been loving it. The first day she could go outside and play like a normal kid she was overjoyed. She ran, jumped and rode her bike to her heart's content.
On a less positive note, her Hematologist told me that there is a pretty high chance that she has the chronic type of ITP. We won't know for sure unless her platelet level drops again. Wishful thinking or not, for right now I am going to assume that it is not going to come back and if it does we will cross that bridge when we get to it.
Thanks again for all the support!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Earthquakes, hurricanes and flooding. Oh my!
We took a trip to see Jon and Michelle's family in Delaware
at the end of August. We weren't sure we would be able to go until about
a week before when we got cleared by Emersyn's doctor and I am so glad
that we could make it! We have missed seeing them soooo much and it was
so nice of them to allow us to mess up their beautiful new house for a
week.
We flew into Philadelphia and before we drove to Jon and Michelle's we spent a day in historic Philadelphia, if you are a history buff like I am Philly should definitely be on your list of places to visit. It was amazing to see the Liberty Bell and take a tour of Liberty Hall. Kory and the girls were really good to humor me for a little while, I think I may even be converting Marti to my side, she was listening intently to the tour guide and would lean over and whisper what he had just said to me "in case I didn't hear it".
Emersyn and Marti had seen the tour buses going around all day and really wanted to ride one, Kory and I debated on whether or not we should (they are expensive) and in the end we decided to do it. It was a good decision, we learned a lot about the city that we wouldn't have, the girls were happy sitting on the upper deck and Emersyn took a nap (bonus). We were on the hunt for an authentic cheese steak sandwich and we found it at Reading Terminal Market, it was alright but I didn't think it was that big of a deal (how un-american of me).
After our day of sightseeing we drove out to Jon and Michelle's and met their newest addition, sweet little cabbage patch kid look alike Aubrey. She didn't warm up to Kory right away, I think she was put off by all his hair, but she came around a little bit by the time we left.
Our big adventure for the week was going to Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We could not have picked a more beautiful day to go, the weather was perfect. The older kids were happy going with Jon and Kory to ride the big manly roller coasters while Michelle and I were running the smaller kids from kiddie ride to kiddie ride.
Right before we left the park we stopped at Hershey World and took the free Chocolate Tour. You sit in cars and it takes you around to show how they make chocolate, complete with singing cows. I asked Emersyn what her favorite ride was at the park and of course she said the free chocolate tour. If I had known she would be that easy to please we just could have gone on that all day and saved a few bucks.
While we were at Hershey Park we got word that there was an earthquake that hit Washington D.C., the first one in a long time. There were people at the Park who said they felt it, but none of us felt anything. Crisis averted, or so we thought....
At this point we started hearing a lot about Hurricane Irene, it looked like it was heading up the eastern coast. It was scheduled to hit where we were on Sunday, the same day we were supposed to fly out. I called the airline and managed to get our flight changed to Saturday, but it still looked a little bit iffy.
While we waited for the more info on the hurricane the next activity on the agenda was a trip to the beach. We drove to Rehoboth Beach and had a great time playing in the waves and digging in the sand. Dallin and Josh were trying to teach me how to swim in the ocean without getting taken out by the waves. I got smashed into the beach more than I would like to admit so I think I have a lot more practicing to do. We walked the boardwalk and ate taffy and salt and vinegar fries, yum. It reminded me why someday I would like to live by the ocean.
By Friday people were starting to freak out about the hurricane and the potential of flooding. Kory and I had scheduled a little 24 hour trip to New York City on Friday to see Wicked but it made us too nervous that we wouldn't be able to get back to the girls so we ended up not going. We were disappointed, but just couldn't take the risk.
Instead we all strapped on our bowling shoes to see who could post the worst bowling score. I am an awful, awful bowler but we still had a good time. Michelle managed to get a babysitter for Friday night and the adults went out to dinner, where I managed to put my big foot in my big mouth (sorry Michelle, I spend most of time with little kids, that's a valid excuse right?). Even with that we still had a lot of fun catching up, and laughing at the poor waiter who didn't know how to make a caesar salad.
Just as the rains were starting to come down on Saturday our flight was taking off without any problems. It was pretty turbulent as we were flying out of Philly which made me super nervous, of course I am always nervous when I fly. We were worried about Jon and Michelle and whether they would have flooding at their house, but thank goodness everything turned out just fine.
We had such a great time it was hard to believe how fast it went by. Marti was especially upset that she had to leave Brinley, she just loves that girl. We miss having their family nearby and we are so grateful to them for making us feel so welcome.
We flew into Philadelphia and before we drove to Jon and Michelle's we spent a day in historic Philadelphia, if you are a history buff like I am Philly should definitely be on your list of places to visit. It was amazing to see the Liberty Bell and take a tour of Liberty Hall. Kory and the girls were really good to humor me for a little while, I think I may even be converting Marti to my side, she was listening intently to the tour guide and would lean over and whisper what he had just said to me "in case I didn't hear it".
Emersyn and Marti had seen the tour buses going around all day and really wanted to ride one, Kory and I debated on whether or not we should (they are expensive) and in the end we decided to do it. It was a good decision, we learned a lot about the city that we wouldn't have, the girls were happy sitting on the upper deck and Emersyn took a nap (bonus). We were on the hunt for an authentic cheese steak sandwich and we found it at Reading Terminal Market, it was alright but I didn't think it was that big of a deal (how un-american of me).
After our day of sightseeing we drove out to Jon and Michelle's and met their newest addition, sweet little cabbage patch kid look alike Aubrey. She didn't warm up to Kory right away, I think she was put off by all his hair, but she came around a little bit by the time we left.
Our big adventure for the week was going to Hershey Park in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We could not have picked a more beautiful day to go, the weather was perfect. The older kids were happy going with Jon and Kory to ride the big manly roller coasters while Michelle and I were running the smaller kids from kiddie ride to kiddie ride.
Right before we left the park we stopped at Hershey World and took the free Chocolate Tour. You sit in cars and it takes you around to show how they make chocolate, complete with singing cows. I asked Emersyn what her favorite ride was at the park and of course she said the free chocolate tour. If I had known she would be that easy to please we just could have gone on that all day and saved a few bucks.
While we were at Hershey Park we got word that there was an earthquake that hit Washington D.C., the first one in a long time. There were people at the Park who said they felt it, but none of us felt anything. Crisis averted, or so we thought....
At this point we started hearing a lot about Hurricane Irene, it looked like it was heading up the eastern coast. It was scheduled to hit where we were on Sunday, the same day we were supposed to fly out. I called the airline and managed to get our flight changed to Saturday, but it still looked a little bit iffy.
While we waited for the more info on the hurricane the next activity on the agenda was a trip to the beach. We drove to Rehoboth Beach and had a great time playing in the waves and digging in the sand. Dallin and Josh were trying to teach me how to swim in the ocean without getting taken out by the waves. I got smashed into the beach more than I would like to admit so I think I have a lot more practicing to do. We walked the boardwalk and ate taffy and salt and vinegar fries, yum. It reminded me why someday I would like to live by the ocean.
By Friday people were starting to freak out about the hurricane and the potential of flooding. Kory and I had scheduled a little 24 hour trip to New York City on Friday to see Wicked but it made us too nervous that we wouldn't be able to get back to the girls so we ended up not going. We were disappointed, but just couldn't take the risk.
Instead we all strapped on our bowling shoes to see who could post the worst bowling score. I am an awful, awful bowler but we still had a good time. Michelle managed to get a babysitter for Friday night and the adults went out to dinner, where I managed to put my big foot in my big mouth (sorry Michelle, I spend most of time with little kids, that's a valid excuse right?). Even with that we still had a lot of fun catching up, and laughing at the poor waiter who didn't know how to make a caesar salad.
Just as the rains were starting to come down on Saturday our flight was taking off without any problems. It was pretty turbulent as we were flying out of Philly which made me super nervous, of course I am always nervous when I fly. We were worried about Jon and Michelle and whether they would have flooding at their house, but thank goodness everything turned out just fine.
We had such a great time it was hard to believe how fast it went by. Marti was especially upset that she had to leave Brinley, she just loves that girl. We miss having their family nearby and we are so grateful to them for making us feel so welcome.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
ITP
Emersyn was diagnosed with Idiopathic (immune) Thrombocytopenia Purpura, or ITP, at the beginning of August. She had been having bloody noses for a few days, but I wasn't that concerned about them until I saw the broken blood vessels on her chest. We went to our Dr's and they sent us to Primary Children's to get tested. When the Dr told me what she had I panicked, I had never heard of it before (most people haven't) and I was having a hard time wrapping my mind about what it meant.
Basically what it means is Emersyn is really low on platelets. Really, really, low. Normal is 150,000-400,000, she had 6,000. They don't know what causes it or if this is just a one time problem. She has been on steroids for the past 3 weeks, but so far her level went up one week and then it was down to 3,000 the next week. Poor kid has had her blood drawn 5 times already this month with more draws to come, but she is so brave, never cries or makes a sound.
Platelets cause your blood to clot when you get injured so without them Emersyn has had to be very restricted in what she can do. That means no running, jumping, bike riding, swimming, playing on the playground, or basically anything else that kids want to do when it is the middle of summer. She has handled it like a champ, she always has been my angel baby, and Marti is a big help reminding her to calm down if she starts to get a little too rambunctious.
I know we still have awhile before I can say that Emersyn is 100% again, but this week I have been feeling much more positive about it and I just wanted to say thank you to all of our family and friends for their love and support. It is so wonderful that Emersyn knows that she has so many people who love her.
A special thanks to Dr. Kemp for talking me through everything, (it's great to have a Dr in the family).
Basically what it means is Emersyn is really low on platelets. Really, really, low. Normal is 150,000-400,000, she had 6,000. They don't know what causes it or if this is just a one time problem. She has been on steroids for the past 3 weeks, but so far her level went up one week and then it was down to 3,000 the next week. Poor kid has had her blood drawn 5 times already this month with more draws to come, but she is so brave, never cries or makes a sound.
Platelets cause your blood to clot when you get injured so without them Emersyn has had to be very restricted in what she can do. That means no running, jumping, bike riding, swimming, playing on the playground, or basically anything else that kids want to do when it is the middle of summer. She has handled it like a champ, she always has been my angel baby, and Marti is a big help reminding her to calm down if she starts to get a little too rambunctious.
I know we still have awhile before I can say that Emersyn is 100% again, but this week I have been feeling much more positive about it and I just wanted to say thank you to all of our family and friends for their love and support. It is so wonderful that Emersyn knows that she has so many people who love her.
A special thanks to Dr. Kemp for talking me through everything, (it's great to have a Dr in the family).
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy.
It's pretty rare for all the Cobbley grand kids to be together at Grandma and Grandpa's house at the same time so we took the chance when Jamie and Aaron came to town to take some pictures of them. We are up to 10 and counting. It was great to see everyone.
Kids dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music.
Can you believe this face?!? Emersyn got to get all gussied up for her dance recital, she hated putting the makeup and outfit on, then she liked looking at herself for a few minutes, then she wanted to take everything off. Marti was so jealous that Emy got to wear mascara and lipstick she may start dance classes just so she can wear makeup once in a while. Emy did a great job at her recital.
Emersyn also finished her preschool this month and had her end of year program. She has learned so much I am excited for her to go back for another year of preschool before she starts Kindergarten.
Soccer is all very well as a game for rough girls, but is hardly suitable for delicate boys.
This is the perfect picture to convey the feeling of Marti playing soccer this year. It was her first year playing and for the first few practices and games I didn't think she would ever figure it out. She had a weird habit of kicking the ball like she had a peg leg that wouldn't bend, it looked quite awkward and I am not sure how she did it without falling over. By about the 5th game she had started to figure out the concept and the rest of the season she made great improvement. She was dying to score a goal and she got close a few times, but she will have to wait until next season for that.
She really liked being part of a team so I think we will keep going with team sports. She wants to try basketball next which I am sure will make Kory happy, not quite as happy as if she asked to play golf, but happy.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Run over by progress.
It's been a while since my last post...not because I haven't had anything to write but I just got behind. The girls have been super busy with school, end of year programs and parties, swimming lessons, dance, recitals, gymnastics, and of course Marti's soccer practice and games (I am going to do a post about that when I have downloaded pics from my camera, let's just say pretty funny). I really don't know how parents who have more than 2 kids get everything done, you guys are pretty amazing (I'm talking to you Stephanie, Michelle, and Trystal).
As Marti and Emersyn get older I long for the days when they were toddlers and the calendar wasn't packed with activities, there was no homework to do, and they weren't constantly running from friends house to friends house. I am glad that they are getting older and growing into wonderful little ladies, but really I can't imagine any Mommy not feeling at least a little sense of loss at their "babies" burgeoning independence.
As Marti and Emersyn get older I long for the days when they were toddlers and the calendar wasn't packed with activities, there was no homework to do, and they weren't constantly running from friends house to friends house. I am glad that they are getting older and growing into wonderful little ladies, but really I can't imagine any Mommy not feeling at least a little sense of loss at their "babies" burgeoning independence.
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