Mia's 41st Blood Transfusion

Mia got to sleep in today...which was much needed for the busy hospital day ahead. After we finally got ready, it was off to Starbucks for a yummy treat...a 'tall iced chocolate milk with lots of whip cream' please. This was the first time Madison had one too - not such a good idea, as you can see, she was a mess before we even got there!

If you could only see what her pants look like!

The Bell

Miss Maria at the front desk has a bell, but not just anyone can use it because it's tucked away and she has to get it out for anyone to press it. So Maria knows when Mia comes, to get it out. (She's been doing this for years!) As soon as Mia rings the bell, in the back you can hear, 'Mia's here!' from the nurses without seeing her...it is so funny, especially to Mia.

When we get back to our little bed, I like to get the IV over with as soon as possible. It's better for Miss Mia too. We love our nurse, Miss Christine...she knows just what to do!

Mia's poke movie - for her cousins!



We have always tried to get a video...and this is only one that has turned out! (Great job nurse Teressa!) Mia was so brave, as usual, and didn't cry one bit. I hope her cousins see this!

The IV - Mia DOES NOT like the tape...it's worse taking it off, than it is getting the IV in.

With every poke Mia gets to pick a toy from Andrea's Closet...today she picked something to hang on her backpack. Very cool!

The new DVD player at POTC...rocks! Mia watched Tinkerbell & 101 Dalmations.

Crafts, coloring, and painting...oh my! The things we do to keep the kids busy...who's idea was it to paint...???(Miss Christine!) Madison was an even bigger mess after that! But they had fun.

Mia's 41st blood transfusion went good...Mia was great...Madison, well...bless her heart, she starts out really good and then it just goes down hill. I think I have at least 15 new grey hairs!

Does she look sick?

Yesterday, Mia was crying as she got off the bus complaining that her ear really hurt! I took her to the Walgreen's 'take care clinic' and sure enough her eardrum had already ruptured. Ouch! Unfortunately this has happened before, she has had 2 sets of tubes, and it looks like she'll need to get them again. Thank goodness we already had a hematology appt. at 8 am the next morning...

Weight - measurements - BP - Temp - Check!

Then we usually wait for an hour...every time. Mia and Madison know right where the snacks and juice boxes are, they head for them as soon as we get to the room.

Time for a finger poke - it really is easy, right Mia? (Hgb 8.4)

There's a special treasure box for finger pokes...just what we needed, 2 whistle lips.

Since Mia's counts were low, we headed upstairs to POTC so she could be 'typed & crossed' - so the blood is ready for us on Thursday morning, and we don't have to wait around for it. It just means another poke...ouch! But Mia was very brave for this poke...she didn't even cry at all. She got to pick out a toy from Andrea's Closet...a tinkerbell doll.

Since they were both so good, we stopped by Wendy's on the way home for chicken nuggets and french fries...something that Mia will actually eat. The ketchup is always a big hit too! What a busy morning!

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In the afternoon...I got a phone call from: Arizona Long Term Care - Mia's 2ndary insurance. I gritted my teeth, oh no, it must be something bad about the court hearing. Actually, she called to let me know....that Mia has been accepted to stay on the insurance!!! She will be covered at least until September, when she turns 7. Then she will have to be 're-assessed.' Can you say...PRAISE THE LORD! I know without a doubt that this is a gift from Him...who can do the impossible. Because He did it today! Thank you God for your justice and mercy...

Savings again...

Fry's is having a really great deal right now...buy 10 participating items, and get $5.00 off. Pretty much everything I got I had a coupon for...except a few things like the water bottles, turkey bacon, and powerade. The total bill before any coupons was $96.19...gulp. Then I gave the cashier my Fry's card...and that took off 38.54. Then 2 - $5.00 off automatically because I bought 20 items for the 10 participating item deal...so minus $10.00. Onto my mfg coupons, I saved $14.60...and bonus coupon savings of $4.90 because they double up to .50 cents. The total I paid was $28.15. A sigh of relief! A savings of 68%. This post was created especially for: Christina! You can see her savings blog under my blog list called: Saving 4 My Family.

A morning in court

Our day in court...this picture was taken on our way out - thus the smiling faces - if it was before I know I would have looked like a nervous wreck. We went because Mia's secondary insurance Mercy Care contracted through the Arizona Long Term care, decided that she wasn't eligible because her DBA & TS isn't 'severe' enough to be covered under those services any more. There's so much more to it...too much to write. Basically we felt that no, she should qualify, and even if she truly doesn't, then at least we tried and did everything we could otherwise. The judge gave us a continum - we brought so much medical info for them to look at, and the Dr. who reviewed Mia's case (has never seen Mia) wants to see all her medical history since July '08. Well yeah, so much has happened since then...mostly her iron count is SO high -2241- it should be under 1000 - so both Matt & I have to meet with her hema/onoc Dr.'s and think of a course of action on what we are going to do with her. It's all being sifted through God's loving hands.



After that stressful morning, we headed to the Arizona Center and of course I had to get a Starbucks to calm the nerves. We walked around for a little bit and had lunch at Paradise Bakery. Matt & I are just praising the Lord for going before us and guiding us which is exactly what I prayed for last night. That He would guide our steps...

Show me your ways, O Lord,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O Lord.

PSALM 25:4-7

Tucson Tourney

Ashley helped out the Santan Legacy Blue team for the weekend in Tucson. She woke up Friday morning feeling sick. We had her stay home from school and rest. We headed down to Tucson Friday afternoon, to make it for the Fort Lowell Olympic Games that evening. She had a great time in this last year, so we were excited to go. Matt had to stay behind with Alyssa since her game was Sat. morning. So it was just Grandpa, Ashley, and I. Pam watched Madison and Mia stayed with Alyssa. Thanks for driving us Dennis!

The Fort Lowell Tournament - Olympic Games

The 'shoot out' - Ashley shot a goal in the upper right corner...way to go! They came in 2nd place for this game. We rushed over the 'juggling' afterwards, but we were too late and she wasn't signed up before hand. Ashley took 2nd last year and had been practicing hard for this event...next year we'll make sure she's signed up!

Ashley is so sick in these pictures...100.2 fever, but you would never know it. I loaded her up in ibuprofen. She refused to NOT play. The girl loves soccer...she had 2 assists this game and they won 4-1.

I like this picture because of the mountains in the back ground, it was so pretty there.

Ashley's biggest fans - Grandpa & Dad - you often can hear them coaching from the sidelines.

Alyssa took lots of pictures of Ashley - but they were mostly of her walking or standing around.

They 'sweeped' the tournament...nice job girls! #1!

Madison's trip to the zoo!

Today Madison and I went to the zoo! Alison was sweet to let us get in with her guest pass. Thanks! Alison's 3 kids Millay, William, and baby Wesley went too.

Millay, William, & Madison check out the fish.

Madison could've spent the whole day looking at the fish...

Huh, who me?!

Looking at the elephants - wish you were here Alyssa!

Madison was fascinated with the orangutans...especially the baby!

Monkey in a bag...

This is the baby orangutan playing in a bag...it was so cute & funny!

We went to Monkey village...Madison got a little scared because they were so close. How neat for her to see the monkey's - she would fit right in!

Time for Lunch!

She really loves her lunchbox...what a big girl!

On the way to the zoo, I said, 'Madison, do you want to see some lions?' and she said, 'no - donkey!' Thank-goodness they really did have a donkey there!

And a horse...

She was worried he was going to bite...but he didn't.

I think I'll take that little chick home!

Oh the goats...these smelly creatures are not my favorite, but where else can you brush them and be up close?!

The slide is always a big hit for Madison...





William & Madison -

Good thing it wasn't real!

Lookin' at the Wallaby's...

The last thing we did was look at the Giraffee's...but they were far away. Pushing the button listening to the man talk is just as much fun.