Update on Madiosn

It is day three of this rash and I am happy to report things are looking up. The rash did get worse this morning on her face but better on her stomach. The Doctor called to check on Madison and see how things were progressing, because she had a fever last night they wanted to see her today. We went in and saw a specialist.
They confirmed that she has Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
It has staged down from a six to a four I would say. It is still a possibility it could get in to her mouth and lungs so please keep her in your prayers, as of right now they sure are working!
They prescribed her and anti-itch medication, it seems to be working well, I have also been loading her up on buckets of eucerin cream. It seems to be the only thing that makes the rash dull. I just gave her an Oatmeal bath and she is a happy camper, and ready for bed. I am hoping she will sleep better tonight. It has been tough the last couple nights and she sure could use a good rest.

The Lord has shown his grace so much to us and to our Madison. He sure answers prayers and listens to us in our time of need. I just want to thank all of you that are praying for her and for us. It means so much. A friend sent me this scripture and it meant a lot so I am going to share.

"Then they cried to the lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them." PSALM 107:19


I will keep you posted as things progress=)

~Cyn~

erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson syndrome

I took Madison to the Doctor today. She has erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson syndrome. They said they would have wanted to see her yesterday if they new it was as bad as it is, but it was worse this morning so I guess it was best I took her today. She looks really bad I am really scared for her. She was seen by three different Doctors and all were very concerned. The horrible thing for her is that there is no treatment unless it stages get worst she is at about a 6 right now, 10 being death! So I am a little freaked out.

Here is a little about erythema multiforme/Stevens-Johnson

Erythema multiforme is a type of allergic reaction that occurs in response to medications, infections, or illness. Medications include:

• Barbiturates
• Penicillins
• Phenytoin
• Sulfonamides

Erythema multiforme (also known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome [SJS]) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are often confused in the medical literature.

In 1860, Ferdinand von Hebra initially described erythema multiforme as an acute, self-limited condition with characteristic red papular skin lesions.¹ The papules evolve into pathognomonic target lesions or iris lesions that appear within a 72-hour period and begin on the extremities. Lesions remain in a fixed location for at least 7 days and then begin to heal. Precipitating factors include herpes simplex virus (HSV), Epstein-Barr virus, and histoplasmosis. Because this condition may be related to a persistent antigenic stimulus, recurrence is the rule rather than the exception, with most affected individuals experiencing 1-2 recurrences per year. Erythema multiforme is typically a benign, self-limited disorder.

SJS is a mucocutaneous disorder. It was first described by Stevens and Johnson in 1922 as febrile erosive stomatitis, severe conjunctivitis, and disseminated cutaneous eruption.² Lesions typically begin on the face and trunk. They are flat, atypical lesions, described as irregular purpuric macules with occasional blistering. Most patients also have extensive mucosal involvement. More than 50% of all cases are attributed to medications. This is a more serious illness and is potentially life threatening.

The confusion between these two separate clinical entities began in 1950, when Thomas coined the terms erythema multiforme minor and erythema multiforme major to describe conditions he encountered.

• Erythema multiforme minor was applied to patients with the illness originally described by von Hebra as erythema multiforme.
• Erythema multiforme major was applied to patients who also displayed oral mucosal involvement, similar to that described by Stevens and Johnson.

Up to 50% of patients with HSV-associated erythema multiforme have been found to have oral ulcers. However, this is now recognized as a variant of erythema multiforme, rather than SJS. Because SJS and erythema multiforme have different precipitating factors and different clinical patterns, the terms erythema multiforme major and erythema multiforme minor should no longer be used.

• Erythema multiforme with mucosal involvement is now termed bullous erythema multiforme.
• SJS is recognized as a separate clinical entity.

Lyell first described TEN in 1956.³ His original description made no reference to the work of Stevens and Johnson. The distinction between SJS and TEN is not clear. In fact, these conditions probably represent differing severities of the same disease process.

SJS and TEN have similar precipitating factors, identical histopathologic lesions, and similar clinical patterns. By current convention, the following terminology is used:

• The term SJS is used when the disease involves less than 10% of the total body surface area.
• TEN is used when the disease involves more than 30% of the body surface area.
• Patients whose disease involves 10-30% of their body surface area are said to have SJS/TEN overlap. Mortality increases as the percentage of involved body surface increases, making TEN the more severe of the skin reactions.

I just ask that all of you pray for her. Please ask the Lord to watch over her and help her heal fast. I trust in the Lord with all my heart and know that in times like these I am so greatful he is in my life. I truly don't know what I would do with out the Faith I have in him.

I opened up my bible and just read and these stood out to me I thought they just fit.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Mt 6:34

"Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest." Mt. 11:28

Thank you all for thinking about Madison and Praying for her. I will keep you updated on her condition as it gets better or worse.

~Cyn~

It never ends

Today was day nine of antibiotics for the girls. All had gone well up until this morning, Madison woke up complaining that she itched and she was scratching her leg. I brought her in to the bathroom to examine her in the light. I was afraid she was having another hive episode, since it just happened a few months ago. Well she had a bunch of small red bumps all over her legs, she has a few cat scratches and they were red and swollen and irritated. She was really annoyed so I brought her down stairs and gave her some liquid benadryl and put benadryl cream on some of the really bad bumps and scratches. She didn't complain much more for a couple hours then I noticed that there were way more bumps and they moved to her face.
My first thought was chicken pox, not that we know anyone who has chicken pox but I really wasn't sure what else it could be. So I kept with the cream and liquid benadryl.
When she woke up from her nap it had gotten really bad. Nathan and I were examining her and all of a sudden I realized when I picked up the prescription I asked the pharmacist what the signs were of an allergic reaction and he said around day eight or nine a rash would occur. So I called the advise nurse to see if we needed to bring her in or if there was anything we could do to help her. Pretty much what I was doing was all we could do and to stop giving her the antibiotics. She has an appointment tomorrow morning they will check out her bumps and see if her ear infection's gone.
She is really bugged by all of this, she keeps scratching and asking for lotion to make it feel better. I feel so bad for her and when there is nothing you can really do it is frustrating. As a mommy you want to make it all go away and make it feels better. =(
All we can do now is pray for her that she will be comfortable enough to sleep, and we will get more answers tomorrow. Please say a prayer for her that this is just a mild reaction and she will get better soon.

~Cyn~

Happy birthday Nathan/ I hate being sick

This has been the worst cold/flu season I have ever experienced, I have been sick five times! This one by far is the worst. I am stuffed up and have a runny nose all at the same time, my lugs hurt and my cough is deep and nasty junk keeps escaping! I have said why me more times in the last 12 hours then ever before.

I am grateful Madison and Trinity are feeling better they are on there seventh day of antibiotics, only three more to go. I am really hoping this is the last time we will be sick this season. I think we have had our fair share these nasty germs can find something else to affect!

On a better note, we celebrated Nathan's 31st birthday this weekend. We went shooting(his favorite thing to do) had a BBQ Saturday evening with friends and then on Sunday celebrated with his family by going to Chang's Mongolian Grill. It is a tradition to celebrate birthdays there. We all love it! Nathans mom made him a yummy yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting. It was soooo good! Nathan was disappointed that Madison woke up the next morning and ate the rest of the cake! She was a chocolate mess!

I have to say he might be 31 but he still looks 25. =) It has been almost 9 years since I met this great guy, he swept me off my feet the moment I met him. I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with him. Happy Birthday Babe I love love love you!!! Muah!
Nathans mom made this, it was delicious!
I made green velvet cupcakes insted of red velvet, Nathans request=)
Madison wanted to help daddy blow out the candles.

Birthday Party leads to Double ear infections and bronchitis!

Today I took the girls to the Doctor, something I usually try to avoid. Not because I don't like the Doctors office mostly because we don't have Insurance and it is EXPENSIVE! Too expensive! Nathan and I usually read up on there symptoms on the internet and call the advice nurse, this has helped us avoid the Doctor office many of times. Well not this time!
Trinity has had a high fever since right after her birthday party. It has been between 103-104. I have been giving her Tylenol (when she will take it) it will help for a little bit but spike right back up once it wears off. She has also been fighting a bad cough for about a week. So I just had the "Mom" feeling to take her to the Doctor. On top of all that Madison has woke up the last couple nights crying and saying her ears hurt. Tylenol helped her and she would just go right back to sleep. I have never dealt with ear infections Alexis and Brandon avoided them there entire life(so far). Madison and Trinity have also never really been that sick, not sick enough to take to the Doctor at least.
Well I took them both in today, I only scheduled Trinity and when the Doctor said that Trinity had double ear infection I asked her to look in Madison ears as well and she had an infection in her right ear.
So it was off to the Pharmacy for Amoxicillin $50 later we headed home to start getting these girls better. They have to take it for ten days twice a day. I am so glad I went to the Doctor. I know it is going to cost over $200 for a ten minute visit. Our health care system is so horrible!!!
When it comes down to it I know there are just times I have to take them and have to just deal with paying the bill.
Please say a little Prayer for our munchkins to make a speedy recovery =)

Here are a couple pics of them playing peek a boo with me earlier.

Trinity's Birthday Party

It was a lot of fun! It went great, all the kids had a blast and I am glad it is all over with now. There was a lot of people here almost to many! I am glad everyone loves my baby girl. It is good to know she is loved.

Everything went good, well almost everything Trinity didn't want to put on her pretty princess dress she fought and screamed yanked and pulled...

Patti and I had a heck of a time getting her dress on! It took both of us! She is such a little stinker!

I really enjoyed making the cupcakes. I love her Birthday is around Valentines day there is a lot of really cute decorations! I got heart shaped cupcake holders and pretty sprinkles. Patti gave me the cupcake rack for Christmas and it worked so good!! (Thanks!)

I am so happy it was Another successful party and now today we are doing nothing but recuperating!!

Happy Birthday Trinity Elizabeth

Today two years ago I gave birth to my tiny beautiful Trinity Elizabeth. She weighed 5lbs. 15oz. was 18inches. She came three weeks early, I was really glad because I was on bed rest for three months!

Trinity by far is the loudest of my four children, she has a voice like no other...lol She is sweet yet demanding she loves bananas, chips, toast and her favorite word is no no Maddy. She has been such a joy for me and at times the most difficult child ever. I am blessed to have had this little love bug, I lost a baby two weeks before I conceived her. I didn't even know I was pregnant till I was about 5 months along! I thank God for her and my family everyday. I love that I got to have two little girls with Nathan. I once wanted this life so badly and never thought it would be mine. I can not believe how the Lord answers prays he is such a good loving Lord, one who I can never be thankful enough, he is the reason I have this life and my life is better then I could have ever imagined. He has given me a beautiful family a hard working husband and I will never feel worthy.

Trinity I thank you for being apart of my life, my journey and forever being my daughter. I promise to be the best Mother I can be, I will try to give you the best tools to become a wonderful woman, mother ,wife and friend the rest I will leave up to the Lord. He lives in you and I hope he will forever have a place in your heart, for you are a reason he is in mine.

I love you baby girl Happy Birthday.

Rollin and bouncin

We have been involved in a lot of activities lately, from roller skating to basketball, to slumber parties! I love to keep them busy, especially in the winter. Staying inside everyday can wear on you after awhile. I am so glad that the winter is going to be over soon. Don't get me wrong, I love winter the cold crisp air and snow I love bundling up in warm clothes scarves and hats!!! But I am over it!

I am just ready for the warm again. We have a huge yard and the kids love to be outside. It wears them out and makes life a little easier. The sun shine fills the house and your heart and everyone seems to be in a better mood.

Brandon started Basketball! Every Tuesday it is off to marshal center for practice and every Saturday he has a game. I am glad that we have winter sports it breaks up the monotony of being stuck inside. I really love going and watching him interact with the other boys, it is funny watching them work out who is Alpha, and throw a couple girls in the mix and they are not sure what to do. I am so glad that he has girls on his team. I think it is so good for boys to see that girls can be just as good at sports or anything for that matter. It doesn't seem to bug Brandon at all. He hasn't said anything and that makes me think we as his parents did something right raising him ..lol only kidding. I am just glad the first thing out of his mouth when we got in the car after his first practice wasn't ohh man we got girls on our team. Instead he said hey mom can you buy me a basketball, then I'm really hungry...=)

On to rollin. Daniel (my lil bro) called last week and said hey we should take the kids Ice skating, I knew they would really love to go so we made it a date. When it came time to go things got in the way and we ended up going roller skating instead. I think it worked out better because they know how to roller skate and we didn't have to drive all the way down to Portland. They all had a blast, minus the bad fall Brandon had it was a great time. They asked if we would take them more often. I think a once a month trip is in order from now on!

Brandon liked the roller bades better then the skates.

Of course Alexis made a friend, she always does little miss social butterfly.

She is always taking such silly pics!

The boys stuck together.

I have a great system worked out with my cousin Cherissa, once a month I have her kids over on Friday night for a little slumber party then on Saturday she has the kids over to her house for a slumber party. That way we both get a break. It works out so well. The kids really love it because they get two nights of sleep overs. By Sunday night they are so worn out that by 7 they are tucked in bed passed out! It is the one weekend of the month I look forward to the most!!

Cute Kiki

This so adorable, funny, cute, silly..

lol.Messy Pizza face Trinity.

The girls winding down watching a movie.

I suggest if you have a friend or family member you could do this with bring it up have a chat with them and I am sure they would love the idea of having a night all alone!!!

So folks that's all for now. Make sure you are checking out the new links. I have been slowly posting... I think it all is coming along nicely=) What do you think???
~Cyn~

New Look New Links

As you can see I have made a few changes. During the last couple weeks I was brain storming on how to make this blog more interesting, I came up with the cooking, photography, scrapbooking and crafting. I wanted to have links to these catagories so I wasn't over posting on my main blog.
right over there on your right are some new links--------->
or you can click on these.
Home
Photography
Cooking
Scrapbooking
Crafting
I have not posted anything as of right now. I will be posting on the Cooking and photography blogs tonight, if I can get to both=)
The last couple days are kind of a blur. I have been putting a lot of time in to making these look nice. I took pictures, made the headers, looked at a million blog templates. For the most part I am happy with how they turned out. Once I get in the swing of posting I think I will fell more accomplished.
I hope you take the time to check them out and give me some feed back. This will be an interesting new journey. I am really excited to sharing it with all of you =)

~Cyn~