Battle Ready Sword Cane

I haven't updated on Todd lately and I need to. So here's the latest.

Todd got his PICC line removed on Thursday, September 9th. It was a scary and exciting moment for both of us. Scary because those anitibiotics were what was keeping the infection under control.....what was saving him. Scary because what if the infection wasn't completely gone? His numbers were good, but the doctor said there was a 5% chance that the infection could still be in a pocket somewhere and that eventually it could grow and we'd be exactly where we started in the first place. SCARY!

But of course, it was exciting because NO MORE PICC LINE! It was a pain to work around and to shower around (we had to cover it completely with saran wrap and tape before he showered). It started to bleed the week before he had it removed and I pretty much freaked out. We found out eventually that one of the stitches had come lose and had caused a sore, which is where the bleeding was coming from. But it was really scary at the time. So it was such a nice feeling to be rid of that thing.....that life-saving thing! Sort of contradictory, isn't it?

But it's been 2 weeks now and so far things are okay. He has improved quite a bit. He began this journey with 2 crutches......eventually went to just one.....and now he uses a cane. He can limp around without it, but not for very long. He is very stiff in the mornings, very similar to arthritis pain. Once he gets going, he does okay, for the most part. But by the evening, he is tired and sore. I'm still hoping for even more improvements.....

He returned to work last Monday, the 13th, so tomorrow will mark his second full week. We are so grateful for the progress he has made and life is good!

In honor of his "cane-filled" future, he recently made a cool purchase online.

Introducing the Battle Ready Sword Cane! It arrived today and Todd wouldn't let any of us open it until he got home. He wanted to open it himself.....I guess I can't blame him, but the kids were dying.

Out of the cane-sheath....

Biggest grin ever......fight me. I dare you!

Admiring its craftmanship......just like a true swordsman.

See the point on that thing? I wouldn't try and fight him if I were you. He is armed....and....dangerous!

It's actually a really cool "toy." Although it's more than a toy. It's actually a real orthopedic cane and the sword is made of pure, bonafied, 1055 carbon steel. The only down side? It's a little tall.....it's more like a sword cane for a giant. But Todd still loves it and is ready for battle! So watch out!

I wouldn't challenge him to a duel if I were you......just saying.

Dallin turns 11!

Dallin had a birthday last week....exactly 1 week ago today, in fact. And here I am finally blogging about it.

The day started out with a few presents. He got a DVD called Planet Earth because he loves science stuff. And a science kit with all kinds of cool tools. He also got a gift certificate to the Army Navy Store.....that way he can pick out something he wants for camping. He was pretty excited and thankful.

Around 5:30 we headed to Leatherby's for an ice cream/french fries dinner. That does count for dinner, doesn't it? On this day it did, and it was a lot of fun!

Even Dad got to come! That was exciting too.

In true Jones fashion (for our family anyway), you don't get away without the Leatherby's crew singing to you on your birthday. And today was no exception. So we told them, and they brought Dallin an ice cream scoop with a candle in it, and then they sang to him. He was so cute. I wonder what he wished for.....

Kyle, Eric, and Grandpa Johnson.....

The family.....

Brandon and Grandma Johnson......

Mom and Dallin.....

I can't believe Dallin is 11 years old. He is a very sweet, tender-hearted kid. He is quiet and a serious thinker. He is smart and talented. He is my biggest helper! He doesn't complain (mostly) and does what I ask the first time. I am so grateful he is a part of our family. He is a good example to his brothers and every Fast Sunday, he fasts longer than any of his brothers! He is such a cutie!

Happy Birthday Dallin! We hope you had a super terrific day! We love you!

School has begun

Yes, school started last week and we are now in full swing. My little Jacob started FIRST grade! I can't believe it. He was excited and confident when the big day finally arrived. And he had a good day, except for the time when he fell apart during lunch. The principal told me he cried when amidst all the people in the cafeteria. She also told me it was enough to make any kid cry.....it was pretty chaotic and overwhelming. But after that incident, he was fine and made it through the day just great. There hasn't been another "glitch" since and I'm so proud of him.

The other day Jacob said, "I LOVE first grade......except when it's long." So cute! I laughed out loud.


And Kyle.....he has been so excited to start 3rd grade. He has a teacher this year who I'm so happy about. He (Mr. Campbell) is going to be so good for him. Kyle happily exclaimed every day of the first week, "I don't have any homework tonight." To which I would reply, "I'd better call Mr. Campbell and fix that." And Kyle would just smile. Well, he's got homework this week! Poor Kyle....But he's a little smarty and he'll do just fine!

Sweet Dallin.....my big 5th grader. He also has an excellent teacher this year whom I was hoping he would get. She's a tough teacher and will make him work hard, and I'm so glad about that. Dallin loves to be challenged and is a definite "teacher/people pleaser." He excells in all areas and challenges himself to do better. I'm excited to see the growth from him this year. He's already tried to do every "extra credit" assignment possible. He's also going to try the clarinet this year. He can't wait to get started.

Brandon, my big 8th grader this year......just got braces on August 17th. I think he was a little nervous and a little excited all at the same time. He is taking concert band this year and wants to get into Jazz Band also. He plays the flute and just recently (this summer) we got him an alto saxophone. He's practiced quite a bit and is ready for the challenge. I swear I can't get a sound out of either instrument. What the heck?! I don't get it, but Brandon seems to do great. Way to go buddy!

And here's mr. goofball himself (I only say that because of his hilarious expressions in seemingly every picture).....my beloved-16-year-old-teenager-who-has-not-yet-been-on-a-date, but we're not complaining....Eric. He's a junior this year! My brain still does not comprehend it. What happened to the little tyke who had to have a "special" person in nursery just to watch him so he wouldn't escape as soon as the door opened a crack? I can still remember those days vividly and boy was it embarrassing! :) But look at him now. He's all grown up....well he's growing up! He's got AP physics this year and pre-calculus and I can't comprehend that either. He's considered dropping the physics class and taking astronomy instead, but hasn't seemed to be able to make up his mind yet. Good luck with that one, Eric. I'm really no help in that department.

On the first day of school, Eric was asked by his choir teacher if he wanted to be in Madrigals this year. What? We were a little surprised....not because I don't think he can't sing, but because typically I think you're actually supposed to "try out" for such a group. I've heard they're always looking for boys though, who can actually carry a tune. Eric couldn't decide what to do. We talked about the time commitment and wondered if it was something he could handle this year in combination with his other classes.....and then I told him to pray about it. I told him it was a big decision to make and that we'd support whatever he decided. I didn't push the issue for him to be in the group because I worried abou the pressure he'd feel and I figured only he would be able to make that decision on his own. In the end, after talking to his choir teacher again, he decided to wait until next year. I was really proud of him. Of course, we don't know if the opportunity will still be there as a Senior, but I guess we'll just have to see what happens. I do think it would have been a lot for him to handle as a Junior.

So there they are. Growing up more everyday! I have all my kids in all-day school this year for the first time and I've been freaking out a little. But I think I'll surive.....now if I could just get my husband out of the house and back to work.....hee, hee

Speaking of Todd: He is continuing to improve. We had an appt with the surgeon yesterday and they took another x-ray. It's crazy the contrast between the two hips, the healthy one and the damaged one. You can totally see a difference. But the doctor said that in Todd's case, it's very possible that his hip will fuse on its own over time. That sounded a little scary at first, but the way he explained it, it appeared to be a positive thing. For one, that will eliminate surgery again in the near future. It could buy Todd some time until something more permanent needs to be done, like a hip replacement. Also, the risk of having another infection is always higher in a person who has already had one, and if you get an infection in "hardware," that can be really bad, so the longer he can wait to have something artificial put in, the better. We do have an appointment in October with another surgeon, so we'll get a second opinion and see what he says.

Yesterday was another day of humility. We are so thankful for the improvements Todd is making. While the previous doctor visit (a few weeks ago) was very hard, yesterday's was filled with hope and a new found gratitude for the blessings we've received (and are receiving). It's hard to put into words exactly how we feel, but we know the Lord has had a hand in this experience. We know He has extended His mercy to us. We know our prayers (and the prayers of many, many others) have been heard. We know we are stronger and better people than before. We are humbled by the outpouring of love from our Savior. And we are so grateful to live in a time where medical technology is growing in leaps and bounds and that there are options for Todd's future. There are so many things to be thankful for.....