Play Ball!

After many weeks of hard work, and 3 intense days of tryouts, Craig has made the team! He is an outfielder for Red Mountain High School. We are so proud of him. Pictures to come for sure, as the almost 20 game schedule starts in 2 weeks!

What the boy wants...

...the boys gets. Nice grab of the flag Blake!

Wilson's Update

Wednesday was yet another visit to Phoenix Children's Hospital for Blake. I am continually amazed by the magnitude of this facility, and yet the personal attention that is given to Blake is the best!

We haven't been to see Dr.McOmber since October (planned that way), so we weren't really sure what to expect. We reviewed all his lab work that was done from the last two weeks and he was pleased to see, that little by little, Blake's liver function is slowly improving. It will be 2 years in March since this diagnosis rocked our family's world, yet it has been two years of watching great things happen for Blake.

Dr. McOmber was concerned that the tremors in Blake's hands (one of the side effect of this disease) are not improving, rather they have become much more noticeable, and are now dual function (both hands). Dr. McOmber will be meeting with a hepatologist (study of the liver and other internal organs and management of its disorders) and neurologist (Wilson's Disease can affect the cerebellum function of the brain) to discuss Blake's current situation and the steps that we will need to take for further treatment.

Every time we meet with Dr.McOmber we are so blessed with the knowledge he has, and the care that he gives Blake. He told us that Blake is one of 4 patients at PCH with Wilson's Disease. There are no more than 10 total in the entire state! Makes him an extra special kid. He shared with us that he would be telling a teenage girl and her family this week that after all of her tests and biopsies that she too has Wilson's Disease. I started to cry as he shared this, thinking back to the very first time we heard that news. You walk into an appointment not knowing what to think, and leave with a whirlwind of thoughts and fears. This disease is so rare, and yet when you hear of another person being diagnosed, you realize you are not alone. We may be given the opportunity to meet this family, as Dr. McOmber will be telling them that they can contact us if needed. I want this mom to know she is not alone; there is support out there and families who can help her begin this process of change for her daughter. We pray that we will get the chance to meet this family and help each other.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

(picture of Blake as Zeus in his school play, and Dylan his youth leader at church)