No news is good news???

This morning we went to the hematology dept. for a plan of action for Ali's platelet count. We decided to wait on the test results from the other day and Ali is going to get another platelet count on Wednesday to determine if she can do cheer or not. On Monday she's going to see a ob/gyn for her first time and the hemotologist gave us a referral for a GI consult. So, everything is in place and we are doing what we can to figure this thing out. Again, many thanks to everyone that has called or emailed to let Ali know they are thinking or praying for her. This has been an exhausting week and I am hoping just to have some sense of normalsy back....whatever that is :-).

I AM.....

exhausted so this is going to be quick. Last night Ali was up with her sharp pains again so I took her back to Mission Hospital and told myself we were not leaving until we knew what the heck was going on....backtrack to last night....I got the results of Ali's pelvic ultrasound and she has a 1.6 cm cyst on her right ovary. Now normally I would be relieved because being someone that has grown up with these issues, I know that cysts are treatable and minor compared to what it could have been BUT- her pain is on the LEFT side! So, off we went this morning. I insisted they do a CT scan and more blood work so they did. CT scan was negative but the blood work showed that her platelet count was down again....darn those platelets! So, after 5 hours in the ER that's where we are. We have an appt. to go see a hematologist in the morning at the same hospital we were in Tuesday and Wednesday which is good since I left my sonicare there and they are holding it for me. (I'm trying to find the positive in this situation). Still no word on why she's having these pains. So aside from addressing this very serious issue with her blood, I am making her an appt. with my ob/gyn AND I am insisting on a GI consult from my regular doctor. AAAGGGHHHHH!!!! I am so frustrated! Anyway, that's about it for now. I am totally exhausted and hoping and praying that Jack let's me sleep tonight. Cross our fingers! I will update again tomorrow after our appt.

There's no place like Home!

So we are finally home and I stress the word FINALLY! This was the longest 48 hours I think I have ever experienced in my life. Unfortunately like my last post, there is nothing to report. I am currently on hold with the operator in the hematology dept. to try and find out her results from her pelvic ultrasound. Amonst the several tests she had done, she had a blood draw this morning to test for lupus which we will not have the results until next week so I will keep everyone posted. Needless to say, we are very happy to be home. Thank you everyone for the phone calls and emails! You all made Ali feel very loved! I couldn't believe how many people sent me text messages, emails, and phone calls throughout the day including several of Ali's teachers that caught wind that Ali was ill. It just makes me so proud to know that my daughter has so many people that care about her. I will post when I know more....

Update on Miss Ali

Well, we are going on day two now of lovely hospital food, endless card games, watching movies, and sleeping....good times. So here's what we know so far......nothing! Ok, so that's not true. We know that her platelet count is up again and so that is good. We also know that she had nothing wrong with her gallbladder, kidneys, pancreas, or digestive track in general. What we still do not know is what is causing her sharp "contraction-like" pains. Right now we are awaiting trasport down to ultrasound for now the 4th time so they can do a pelvic ultrasound per my request. Not sure why they didn't just do an ultrasound of everything to be thorough and save time but whatever. The bottom line is that we are both very frustrated because it's not clear what's been going on and she's had numerous tests including an xray, 4 ultrasounds and lots of viles of blood drawn. The doctor is going to discharge us soon and we are told we need to come back next week and everyweek after for about a month to have her blood drawn to check her platelet count. Oh, there's the technician...gotta run!

Stay tuned, I may go postal on Tuesday

Awesome day today. I thought I was going to be able to sleep in but silly me, Jack had other plans. So we were up early, I still made yummy pancakes and eggs that no one got to enjoy because I made the pancakes and then realized that we had no maple syrup...Jack loved them though. Today was Aidan's 1st bday party and I will post pics later because I am too lazy to go get my camera out of my car. Doug made an amazing dinner despite being at hockey ALL day long and I know being exhausted and Ryan and Ali both have friends over spending the night. So, like I said, everything was going great...good morning, good party....until I got the mail.....damn that mail! It was a lovely letter from Pacificare telling me that they were not paying for Jack's stay at the burn center which means that we owe the burn center $19K. Now before you go and have a heart attack like I did.....I am definately going to dispute this first thing Tuesday morning so I THINK everything will be fine but I swear, this ONE incident seems to just drag on and on. It makes me realize just how much one single act can change your life.....and yes, I flat ironed my hair today. :-)

Our new American Idol!

Ok, so I am totally lame! I had no idea that they tape the show earlier in the day....I guess I never thought about it before but it makes sense to me now. So, during a commercial around 9pm, I go upstairs to put Jack to bed and decide to check my email. I go on MSN and they are talking about the "next American Idol" so I click on it and low and behold, they tell you who won! I have to say that I am ecstatic but suprised because I really thought it would go the other way with the popular vote. So, I am hoping that none of you are reading this until after AI is over but here is my boyfriend and our American Idol....................

I just thought about something....by David being my "boyfriend" I am not only cheating on my husband but that also makes me one of those creepy old ladies that dates way younger guys......eeeeewwwwwwww....nevermind.

Mr. Jacky Bear

Then it was "Who can jump the highest?" competition......too many arguments, no one won.



Some misc. things that have been going on here......the weather is cooling down (thank goodness), AJ is suspended from school today for throwing pine cones at some kid while walking home last week (can you say, duh!), the twins' mom had brain surgery yesterday to put a clip on an aneurysm that was detected and the kids are going to go visit her today, Jack is still sleeping and it's after 8am (miracle), and I am working out with a trainer today! (yeah me) I am sure I won't be able to walk tomorrow but I guess that's a good thing right? Last but definately not least......tonight is our sacred American Idol so do not call our house between 8-10. Go David! :-)

Thank goodness we have a pool!

So this weekend it was 100 degrees every day. Actually our backyard temp said it was 108 on Saturday and I wouldn't doubt it. So, what does the Sheridan family do when it's hot? Well, Ali and her friends are usually working on their tan and being silly.....while AJ and Ryan have "Battle of the Crazy, Amazing jumps" contest judged by yours truly of course. (Jack was napping) Here's some of the many shots I got of the boys competing over the title....which actually never was determined since they both were pretty amazing.
And then there's this classic picture which I'm sure I will switch to black and white and frame but thought I'd put it up here anyway. Can you tell Ali spent 2 days at the beach and another just laying out?....Ouch!

What we've been up to

Painting Ali's room (see previous posts), going to Ryan's baseball games, waiting for Jack to walk(any day now), getting ready for summer, and a new car. Life in the Sheridan house is never dull. We are always doing something and most days I am worn to the core. This week was no different. Monday Doug made a very humbling decision to trade in his impulse buy Cadillac that we've had for 2 years and been paying almost what some people pay for their mortgage...well, maybe not THAT much but it's alot. So we got a Ford Edge. It's very cool and I told him that if I wasn't driving around 4 kids and the kids friends, I would totally drive it. My car seats 8. So on Monday we took the car for a test drive right after dropping Ali off at open gym. Wednesday Ryan had a baseball game against the Diamondbacks. Awesome game....we won something like 10-3 I think. Ali also went to youth group which she hasn't been able to do in a long time because she typically has cheer Wednesday nights. Although AJ's season is over, of course Doug has him in a clinic twice a week plus he has games on the weekend. Hockey season NEVER ends in our house. The kids have 4 more weeks of school and I have to say that I am excited. We have some small trips planned and between Ali in cheer, AJ and Ryan starting hockey tryouts in late June, their will not be a dull moment. Micah, Kylie and Cade are hopefully going to make a trip early July, and then we've got a girl's trip to Vegas in August. Mark comes home in exactly 18 days after being on an aircraft carrier for 4 months so that is another must-do trip to visit with him and Stacie and the munchkins. By the way, Happy Birthday Marky! :-)
So, that's what we've been up to. I keep asking Doug what he thinks we will do when the kids are all gone and married off.....maybe join a bowling team????

It's Done!

After 10 days of prepping, primering, moving, procrastinating, painting, painting, and more painting.....Ali's room is officially done....with the exception of some pics needing to be printed to go in frames and such. I am actually surprised that it turned out as well as it did...who knew limeaid would look so good?

Accessories courtesy of Target.....isn't this wall clock cool?

Almost Done

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all my dear friends and family! I hope you all enjoyed your day. Me? Well, it was more of a Mother's Day weekend...packed with baseball games, painting, a 2 hour facial followed by an awesome dinner out with my hubby to Ruth Chris's, Disneyland with my mom....no kids, and then brunch at my house courtesy of my bro, Adam. Can't leave out the mimosas...thanks Jenn! Overall it was a great weekend but I am exhausted and very happy to have 3 out of my 4 kids back to school and a quiet house. My mom was here Thursday- Sunday so that was great....always sad to see her go but she never stays away too long. Ali's room is coming along good. We sorta hit a speed bump with everyone's activities and Doug being out of town since Tuesday so we are still working on it but almost finished....just some minor touches needed. Today it is raining.....very weird but I'll take it, so it will probably be a good day to put some chili in the crockpot and finish Ali's room. Here's a pic I took this morning. Notice the blue tape still in some places that I need to put one more coat of paint on....this paint took 3 coats! A bit bright but I think it turned out pretty cute.

Right now, it's all about.....

Having a teenage daughter can be the best thing in the world. She is helpful, smart, adventurous....but most of those adventures need driving to or cost money or are so time consuming they ar nearly unbearable. Ali's latest and greatest is that she wants to paint her room. Up until 2 days ago, her room was a dark pink/red. Doug has said for years, everytime she is in one of her moods...."You know, red is an angry color....maybe we should paint her room something else". So, here we are. For those of you that live in California, you will understand me when I say that painting this room was a huge deal. You see, most people don't paint themselves because that's what Charlie Cho is for....plus he does a way better job. But currently we are not as well off as we would like so taking on the task is our's. Since the room was red we had to paint 2 coats of primer and then it was time to decide on the color. It's called Limeaid which says it all. Her theme is 70's funky with black and white bedding and all so we will see how this goes. We couldn't paint last night because I had a 2 hour cheer meeting which ended in writing a big fat check so tonight's the night!

**Jack update: Jack's foot is healing great! He wears a compression sock all day but takes it off half the time. Currently he's cutting all four molars which has been a joy but he's such a happy baby so not too bad. He's almost walking....anyday now.....we'll keep you posted.

Oh! Look who got a hold of my camera.....