Hi there - no post in awhile.  I've been busy setting up surgery details for this Friday.  I can't believe the "day" is almost here.  Ugh.

Cody's had more of his bad seizures which is more of a confirmation that the surgery is the right call.  Oddly, I'm grateful for the clarity - the big seizures mean that what we're currently doing isn't enough.  So while I curse them, I'm also somewhat grateful that the decision has been made very very clear.  Three or 4 of the "screaming, lips turning blue from not breathing" seizures and I'm about ready to run to the hospital to have the VNS put in!  Strange how things change, isn't it? 

Cody had a relatively good past week - even with the bad seizures.  He had 3 hours of ABA therapy each day provided by his school, then I do ABA with him at night, and he has a home provided therapist that comes twice a week for 2 hours each time.  He's doing just fabulous still.  Right now he can identify 5 pictures by their name:  binky, drink, mommy, elmo, and daddy.  If you hold them all up and say "where's elmo?" he'll point right to Elmo.  It's so awesome.  Not much else exciting went on - just lots of therapy and such. 

We went to Don's company picnic yesterday but Cody was a screaming madman so I drove him around in the car while Don socialized with Casey - then we just called it a day and went home.  Poor Cody just doesn't like the outdoors - the sun, the wind, the grass - he just wants to be in his own living room blowing raspberries. 

Don and I got out Friday night which was great.  My mom, her brother and his wife, and my cousin all were staying at the Tulalip Resort and we drove up to meet them to say hi.  It's got a pool, golf course, amphitheatre for concerts, a bunch of restaurants, a spa, and a casino.  So Don and I, feeling daring because we were out alone, made a decision to have a $40 budget and play blackjack.  We were so hysterical - everyone there was clearly gambling with the big bucks.  And we sat down at our table with our measly $40 and played.  The dealers laughed at us.  But we had the last laugh because we walked away with $100 profit!  It was so funny.  If you know me at all, you know I'm the most frugal person on the planet...mostly because every monetary amount translates (to me) into "nanny hours."  If we go to McDonalds and it costs $20...I always say outloud..."that was 2 nanny hours we just spent!"  The luxury of nanny help colors how I spend money on anything because the opportunity cost for every dime spent is glorious help with the boys!  So we sat down at the card table with our "4 nanny hours" worth of money and imagine my thrill when we left the resort with "10 nanny hours" worth of money!  Haha.  And we had fun to boot.  My uncle has Parkinsons and it was neat to see him - he lives in Palm Springs so we don't see him much.  And I haven't seen my cousin in at least a decade.  It was nice to catch up. 

This week has 3 pre-surgery appts. in store plus a Dentist appt. for Cody.  I noticed that his teeth have turned greyish-brown.  I'm not sure why - perhaps the meds he's on?  He has a huge "binky mouth" which means his top teeth are very protruded but I've always considered that just a fact of life.  There are times that binky helps him so dramatically that I don't want to take it away.  He has such an oral need -- that the binky is often the best of the evils.  He's bitten holes all over our couch, his clothes, he bites his arms...but if you put a binky in it helps keep him from demolishing everything else. 

Casey's doing great - as cute as ever!  He is obsessed with our cell phones so I bought him a toy one that looks identical.  He grabbed it immediately and walked around the house with it up to his ear saying "goo!  DADA!  gah gah!"  He knew just what to do with it!  He's becoming really interested in pictures of himself so I made him a little photo album of our family members and he loves the pictures of him! 

I guess I should ask for prayer for the week to come - for successful surgery for Cody.  We hope for no infections from the incision sites, a device that operates perfectly, a good muscle biopsy that gives us a definitive answer as to what's ultimately wrong with Cody, a good recovery without much pain, and for ease with Cody not picking at or grabbing the incision sites.  I'm afraid we'll have to put him in arm restraints until the wounds heal and the stitches are gone.  We cant' even put a bandaid on him without him eating it.  And I hate the thought of him in arm restraints for days.  Also prayer for me as I cope with the thought of my little one being sliced open.  So hard.

That's it for now - with much love,

shawna