Melissa hanging out with her school friends

Sunday, March 7, 2010

It has been a blessing to watch Melissa be a kid. Since she has started school she has made some friends and everyday these 4 have to give each other a hug before starting the school day. Melissa was in the same class with the other three, but I ended up moving her to another room because of some behavior issues she was having. Things are better for her and she loves her new teachers and has made friends in her new class room.

On Friday Melissa and I met her friends and their moms at the park. It was a beautiful early spring day. The kids had fun running around chasing each other. I love seeing Melissa with her friends just having a good time and not a care in the world. In her little friends eyes there isn't anything wrong with Melissa, they don't know she has CF. Melissa doesn't even know that she has CF, we talk about it with her but she is to young to understand. God has blessed Melissa with lots of wonderful friends and we are so thankful to have each and every friend.

Melissa meets BOZ the Bear

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Last Sunday Boz the Bear Next Door came to our Church to put on a show for all the kids 2yr-5yr. Melissa was excited that Boz was going to be at Church. She watches his videos so she was ready to sing and dance. Her Sunday school teacher said that her and the other kids danced and sang the whole time. After Church Boz Melissa got to take her picture with Boz.

Tonight we are taking Melissa to ride Thomas the Tank Engine. He is here in North Texas for two weekends. I will post pictures of that later on this weekend.

Latest Update on Melissa

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I wanted to give you an update on Melissa. Two weeks ago Melissa came down with either a sinus infection or an Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), took her in to her primary doctor. After three days (last Friday) she started coughing really bad. With Melissa having CF we always have to keep and eye on her when she starts coughing. After talking with the CF Clinic on Friday we started her on her breathing treatments and they wanted us to call back on Monday (yesterday) to give them an update on Melissa. She was still coughing so they had Melissa come in today for a checkup she had to have chest x-rays taken.
After talking with the doctor the cough could be one of three things.
1) she could be coughing because of the drainage from this last URI
2) RSV is going around and she could had had a touch of it
3) It could be caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Back in December she had a throat culture taking and it showed that Melissa was growing Pseudomonas aerugionsa. This is a type of bacteria that, among other things, causes lung infections in people with CF. Melissa is now taking her regular breathing treatments but has to take TOBI( Tobramycin Inhalation Solution which is a inhealed medication for CF patients. Melissa is also on a strong antibiotic to help kill this bacteria. If untreated this could cause a lot of lung problems for Melissa. Her chest x-rays came back looking good and her lungs sound clear. So with this treatment we should be able to stop the bacteria from spreading to her lungs. She isn't contagious so she can still be around everyone.

Paul and I want to thank you all for being so supportive of Melissa. She has been doing well these past 2 1/2 years and we hope she stays this way for ever. We know that things could get worse, but we pray that the cure for CF comes soon.

Please continue to keep Melissa in your thoughts and prayers.

Thank,
Traci

Pictures of our nephew and niece

Sunday, February 28, 2010


Got word from my mom that my sister is doing well from the c-section and that River and Ecko are doing great as well. We thank God for taking care of them. Peyton is going home tonight but River and Ecko have to stay at the hospital. Not sure when they will get to come come.

Look at these precious pictures.


Proud Dad Alex

This is Baby Ecko Jude

DD holding Ecko Jude

DD holding Rver

Proud mommy holding River

The proud parents

Proud Great Grandmother (Mema)

River and Ecko

Ecko getting some food

Welcome our newest family members

Thursday, February 25, 2010

My sister Peyton and Brother in-law welcomed into the world their twins today. The babies are about 6 weeks early. Peyton went to the hospital last night because her blood pressure was up, the doctor wanted to keep her at the hospital over night to monitor her blood pressure. About 1:00pm today the doctor told Peyton and Alex that she had preeclampsia and that they need to deliver the babies today. So after a c-section Peyton and Alex finally got to meet their babies.
Peyton is doing well after the c-section.

River Isabella was born @ 7:16pm weighing in at 3lb 11oz, 16 1/2in long
Ecko Jude was born @ 7:17pm weighing in at 4lb 6oz, 18in long

Both River and Ecko are doing well and are breathing on their own. They are in NICU and hoping they don't have to stay in there long.
We also know that Peyton is not a carrier for CF so we don't have to worry about them having CF.
Paul, Melissa and I won't get to meet River and Ecko until May, it is going to be so hard not go visit before then. Melissa doesn't understand about her baby cousins. She knows that they are in Auntie Peyt's tummy, but she isn't going to understand when she sees pictures of them. Once I get pictures I will post them.

Melissa having stomach problems CFrelated

Thursday, February 25, 2010
Over the last couple of weeks I have noticed Melissa has had some stomach issues. As a CF caregiver one thing I have to do is make sure Melissa's BM is normal. If you don't have CF or don't take care of anyone with CF then this post might seem like to much TMI (To Much Info). Well one thing Paul and I noticed when Melissa was born she had a lot of greasy stool. As she has gotten older we have had noticed it every once an a while and also that she has a lot of gas. Since Melissa has been on enzymes she has only had to increase the amount she takes four times. The last time the doctor increased her enzymes was back in September 2009. That put her at 4 enzymes per meal and 2 enzymes for a snack. Two weeks ago when I noticed Melissa having trouble the doctor said to give her 5 enzymes per meal and 3 per snack. That didn't seem to help. Melissa was still having lots of gas and her stool was still greasy. This past Monday I called back and told the clinic and they said to give her 6 enzymes per meal and see if that helps. I have to say it is working!
I'm sure all of you with CF can relate to Melissa. I'm glad we could figure the problem out that nothing else was wrong.

Our Winter Wonderland 2/11/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

On February 11, 2010 we woke up to snow. The local weather said we would get about 2-3 inches of snow, but we got a lot more than that. I think we got around 6 inches, but DFW airport got over 12 inches. That is a lot of snow for North Texas. Melissa and I had a blast playing in it and then when Paul got home from Russia he helped us make another snowman.

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DD comes for a visit

On February 5, 2010 DD came for a visit. It had been about 4 months since DD has been to see us. Melissa had a blast the her DD. Melissa and DD made Valentine cookies and just played. DD gave Melissa a Thomas the Train set and also a Mickey Mouse floor puzzle for Valentine's .

Can you tell what part of making cookies Melissa likes?

Melissa giving DD her Valentine's Day gift

Playing with her new train

DD laying with Melissa in her big girl bed.

Melissa saying the Pledge to the American Flag

One thing Melissa is learning in preschool is the Pledge Allegiance to Flag. It's fun to watch her learning new things at school. She is memorizing the Lord's prayer, bible verses. I thought I would share this video with you.

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CF Investigational Drug VX-809 Shows Encouraging Results in Phase 2a Trial - CF Foundation

This is great news for Melissa and cystic fibrosis patients who have the Delta F508 gene mutation. Melissa has the Delta F508 gene. I just hope this new drug will come out before Melissa has any lung problems.
Thanks to all those who have helped raise money to find a cure.

Click on this link to read all about the drug.
CF Investigational Drug VX-809 Shows Encouraging Results in Phase 2a Trial - CF Foundation