The Junk Drawer Analogy

You know that random junk drawer everyone has somewhere in their house?  It's a bit of a catch-all for those things you don't know what to do with.  I just peeked into ours and found a couple of rulers, electric tape, command hooks, a pair of kids' scissors, a random protein powder scoop, a tube of chapstick, random screws, a pair of pliers, some glue, a couple of screwdrivers, a few rubber bands, and not one, but two tape measures....plus a few more random items I can't remember.  

I was just thinking that this blog is pretty much like that junk drawer there.   It's got a bit of everything from cute pictures of my littles, random vents, updates from when Spence was sick, my goofy attempts at humor, reflections bordering on serious, and  mostly just a bunch of  really, really mundane glimpses at the day-to-day of our lives. 

There was a time {a long, long time ago}, I thought I could widen my blog audience and turn it into an income stream.   I talked to someone about what it would take and they said that successful blogs have a "brand"...or a certain air that keeps people coming back.   I thought about what my brand would be and  quickly realized that a monetized blog was not what I wanted. I didn't have any desire to be beholden to any audience.  I just wanted to post whatever strikes my fancy on any given day.  Now I realize that the junk drawer style of this blog is my brand and it's also a pretty accurate reflection on the state of my brain on any given day.  

Sooooooooooooooooooooo....get ready for the randomest assortment of happenings from my least favorite month of the year...junk drawer style!  

I gave blood last week.   I made sure I was well-hydrated and it went super smoothly.  Easy peasy. Spencer had a gazillion blood transfusions during his treatment for leukemia, so I try to donate regularly, especially every January, which is the month he was diagnosed in 13 years ago.   It's a small thing, but it is a meaningful way for me to feel like I'm giving back. 

I tried to channel my inner Ellie and  decorated a friend from PA's  door for her birthday...

I also got a chance to talk with Emma L. a bit and it was great to see her!

Afterward, I had a very exciting appointment to get my yearly mammogram done.   Once again, I have been called back for further imaging.   It's an every-other-year tradition for me. 😑

Last week, I met a new friend, A., who was staying with my Mom.  She was in town for a singles' conference and her car rental had a bit of a snafu, so I drove her where she needed to be for a day or so.  She is a political refugee from Russia and her story is fascinating.   It was great to meet her!   

On Saturday, we had a Thai cooking party at our house with Heather and my Mom.  Heather had gotten a bee in her bonnet that she wanted to try to make authentic Thai food, so she got all of her ingredients from an Asian store and we made recipes that purported to be authentic. 

Emma made massaman curry...

 

 

Heather made tom kha gai soup....

Glen and Adam made chicken pad thai.

I made mango sticky rice....

Then  we ate a delicious Thai feast!  

It was all soooooooooooo  good and I ate way too much! 

I tried adding ube to my rice to make it purple, but it ended up being a weird off-color instead.   Luckily it still tasted good!    All in all...a delicious and authentic-ish meal!

After our Thai feast, Emma had a birthday party to go to that had the theme of "dress like you're going anywhere other than a birthday party", so I offered her my pink overalls and plaid shirt for the occasion. 

She looked pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself! 

Alright, alright.   We've covered food, medical imaging, donating blood, a birthday delivery, a cute farmer girl birthday outfit, and making a new friend.   Is that enough topics for you yet?   Or should we keep rummaging through the junk drawer I call my brain and see what else I can find?   

Since I can't see or hear you, I'll just assume you can't wait for more.   So, here you go....

Ellie hits one month on her mission (as of tomorrow) and is doing great.  She seems very happy, though she seems to forget that she's not in California yet and keeps wearing short-sleeves, despite it being freakishly cold right now.

 Okay.  I'm getting to the bottom of the drawer now.   Only a couple more things left. 

One of my sisters recently sent out a text on our sisters' chat and encouraged everyone to send a selfie of whatever they were doing right then.  We may look a little scary, but...no worries...we were just preparing dinner.    I knew you'd be scared if I didn't clarify.  Haha!

Speaking of a little scary...Glen is applying for a new passport and looks a little intimidating in his passport photo.   

But, it's good that he applied, because we just bought plane tickets for our next trip!   It's a destination that's been on our bucket list for a long time and we are excited!   

And that's it. 

There are a few more crumbs I could dig out, but this is getting pretty long now and  I need to save some more junk for the next blogpost.   Thanks for reading along!    

Have a beautiful day!  💗

Chilling with Emma

 It was so fun to have Emma home for the holidays.  She's an easy person to have around, because she's easygoing,  so helpful, and loves to cook! 

So, together, we cooked, played some games, went to the temple, watched movies and a goofy TV show, and just enjoyed being able to spend some more time together. 

And we also donated blood together.  

I started donating blood back when I was in high school and regularly donated for the next few years into college.  I was really excited when I received a special pin for making it to a gallon.  Then the 5 pregnancies, breastfeeding, daily life,  kept me away for many years.

  Then, almost exactly 12 years ago, Spencer was diagnosed with AML (leukemia) and received dozens of blood donations  through his treatment.  It was then  I decided I wanted to get back to donating again.   Too bad by then, I really struggled with my iron levels, which were often low even when I was taking an iron supplement, so, for several years, I tried to donate just once a year--every January--in Spencer's honor.  

Then I had my hysterectomy in 2022.  

Hallelujah!   In addition, to many unpleasant symptoms being eliminated, having the hysterectomy also meant that  low iron is no longer a problem, which means I can give more regularly. 

Giving blood together  worked out perfectly...the first week of January (the month of Spencer's diagnosis) and our stake held a blood drive.  I talked Emma into coming with me and we did it!   Emma struggles with iron like I did, but she was good to go this time.  I was grateful for her presence, since I actually got a little lightheaded this time, which is very unusual for me when donating.  I let her drive home and we felt good that we'd done our small part in helping a cause that's near and dear to our hearts.  

Plus we got cool t-shirts...

If you are able and you haven't done it recently, I highly recommend donating blood! There's a critical shortage currently and I know firsthand that blood donations were a part of what saved our Spencer and countless other cancer and trauma patients.  Get on the Red Cross website and look for a blood drive near you. 

First Time in 30 Years!

Back in the days when I went through a bottle of hairspray a week... 


 I, on a whim, decided to donate blood for the first time.  I got a little light-headed that first time, but soon learned I could avoid the light-headedness completely by making sure I was well-hydrated next time.   I gave blood several more times through high school and college and eventually got a special pin for making it to a gallon of blood donated.

My pin is long lost, but it looked something like this...

Then I started having babies and didn't donate blood again for a long time....until Spencer got sick and needed dozens and dozens of transfusions during his treatment.  That was when I decided to try to do it more regularly again.   It's been a struggle in my post-baby years to make sure my iron levels are high enough, but if I am diligent in taking my iron pills and not donating too often, I have been able to swing donating occasionally the last several years.   Glen, however, was blacklisted from donating by Red Cross rules about living in the UK for too long in the 1990's and he hasn't been able to donate since before his mission more than 30 years ago. 

I no longer have to worry about my iron levels (thanks to my new state of uteruslessness)   

AND 

Glen recently received a letter from the Red Cross stating that they'd recently lifted their ban on people who'd lived in the UK, so....

we just signed up and donated together for the first time ever!  

Here's to an exciting new stage of life of donating blood together! 😉

 

One Winter Day

It was a gray and dreary day...

and I chose to wear one of my warmest, coziest outfits, which happen to be gray too...

so I figured a little POP of COLOR would make me smile all day! 

And it did.   

What else did we do that day?  

We read the longest chapter in the Book of Mormon and put our marking pencils to good use marking references to the Savior...

Then Adam and I gave blood again.

  

I try to give at least every January in honor of Spence (and the gazillions of blood donations he received during his treatment for AML).   It was Adam's second time giving and he did better this time than his first.   I'm glad to have a blood donating partner now.  Glen lived in the UK for too long and is barred for life from giving blood, and Emma's iron tends to be too low.   Now that Adam is 16 (and I take daily iron pills now), I expect to do this more regularly again! 

Then we came home to an afternoon of cancelled activities and a beautiful snowstorm! 

I love Virginia snow days.   It's nice to have a break from the routine in these dog-days of winter! 

So, what did your winter day look like?  

In the Last 24-Hours....

In the last 24-hours:   

Ellie and I gave a presentation at a local Cub Scout troop.  Ellie taught them about her seizures and talked about how we should treat everyone with kindness and respect.   We talked about the differences that people might have and how we are all children of God.   We also talked about ways we could look out for others, be their friends, and help when people need.    Ellie was well-spoken, confident, and did a great job teaching those little guys an important message.   :) 

Ever since we passed the 5th year anniversary of Spencer's diagnosis with AML (on January 10th), I've been wanting to give blood again.  In my younger years, I gave blood on a regular basis, but I struggle to keep my iron levels where they should be now that I'm older.   Emma decided she wanted to give blood for the first time too, so we decided to take advantage of it being inauguration day (and thus a day off of school here in the DC area) and finally donate this morning.  

I gave mine easy peasy, then walked over to the recovery section to rest for a few minutes.   There I found a very pale woman on the verge of passing out.  There were no employees in the recovery area, so I held on to her and called for someone to come help.  Employees came rushing to aid her and sent me to run get cold water bottles (twice), juice, paper towels, and a straw.   Yes, I just gave blood myself and they sent me running five separate times to retrieve items for them.   Luckily I felt 100% fine and was happy to help where I could, but I did laugh that they were so quick to rely on someone who'd just barely donated blood themselves.    They got the woman to lie down and she was fine before I left.   Unfortunately Emma's iron levels were .1 too low and she was unable to donate today,  so she'll have to try again another time.     

After that excitement, we went out for breakfast at Le Pain Quotidien.  

It was delicious and a good way to ensure I got a little more time to rest and get some good fuel in me before embarking on the rest of the day.   

I was quite enamored with my breakfast.   :) 

After that, I walked to the car and was greeted by a woman with a car parked near mine in need of a jump.  I got my jumper cables, jumped her car, and went on my way satisfied and grateful for the opportunities I've had to serve my community four separate times in the last 24-hours. 

Now we are home absorbing the fact that Donald Trump is now our president.   

God Bless America. 

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"I Can't Think of a Good Title"

In the middle of exercising, loads of laundry, scrubbing the house, and plowing a path through the kids' room today, I had  a couple of very worried people get in touch with me to find out why I hadn't blogged anything yet and if everything was okay.   After feeling cool for a minute thinking that someone actually cares if I miss a day or two blogging (a new phenomenon, I tell you!), I realized that cool or not, it's wonderful to know that there are so many people who care about our family.  

So now I am blogging to say everything is fine and dandy.    It was a long process (the vast majority of it spent waiting in windowless rooms in the bowels of the hospital), but Spencer's central line was successfully removed by Dr. A on Tuesday.    The poor kid wasn't able to eat or drink the entire day (until 10pm), because he was being sedated, but he took the lack of food better than his mom and has been eating nonstop since then to make up for the lost calories. 

Spence let me take a little photo shoot of his line before it was removed (but has yet to let me take a picture of it since it's been removed).  You can see that it was stitched into place on the left side of his chest near the shoulder.  It went in a large vein that ran alongside of his heart.  It was kept covered with a sterile dressing, which was very carefully changed once a week. 

For the past few months all of his blood has been drawn from the line and all chemo and meds administered through it.  Normally they would keep it in until a week or so after he was released from the hospital for the last time, but because he is essentially done with his treatment and just waiting for his counts to come back up again, it was easier to just take out the source of the infection and administer any fluids and meds through an IV in his arm instead.  Spencer did not enjoy getting the IV in his arm, but since getting the line out meant that he was one step closer to being done forever he didn't complain a bit. 

Lab results identified the bacteria as one that is easily treated with an antibiotic (Cefapime) and it was confirmed that the bacteria was confined to his line and was not in his peripheral blood stream, which would have made it a little more serious. 

Yesterday Spencer had a visit from one of his cancer buddies.  Sean recently finished his year-and-a-half course of treatment and was already sporting a great head of hair.  He told us all about the amazing Make-A-Wish trip he'd gone on with his family where he got to swim with the dolphins on a Disney Cruise.  It made Spencer all the more excited for his Make-A-Wish trip which is still in process of getting approved.   (Can you guess where he wants to go?)

As happy as we were to see a healthy, energetic Sean and his mother, we've been sad to hear in the last couple of days that two of our other cancer buddies are not doing well.  Both fellow AML patients, a 12-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy, are not responding well to treatment and it's breaking my heart to hear of the pain they (and their families) are enduring .  Cancer is a horrible, horrible disease for anyone--old or young, but it seems even moreso for these young kids who have barely lived their lives.   :( 


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Changing topics now...I received this card in the mail a couple of days ago...

I thought it was cool that they sent the card to say that they'd used the blood that I donated a couple weeks ago.  There's no way of ever knowing, but with as many blood transfusions as Spencer's received in the last week or two, it's a definite possibility that he's got some of his mama's blood in him now. 

More than he already had.  :)

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"...the dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt . . . Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others . . . The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
                                                                                                              - Joseph B. Wirthlin

The Good and the Bad

 Good:  The fevers and chest pain have both subsided and Spence feeling much more like himself again.   He's still on loads of antibiotics, but the pain meds have been weaned! 

Bad:  Spence has C-Diff again, which means we're all on isolation.  :(    C-Diff is a stomach bug (luckily without too horrible symptoms), that is considered highly contagious among  immuno-compromised patients.  Visitors will need to wash their hands with soap and water at the nurse's station before entering and after leaving Spencer's room, but otherwise don't need to worry about contracting it unless their immune system is also suppressed (or they have a newborn baby).

Good:  Thank goodness we were moved to the bigger room before being put on isolation!  A week cooped up in that shoebox room probably would've put me in the loony bin! 

Bad/Good:  I called the blood bank to see if I could get a final count of how many people donated blood in Spencer's name and not only were they rude to me, but said that it was impossible to tell me numbers.  So based solely on eyewitness accounts of people who donated (and notes that people sent to me), I'm estimating that we're at least in the 30-40 range.  Despite the blood bank management's rude non-helpfulness, the actual blood bank workers were very grateful for the influx of donations and were amazed at all the people who turned out to donate for Spencer.    Thank you to all who donated (or tried to donate and couldn't for whatever reason)!  You all are amazing!!!!


Good:  Spence's eyebrows and 'stache are growing back quickly (see picture at top for evidence).  They may very well fall out again in a week, but he is relieved by how quickly they returned!

Bad: Spence got a new hat that would likely be the envy of the pediatric hem/onc floor (see picture at top for evidence), but because he's on isolation he can't even show it off or share it with any of his fellow chemo buddies!   :) 

Good:  Tonight Spence received what will hopefully be his last dose of chemo....ever!!!!!!


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"...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Helaman 5:12 (from the Book of Mormon)

How to Donate Blood in Spencer's Name

Anyone who's been reading along with Spencer's updates here on the blog, knows that he has received numerous transfusions of whole blood and platelets through the course of his treatment.    During his first two rounds of chemo he was given the transfusions whenever he started experiencing any symptoms related to low blood counts.  During the third round however, the doctors suddenly seemed much more reluctant to give him blood or platelets until his numbers reached critically low levels, meaning that he would suffer with the fatigue and other symptoms for several days before being transfused.  At first we thought that it was a difference due to doctor ideology, but in time we learned that the true reason for the reticence was that INOVA hospitals are suffering a critical shortage of blood and platelets and they had placed very strict restrictions on dispensing their blood products. 

It got me to thinking how selfish I had been to expect other selfless donors  out there to donate blood so that my son could receive life-saving blood transfusions and yet I hadn't donated in about 18-years.  So today I decided that it was high time to change that.  I donated blood this morning and  have documented the process here so that you could see how easy it was!  If you are eligible, PLEASE consider donating at the INOVA blood donor center in Spencer's name (or to benefit patients in your own communities if you live far away).    Blood donated in Spencer's name will not go directly to Spencer, but would be credited to Spencer's "blood account" and would make it less likely for them to be stingy giving him future transfusions.   


HOW TO DONATE BLOOD IN SPENCER'S NAME: 

1.  Drive to the INOVA blood donor center at 3289 Woodburn Road Suite 010, Falls Church (at the corner of Gallows Road and Woodburn Road, right next to INOVA Fairfax Hospital).  Don't worry though--parking is free and much easier than at the hospital!   Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment if you wish (see below for details)!



2.  Register--Bring your driver's license and register at the front desk, making sure you let them know that you're donating in Spencer's name.  Then fill out this eligibility questionnaire (check here for requirements).   If you've been unable to donate in the past, be sure to check the NEW REQUIREMENTS  that have eased up on a few restrictions, especially those involving travel to foreign countries.   

2.  Finger prick--This quick test just makes sure that you're not anemic.  I made it by the skin of my teeth with a hemoglobin level .1 above the minimum. 

3.  Donate--I donated whole blood, which took me all of 5 minutes and 39 seconds to donate.  Platelet donations take 1-2 hours and would make for a great time to catch up on some reading or tv shows on Hulu.  

4.  Rest, eat free food, and get yourself a cool bragging sticker. There was a whole table full of food and fridge full of water and juices to boost up your energy after donating.  I did not feel light-headed or dizzy at all, but still took advantage of a free snack while waiting the required 10 minutes before leaving the clinic!

5.  Go home knowing you just potentially just saved someone's life and that you're awesome! 

WORST EXCUSES NOT TO DONATE: 

I spent two years living in a foreign country as a child ( or as a missionary) and don't think I'm eligible. 
CHECK THE NEW REGS!!!  Most foreign missionaries would be fine to donate under the new eligibility requirements (the restrictions don't kick in until after spending 5-years in most countries)  The one exception is for travel over 3 months to the British Isles, which because of Glen's 2-years as a missionary there is why he served as official photographer today rather than donating as well. 

I don't have time.     I did not have an appointment and I was in and out of the door in about 45 minutes.  With an appointment I imagine it would have been even shorter.  Platelets take longer, but as mentioned above would be a great way to get caught up on some reading or tv watching. 

I just gave blood a month ago.  Way to go on being awesome!  While it's true that you can only give whole blood every 56 days, you can give platelets every 2 weeks.   Spencer has received platelet transfusions countless times during his treatment for leukemia and they are always in short supply. 

It will hurt too much.    On a scale of 1-10, the pain of giving blood was a miniscule .28, so stop being a wimp and just do it.   

I am too young.    16-year-olds will need a form filled out by their parents before donating, but anyone 17 and over can donate without parental consent.    If you're younger than 16, then thank you for showing interest and be sure to come back and donate when you're old enough. 

I don't weigh enough to donate (110-lbs).    For heaven's sake, EAT A COOKIE and stop complaining! 

I live far away from Virginia and cannot donate in Spencer's name.   First of all, let it be known that we love visitors and would happily house any stray blood donors who come our way, but if perhaps that's a bit of a longish trip for you, then please consider donating to your community's  blood banks in Spencer's honor.

I don't know what type of blood I have.  It doesn't matter a bit!  Donate and find out what type you have!

I work all day and won't have time to come.  Check it out!  They take donations until 8:00pm.

Check out the Facebook page my brother created, to invite others donate in Spencer's name as a birthday gift to him: 

The most critical shortages are for the following types of blood:

O+, O-, B+, B-, AB-, and platelets of all types

Other Important Info to Know:

• Check our eligibility requirements 
• Are you at least 16, but under 17 years of age? You must bring the signed parental consent form
• Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) for an appointment
• Schedule a blood donation now
• Walk in to any one of our four donor centers or come to a community blood drive. Donors with an appointment are given preference, but walk-ins are always welcome.

 
This location is right next to INOVA Fairfax hospital, but has much easier (and free) parking:

Woodburn Medical Park
3289 Woodburn Road, #010
Annandale, VA  22003
Map and interactive directions
Hours of operation
Monday through Friday — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed Sunday