Well, friends, Brady hit a milestone earlier this week. He has now had ten MRIs. TEN!!!

Man. Every time he has one, I think back at how that getting that first one was like pulling teeth. We had people on our side for months before the right people finally agreed to see Brady. We sought out a new physiotherapist who wrote a very strongly worded letter, and sent it out absolutely everywhere. After her came Dr Block, a very well respected neurologist, and she was able to FINALLY put enough oomph behind our case to get Brady in for an MRI.

Since then, it seems they give them out like candy, and while they are nerve wracking and overwhelming, we are both so incredibly grateful that Brady receives them without fight. 

We spoke to Dr. Guselle yesterday, and she actually made mention of Dr. Block, saying they had seen each other not long ago, and Dr. Guselle had thanked her once again for getting things going for Brady. She said that if she herself was having to fight for Brady to have an MRI, we may still be waiting. We are just so incredibly grateful. 

We are also incredibly grateful to God for the scenario in which we find ourselves. Brady once again has been granted a clear scan, with no sign of new growth, or even change. The word “stable” has never meant more to me than it does now. Same with “unremarkable.” Who wants to be unremarkable?? WE DO!! And we ARE!! 

We are relieved and content with Bradys results, and will happily sit on them for the next 4-6 months until the next scan. 

I’m going to jump on the question that may be on the minds of some of you. Do we have to watch him this closely?? The answer is yes. It seems overkill, but hear me out. 

Bradys tumour was very fast growing, hence the grade four cancer diagnosis. So if it were to ever start up again, the absolute soonest we’d know would be the best, so it wouldn’t get too big. If that were to happen, there would be talk of more chemo, likely, but Brady’s surgeon has also said he would absolutely consider a second surgery if need be. But, there would be a very high likelihood of his incomplete spinal cord injury becoming completed in that surgery, which would leave him a LOT less mobile or functional. No one is wishing this on him!! Absolutely not! We would still have options! But. The sooner the better. Thats all.

Thankfully, we are not there. We are here – in good strong health, with no masses or changes or inconsistencies. We trust the Lord, no matter what. He is ALWAYS good, regardless of circumstance. 

Praise God for a TENTH clear MRI!

This morning, a few of us had doctors appointments. Brady took the morning off, as did Rowan. Ro felt very elite not going to school with everyone else, haha!

Wavy tagged along, of course, and the four of us went to see our doctor for her first appointment of the day.

Rowan’s appointment was the most noteworthy, for sure. We talked about how he’s doing on his meds, specifically with the new changes we’ve made, and spitballed a few tweaks me are going to try in the coming weeks. One of the main side effects of his medication at this point is his appetite. A lot of kids on stimulants lose their appetites completely, and the weight loss can be worrisome. We were happy to learn Rowan is continuing to follow the curve, and he remains in the nice tall category of things, as well as average in weight. His blood pressure was great, also.

Lol! He was very focused, as the person checking his BP told him not to move. He took it very seriously, hahaha!

Wavy was the one of us who didn’t have a checkup, but she could not be left out.

You know how she be.

Dr. Guselle renewed some of our prescriptions, and went over literally every single thing any of us could think of. We spent an hour together, and covered a lot of ground. It was really nice. And relaxed, actually! We laughed a lot. We always do. We are so fortunate to have her in our corner.

Once our appointment was done, we headed to Walmart to pick up some things I couldn’t find or fit in my cart at Costco.

Some convenience food. Some canned goods. A few household things. We bought a new toaster, which is a big win, as ours are stopped toasting one side of each slice of bread. We’ve upgraded to four slices! Heyooo!

Once Walmart was done, I had ONE more stop to make, because it was so closeby. Bulk Barn! I really don’t ever go there, but with oatmeal and granola bars frequently being made over here, I’ve started to hit Bulk Barn for sprinkles. Today, I also got a bag of ranch corn nuts (guilty pleasure from high school days, anyone?) and ranch seasoning. It is a WAY better value there than buying the little packets. But really, sprinkles for the win.

As a side note, if anyone has empty large parmesan cheese containers, we would LOVE to take them off your hands! We use them so much around the house, and are in need of a few more! Please and thank you!

It was coming up on noon when we left the city, so Rowan ate his lunch on the drive before we dropped him off at school.

Ro was at school. Groceries in the house. Wavy ate while Brady and I chatted and sipped coffee for a few minutes, but he was very quickly back on the road to work, and I was unpacking purchases. And very shortly after that, I put Wavy down for a nap.

We both look a heck of a lot more awake than we feel! 😅🥱

As I’m finishing typing this out, an electrician just pulled up to inspect our furnace! Gotta go!!

I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to make more trips to Costco. Not because we need more food, or to spend more money, but because one cart simply does not cut it, and in my last few Costco shops, I’ve left certain things off the list because they just don’t fit in the card.

Leave it to me to begin a blog with a conclusion.

I really like eating our food down good and proper, and then restocking everything at once. It feels so good! But I’m starting to come to terms with the reality that its just not going to work. Yesterday, the cart was full WAY too soon.

Bread. Bagels. Hot dog buns. Wraps. English muffins.
Broccoli. Apples. Bananas. Cucumbers. Peppers.
Milk. Sour cream.

Boom. Full. Three sections in, and the cart was quite full. I hadn’t even touched the coolers, freezers, isles, or toiletries. There are some grocery trips where I need very little in the aisles, but since I really like waiting until we absolutely have to shop, there were bigger things to catch up. ALL the crackers. ALL the lunch snacks. ALL the cereal. ALL the cheese. Cooking oil. Baking ingredients. Some convenience food. You get it. It was a lot.

I’ve never seen a grocery packer get flustered trying to fit everything into one cart. And really, I’ve had bigger shops than this one. But it was approaching $600 worth of groceries, so I do understand. Still. He was flustered inside, and I was flustered outside as I tried to load everything into the van. But I got it done!

And then upon getting home, this tiny morsel put in real genuine effort and helped me get everything unpacked.

I think I need to make a different plan for grocery shopping. I just cannot heave such a heavy cart. Buying groceries shouldn’t be such an undertaking. Maybe I go to Costco every other week, and Walmart in between there. Or Walmart once a week. Something like that.

Or maybe someone needs to teach me the voodoo that is pushing one of those giant orange flat deck carts. What is the trick?! *whispers* They’re so intimidating!

Whew! Its barely 8am as I start this blog and I already have some things crossed off my list!

First of all, I’ve been awake since 4:30-ish, thanks to a kid who woke up, and felt I should join the party. However, said kid was able to fall back asleep, and I was not. As I lay in bed, anxiety got the better of me, and I spent at least an hour feeling all the bad feelings, completely unrelated to one another, while I tried to sleep. I finally gave up and scrolled my phone for a while, scoffing at quality memes such as this:

Sounds like a farty party 💨

Brady got up and went to work, and I got to “work” as well. Before I got the kids up, I had already sent an important message I’ve been sitting on all weekend, as well as an email to the school principal regarding a schedule change for Rowan’s meds. I’ve added a couple of things to the calendar, and I’ve added some items to the grocery list for this morning’s shop. I have a small load to drop at a thrift store in the city, as well, just to get some bags out of my garage. There is no shortage of things to do these days, but I feel like I can handle them. Thank you LORD for Your strength. My own could not even come close to what my family needs 💜

We have a couple of sickies in the house, so we are once again left at home, skipping church. Its been a quiet, slow moving weekend up to this point, and it remains to be that way 💜

Yesterday, I took four of the kids out for a walk. It was BALMY out, most of us were just in sweaters. But as we walked, we met some clouds and enjoyed a very light rain. It was SO beautiful!! I cannot wait for these kind of skies over the weeks and months to come!

I think I went for three different walks yesterday. It was such a lovely day to be out!

And today is a lovely day to be in. Laela made everyone tea or hot honey water out of solidarity for Waverly and her sore throat. Except Dekker made his own, because that’s how he be.

Sometimes these relaxed days at home are hard. I feel like we have a LOT to do, but there is time for everything to get done. Nothing huge needs doing specifically today. And tomorrow, the new school week begins, and I will have fewer people in the house and a bit more of a headspace for the pending work and jobs.

The coming week holds a lot. A lot. Including one of Brady’s MRIs. Deep breaths. Lots to do. Lots to think about. It will all get done 💜

Rowan is my sleepwalker, as many of you know. He sleepwalks a lot less than he used to, thankfully, but every once in a while, he surprises us. And last night one was one those nights. And it was the best episode of sleepwalking he has ever presented! I loved it. He could sleepwalk like that every night and I would be one happy mama.

Brady and I hadn’t had the lights off for long before our bedroom door opened, and a kids silhouette appeared in the doorway. As soon as he spoke, we knew it was Rowan, sleepwalking. His voice is higher and lighter when he’s asleep. Usually, he’s a little distressed, crying a little, and he rarely knows why. He needs to be hugged, and sometimes tucked back in, and then all is well. Its always a pretty easy solve. So thats what we expect.

When he came in yesterday, he came right to my side, and hugged me. Half asleep myself, I held him, and asked what was wrong. He was SO calm. He didn’t answer me right away, but when he did, I woke right up.

“I just love you guys SO much,” Rowan said, “and I haven’t been this happy in a LONG time.”

😭 I’m not kidding. That was what he said.

And then he nuzzled around with his fishy lips until he found mine for a smooch, and off he went back to bed.

He had zero memory of this in the morning, but my heart is SO full. Because I feel like he is very honest and uninhibited when he’s sleepwalking. No need to hold back. And he was SO happy and lovely. It was very good for my heart to witness him this way 💜

My dear Rowan.

Or, rather, two years home.

Brady came home from his stay at City Hospital two years ago. What a wild day that was. Not that it was especially busy or chaotic, but it was a LOT for the heart.

I think I can safely say that we feel more ourselves than we even did before he left. It has helped immensely to have our corner positively loaded down with supportive people 💜

Brady’s first day home was spent taking pictures, sipping coffee, visiting, driving kids around in a wheelchair, and reading cards.

Two years later, we are home, with Brady fighting off some nasty sickness. I blame Wavy. But I also thank Wavy, because it allowed Brady to be home from work today.

Its a significant day. Two years ago, Brady left the hospital. Five years ago, Cher’s brother left this earth. Life and loss are both interesting things. Both of those scenarios have left their mark on the people involved. We can celebrate and mourn in both cases. God has remained GOOD through both brutally difficult situations, and we are grateful to Him for being consistently GOOD to us.

So, we sip iced capps for Scott, and we watch a movie with a late, easy supper with Brady.

It’s a good day. Happy Friday 💜

Yesterday, I took Waverly to the doctor. She was just doing SO badly. Maybe you saw on Instagram. Her sickness escalated pretty good in the afternoon. So, to the doctor. Laela came with me, because, big sister rights.

I won’t lie. It was a pretty bummer appointment. Walk-in clinics are just hit or miss, I suppose, and we really missed :/ We got some minimal information but zero help or efforts towards Wavy’s comfort. I felt very belittled and unimportant. It didn’t feel like she wanted to help Waverly.

This morning, she was still pretty bad off, despite everyones best efforts to cheer her up, so we texted Dr. Guselle and updated her, as per her request the day before, and she said Wavy should be seen. She couldn’t see her directly, but there were doctors in her clinic today who were available. So we took one! I got her into fresh clothes with brushed hair, and some warm honey water in a water bottle.

Brady came home from work to join us for the appointment, as he is feeling just as sick as Waverly, and was really interested in what the doctor might have to say on the subject.

We didn’t have to wait too terribly long before we were put in an exam room, where we waited to see a very lovely young doctor who was just finishing out her residency.

When the doctor did come in, she just fawned over Wavy 💜 And Wavy LOVES that kind of attention. She was still very quiet and sick, but she was SO cooperative and friendly.

We left this appointment with vastly more information than the first one, with actual compassion from the doctor. She cared about the fact that Wavy is so young and SO miserable. She cannot speak, laugh, cry, breath, eat, or play without pain. It was not your standard “Its viral, it’ll go away” thing. She agreed that her breathing is not ok, and took time to speak with her and evaluate everything a couple of times.

We were really grateful for her time and knowledge. She’s been swabbed, and we’ll know where she’s at in a few days. Meanwhile, Brady is home from work for the rest of the day. He is just too stinking sick :/ So if Wavy gets a result, we’ll probably know where Brady is at, too.

While we wait for further instruction, the humidifier will pump, and the advil will flow. And for now, thats ok.

We’ve had a few sore throats around here for a couple of days, and Wavy’s progressed in a way where she had to miss VBS today :/ It was sad, but she was very understanding and happy to be home. When she feels really bad, she loves a bath. Thats really the only way to comfort her when she’s miserable, so she’s been having a handful of them! I wish I could share all the pictures, but you’ll just have the trust me that its been a really cute part of the sickness.

She even found a luxurious way to use the shower chair!

She’s been coasting in the tub, and we even had a family-wide six-person tea party today.

I’m so sad she is sick. But when I’m on top of her meds and not asking her to speak, she is still incredibly peaceful and calm.

Anyway. Keep this little cute thing in your prayers, if you’re the praying type. I want her well, so she can have FUN and play!!

The morning began over coffee with Brady before he headed out for the workday.

Then, I lay in bed a little longer. Because this week is off of school.

I went into the kids rooms and snuggled everyone for a couple of minutes, letting them know it was time to get up. About half of them had sore throats.

Kids ate breakfast and we talked plans for the day.

Kids left for VBS, and Cher and I had a short coffee.

Cher studied downstairs, and I crocheted in my room while I watched my smuggler show.

Cher and I ate a snacky lunch.

Four of the kids came home for lunch. Dekker went to the school to work on Frozen Jr sets.

Kids ate, and the two youngest went down for naps.

Laela and Rowan folded origami and sipped tea together, like the sophisticated children they aren’t.

Cher brought me a coffee upstairs 💜

Laela bailed on origami, and Rowan struggled, so Cher ducked over and helped him fold a spider. A very loving auntie.

Dekker and Laela were both invited out with friends.

Solly played lego.

Wavy had a bath.

Cher went back to studying, and I’m hanging out in the living room with the two littles. Rowan is having some sibling-free playtime downstairs.

It is peaceful here at the moment. I really hope it stays that way 🤞