A bird about to take flight

So, I have been pushed out of the nest and will now be flying solo when I work as an ECMO specialist running the ECMO pump on our patients. These patients are the sickest kids who will pass away if something drastic isn't tried. ECMO is often referred to as the "last ditch effort." I describe it as heart lung bypass that is done at the bedside. We can help rest a patient's heart, lungs, or both. Having these kiddos on ECMO requires extreme technology. Big tubes coming out of the baby drain the baby's blood, runs it through a very large machine, exchanges the gases (acts as the lungs), then pumps the blood back into the baby.



As you can imagine, doing something so drastic is not without risks. I decided that it was the next step in my career to apply to be an ECMO specialist (the person who sits and runs the pump). I was accepted, took the class, and have "sat the pump" with experienced specialists for the last several months. Saturday night, I was told by our medical director, "Melissa, it's time for you to fly on your own." This machine makes me fear and respect it. So, the next shift that I'm scheduled to be the ecmo specialist I will not have my back up sitting behind me. I will manage and care for these tiny little miracle children and with the help of God, keep them stable through the magic of technology.

Sickness in men!

What is it in men that makes them resort to acting like babies when they do not feel well? I was sick last week with bronchitis, horrible cough that prevented me from sleeping well for several nights, etc. I was still "expected" to go to work, take care of the kids, clean, cook, etc. Gary came home from work yesterday not feeling well. He sounded like I did a week ago (prior to a zpack). He sat around moaning and complaining but didn't take the initiative to make a dr appt. So I stepped in and scheduled him with our doc for this afternoon.

This morning, shortly after I put Joshua on the bus, he walked in the door. He was moaning and complaining how bad he felt. I said ok, go to bed and I'll move up your appt. Moved his dr appt up to 11am and when it was time to leave, I began driving him to the dr office (15 minutes away). 5 minutes into our drive he felt as though he was going to be sick. He insisted he couldn't sit in the car for the drive, so home we came home.

Thank goodness for a wonderful doc who took pity on me and called in antibiotics for Gary. Calgon, take me away!

A trip home

Last Sunday we took a day trip home to Fort Wayne. We visited with both sides of the family. It was great to see everyone. The boys are missing out on lots of time with their grandparents and cousins. Enjoy the picture montage. The first group is Gary's family and the second is my family.

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Cub scout in the house!

We have a new cub scout in our house. I have tried for the past 2 years to get Joshua interested in Cub Scouts. Today he came home from school and was so excited. There was a cub scout leader at school today who talked to the boys. He was so excited and wanted to go sign up tonight. So off we went. There were two packs to pick from. We picked the pack with the leader who got Joshua so excited. Lucky for us, Joshua's best friend Matt was also there and signed up for the same pack (can we say carpooling?).

His pack leader seems so passionate about what he does. He gets the boys out and about nature. He will teach them science activities also. He seems very committed. I'm so thrilled to finally get Joshua involved in something. Our first meeting in in a couple of weeks and then we begin our popcorn selling fundraiser. Anyone need any popcorn?

Joining cub scouts was a controversial thing in our house. Gary grew up being told that scouting was against his religion. I grew up knowing how fabulous it can be. How can teaching boys respect and confidence and appreciation for the world around them be a bad thing? Gary is still a little iffy about the entire situation. I hope he comes around and sees that this is a good thing.

Stay posted for pictures and stories from our new Cub Scout experiences.

Cookie night!

I brought home some left over cookies after a meeting at work tonight. Note to self, don't give a 17 month old a sugar cookie 1/2 hour before bed! It hyped him up!

Sea World pictures slideshow

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Disney World, here we come!!

We'll be back in a week. Pray for no rain as the long term forecast says thunderstorms every day we are there. Please no!

Picture time!

A few pics for your enjoyment. Joshua got to meet the "Real" batman at the children's museum on Saturday, thanks to Indymoms.com

Zachary cheesing it up for the camera at the museum (that's part of a muffin in his mouth!)

Zachary's escapade with the Diet Sunkist can.

More Joshuaisms. . .

In the car today, Joshua is explaining how when two rubber things rub together the sound hurts his ears. "It gives me chicken pox mom!" (He meant goose bumps)! How funny.