Joshua - Docs Are Dropping Like Flies

Joshua graduated this week from a few more doctors. 

Monday, the GI doctor educated me about Joshua's enlarged liver. Blood pooling from the heart causes scarring in the liver. Good to know. Bad that we can't do anything about it. No magic pill. Watch and wait. And hope. There is always hope. Once every so often we will do some blood tests and a liver ultrasound. No flying red flags. Thumbs up.

We also discussed Joshua's immunity and how all his tests came back indicating that he is well protected. Which begs the question: Do we continue the prophylactic antibiotic? Joshua has not been sick. At all. The most he has had is some post nasal drip. An answer to prayer for sure because in our experience, the first year in a new place always brings lots of sickness as the child adjusts to different germs and the stress of the placement. While antibiotics do not protect Joshua from viruses, the doctor backed right down and said that she wasn't sure who would be brave enough to take him off the antibiotics based on what I was saying. 

Tuesday we saw the orthopedist and he said Joshua has a slight curve and no twist. Very good news. We will keep an eye on his back but no need to be followed unless something drastically changes. The doctor said it will never be painful and only becomes a problem when you get to the arthritic stage of your life. Don't think we will get there. That cloud is always there, looming in every conversation. 

After two doctor's visits in two days, we were off to the Children's Museum for a few hours. I wish you could have heard the sweet prayers of my little boys who prayed for a parking space as we approached Free Street. It is strictly on-street meters for Big Red who will never see the inside of a parking garage. God provided big time and we were able to pull in to a spot right near the entrance of the museum. Which means we didn't have to drag the strollers out. Someday soon we may need to apply for handicap plates because Joshua cannot walk that far and still maintain energy to play.

After the museum, we went out to eat at the buffet because Bob was on his way to North Carolina. Jerrod got to scavenge the refrigerator for whatever he could find. After we got out, we were inspired by the nice night to drive over to the beach and watch the sunset.

 We scavenged the van for hats, mittens, and coats.

 Turned out to be the best decision I made all day.

Something about that first step from the concrete onto the sand. Like you are transported to another world. Maybe it is the wide open space, the discoveries waiting to be made, or the ebb and flow of the water but spirits are lifted and calmed.

 Sharing a new find.

 Running to return an animal to the sea.

 Impossible to keep a three year old out of the water. 

I repeat, impossible.

 Discovering an old shipwreck at twilight.

My traveling pack for the day. 

A very GOOD day.

(Big camera malfunctioning. Small camera with dead battery. Ipod takes pictures, phew.)