Hopes and Poop

Well, it's been a busy week for Joann and I traveling twice to Primary Children's in hopes to get some answers as to what's next with Tag.  We were really feeling hope that now that he's 4 months old, we'd be able to have the confidence of the specialists that surgery was imminent and possible.  In this, we were somewhat disappointed.

Also, after the MRI 6 days ago, Tag hadn't had a poop since.  He's been quite fussy and uncomfortable, as you can imagine. Today, I was at the office working and received a text from Joann that said, "We've got poop!"  I shouted out loud and gave Tag a cheer. Funny how my life has changed where I'm cheering for a badly needed poop by another human being. Isn't fatherhood great?

First we met with Dr. Bruggers, the oncologist assigned to Tag, and she reported the results of the 3rd MRI.  She said that the bump has actually grown a little bit, which shocked us all, as word was that typically Myofribroma's shrink over time.  However, we have learned that Tag's bump is so rare that they just don't have anything to go by or compare it to.  Honestly, we're talking only a hundred or so newborns have had anything at all like Tag.. in the history of medical record keeping!  Once again, Tag shows everyone that he's anything but typical.

She recommended that if Dr. Sadiki (cosmetic surgeon) feels it safe, she would like to see the bump come off, so we made an appointment with him.  We drove back up yesterday to meet with Sadiki and another new gentleman who is a neurosurgeon. Sadiki hadn't seen Tag for a few months and he reported he too was surprised that the bump had grown.  He and the new guy (can't remember his name) showed us the cat scans and we talked about what might be the next steps. I say might, because this is really uncharted territory for all of the capable staff up at Primary's.

Sadiki said that if the tumor hasn't invaded the skin (dermis) surrounding the bump, then we could take it off quickly, as the skin could be used to cover the spot.  However, if not, then we'd have to take the skin away with the tumor and in order to have enough skin (with hair follicles) to cover the spot, we'd have to do another surgery where they put skin extenders in another place on his skull to stretch the skin enough to create excess.  However, at Tag's current age his skull is simply too small and not developed enough to handle such things, and we'd have to wait until he's at least one year old to perform these procedures.  UGH.

Sadiki didn't know if the tumor had invaded the skin and he said he'd have to consult with Bruggers.  However, today Bruggers called Joann and said she would have no idea about the answer to that question and that was Sadiki's specialty.  This told me that Sadiki didn't have the answer when we were there and wasn't interested in telling us so.  Come on, Doc.. We can handle it.

The neurosurgeon commented that he was there to make sure that if they did do surgery and they found that the skull had gaps or holes in it, that he would be present to help do what was necessary to make sure Tag's brain was safe.  He felt the odds of this were very low, but that as a doctor in situations like this you want to be prepared for the worst, so that if in case it happens, a plan is in place.  I liked this man and agreed with his sentiments about being prepared.  

So now we await Sadiki's phone call to hear the answer to that question.  Obviously, we are hopeful that little Tag can get the bump removed sooner than later.  It just gets in his way and he is often grabbing and picking at it now that he is gaining control of his arms.

Thank you for all of your kind thoughts and prayers in Tag's behalf.  He really is such a happy little guy and makes people smile wherever he goes. Stay tuned.

Back in the Hospital

Quick Update:  We took Tag to Primary's for his 3rd MRI today.  He just came out and we are sitting in the recovery room.  He is groggy, grumpy and hungry.  It is very difficult to hold your son while they poke his little foot and insert the anesthesia. He fussed and moved around in my arms while the fogginess took over his little mind.  Joann and I hugged each other as they took him away, into the MRI scanning room and we both silently thought about the first two weeks of Tag's life, where we dealt with the concerns about his safety for 2 weeks straight.  We're not out of the water yet, that's for sure, and we continue to pray for his safety and recovery from whatever our doctors decide to do.

 While I write this, I'm sitting outside the cloth barrier of Tag's little space where Joann is feeding him.  It's really good to hear no fusses or sounds coming out of that area.  He's finally getting some food and hugs from a very loving and kind Mom.  Aaah, sweet relief!

 We meet with our oncologist tomorrow at Salt Lake Primary's to hear the results from the MRI and to discuss the future of "the Bump".  Whatever happens, I am so proud of my little son.  He handles things like a champion.

Tag, quite groggy...

Future Master's Champion?

This week, Joann and I will take Tag back to Primary Children's for his 3rd MRI. Now that he's passed the four month mark, he's old enough for us to consider surgery and we are excited to meet with our friends at Primary's to see if they agree that it's time to say goodbye to Tag's tumor.  As per usual, baby Tag brings us more smiles than frowns and I feel so lucky to get to be his Dad.

Today, in honor of The Masters, Tag wore his favorite golf hat to church and there wasn't a person that passed by that didn't smile.  Special thanks to Tag's cousin, Reece, for the cool sweater hand-me-down.  Very stylin'...

Tag inspires me every day to smile and take in all that life has to offer.  This has helped me many more times than I can count, as it's so easy to get caught up in bills, debts, and many other of life's dramas. When he smiles at me, all those things fade away and I find myself motivated to smile and be positive.

While we were in St. George, Tag got his first taste of a swimming pool.  He loved it!

He also has visited his Great Grandmother Beta (pronounced Bee'-tah) and he loves to play with his grandma Marina. 

PS. Grandpa Charles, Tag and I really enjoyed watching Phil Mickelson win his third green jacket today.  Amazing performance and super cool to watch him hug his wife Amy at the end as she is fighting breast cancer, as opposed to all the media coverage of Tiger Woods after he has cheated on his wife and kids multiple times.  Isn't Phil's the better, more newsworthy story?

Easter, 2010

Well, we finally arrived back home after more than 2 weeks in St. George.  This morning I awoke to 5 inches of new snow and I had the pleasure of shoveling snow with Grandpa Charles, rather than going on a walk in 60 degree weather in Utah's Dixie.  Why did we come home again?

All of Joann's family came down for LDS General Conference and Easter Dinner.  Conference happens every 6 months and is one of the more important and sacred weekends of the year, as we are privileged to hear the Prophet and many of the Apostles and other church leaders speak. As always, this year's topics and speakers did not disappoint. If you have never listened to an LDS conference, you have really missed out. Without a doubt, the overriding message of this conference was how critical it is for Moms and Dads to teach their children about the Savior while they are young so that they can withstand the overwhelming immorality and negative influences being thrown at today's youth.

Tag's Aunt Liz caught this photo of me playing with Tag today.

Howard and Babs drove down for dinner and Dad commented how much bigger Tag was looking after not seeing him for 3 weeks.  My Dad seems to want to hold Tag more than the all the rest.  He really feels a special bond with him and it's very heartwarming to watch.  Upon first seeing him, Howard got up close to Tag's face and started talking to him in his low, booming voice.  Tag got scared and started crying hard.  After a brief reprieve, Grandpa went in for another try and all was well. Grandpa Howard just can't get enough and I'm pretty sure Tag feels the same way.

There's no doubt Tag's getting bigger as my arms get tired faster when I hold him and walk around.  He still is constantly wanting nursing and as long as he's not hungry, he's one of the most happy little guys you'll meet.  He is beginning to attempt to use his talking skills multiple times throughout the day, although right now they are loud coo's where he puckers his lips and breathes loudly in and out.  I have attempted to catch these on film as they are priceless.

I'm such a sappy Dad, thinking my boy is the cutest in the room and want to show him off wherever we go. I sometimes wonder after people leave if they say, "Sheez, that Mitch is such a showoff!"  Joann and I are growing tired of the "bump" though, mostly because as Tag grows it seems to be getting in his way and he has begun grabbing at it.  It makes me wonder if it itches.  However, if I had one, I'd be grabbing at it too.

We have a 4 month checkup with the pediatrician tomorrow and are scheduled to do another MRI next week.  Tag turns 4 months old tomorrow.  Joann and I feel pretty strongly that we should have the bump removed, but we remain watchful and prayerful as we want to do what's best for Tag.

Happy Easter.