Brayton grew his angel wings

I know that it has been over a year since I have updated this blog, but I have tragic news to share with you, since Brayton has been such a big part of my life.

In December 2010, he had huge scare, after a stent errouded his espogus, causing saliva, food,, mucus, etc., to leak into his lungs. Though the Doctors did not expect him to survive, he did like he always had, and proved everyone wrong. In July Brayton became sick again, and flown to San Fransisco. He was put onto life support, awaiting surgery to repair another fistula; something extrememly rare to reoccur. Finally they had no choice but to do surgery, though it was extremely risky. Thousands of people prayed, and were thankful that he made it out of surgery. He had been placed on an ECMO machine, which is a lot like the heart/lung bypass machine, in hopes of letting his extremely damaged lungs heal. Because a blood thinner is required to keep the blood from clotting in the ECMO machine, Brayton began to bleed internally, which formed a clot. After the heart wrenching realization that there was nothing left to do for Brayton, his support was withdrawn, and Brayton peacefully went to heaven on August 28th, 2011. I will share what I posted on my iCare site, as it best describes how I feel:

Brayton Lester was born on June 30, 2008 with a birth defect called Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophogeal Atresia. It is a defect where the esophagus is not properly connected, and the trachea & esophagus are abnormally connected. Brayton spent the first 10 months of his life in the NICU/PICU and returned for numerous hospitalizations throughout his too-short 3 year life. The Lesters endured incredible challenges as a result of traveling 5-6 hours each way to the closest hospital equipped to treat Brayton and when Brayton was home he required around the clock care. Despite these challenges, Brayton brought great joy to their lives and his absence will be felt forever.

iCare was founded because of Brayton in 2008. Without him, iCare would have not been created, therefore unable to help it's many wonderful families over the past 3 years, bringing in over $20,000. So I thank you Brayton! You helped so many people in your short lifetime~ More than most adults who live to be 100 years old. You were an angel sent to earth! I love you sweet angel. I will carry you inside my heart forever. Now fly amongst the stars!

With much sadness,

Diana Hartley

Founder of iCare

Hurry up and wait.

Well, we are still waiting. We are hoping that we will be out with in the month, so we can get a start on this scary new adventure. It really stinks to sit back and stress about your future; Will you be homeless? Will you be financially ruined? Will you be A-ok? I just want it over with. We are hoping and praying that they find his disability 100% combat related, giving us both a check from the Army, as well as the VA. So, if you could spare a prayer, that would be wonderful!

John has an appointment at the Barrows Neurological Institute, in Phoenix. They will be looking into the possibility of having a pain pump, installed internally. They also will probably look into the filler that leaked out, and hardened. We found out that the filler is shearing off the nerves in his spine, leaving him a 70% of becoming paralyzed. That is one of the main reasons they need him in the wheel chair, because it is reducing the damage.

In other news, Elijah turned 2 on the 12th of June! He is becoming quit ornery in his old age! He loves to sing, and walks around the house all day singing. His favorite saying is- "Sit you dog! I'm not Alpha, he is! Ohhhhhh! Beep beep!" Apparently that is on the movie "Up!", and he picked it up there. He also sings, "Baby are you down" and "This is America!"

Hailey is with her dad until the move, which I really hope is soon! It will be nearly 3 months possibly! The boys are doing well also. They are all so excited to be back in Reno, and frankly, so am I!

Been a long time

It sure has been a long time! I have been so busy between John's medical discharge, the kids, and iCare. I thought it would be a good time to update this old blog.

It looks like we should be out of the Army come early August. John is now in a wheel chair, and the Doctors say there is nothing else they can do. So it's time to get back on the moving train for State number 8 since 02. I counted houses the other day, and Moses has lived in 16, 7 States in 12 years; Andrew 14, and 7 States in 9 years; Hailey 11 houses, 6 States in 6 years; An Elijah will live in his 3rd State in his 2 years of life! At least now maybe life will be more stable. I will really miss the Army Wife life. I will especially miss my fellow Army wives, as we have such a special bond. If you are a military spouse, I am sure you know the bond I am talking about.

In other news, iCare has raised over $10,000!!!! That does not include the fundraising for Plaid, as well as the Army Christmas family. That is just amazing to me! I would have NEVER guessed it would be so successful! In fact, last month iCare collected nearly $1,000 in less than 24 hours!

I am also happy to announce that it is Julie's 1 year "cancerversary"! One year ago today, she got the dreaded call about her stage IIIc, triple negative breast cancer. She courageous began the battle of chemo, radiation, double mastectomy, lyphodemia therapy, and reconstruction. She lost her hair, but kept her sense of humor. She is one of the biggest heros in my life, and I am proud to call her my best friend! Or shall I say "breast buddy"? :oP

I will try to keep you better updated, it is just hard trying to juggle everything else daily. At least it will be something interesting to write about when I turn 80!

Until then, keep classy San Diego! ;o)

Life's been busy

Wow, it's been a long time. I don't even remember where I left off! John is still not able to work. In October they decided to med-board him, thinking he would be retired by February/March. Like usual, it is a hurry up and wait situation. They sent him to El Paso to see a military spinal surgeon, who revealed that his current problems were not spasms, but actually his spinal column being pinched because of the previous surgery. He now also has 2 more herniated discs. We are waiting on word to go back and confirm if there will be another surgery.

In other news- I turn 30 in just about 2 weeks! I can actually say that I am excited! Michelle from North Carolina will be flying down, as well as Julie and Bob driving up! I will be having an 80's themed party, costumes and all. This just may be the best birthday ever! Actually, I think it will be!

The kids are good. Elijah is almost 21 months old. He is learning a new phrase everyday. One of my favorites is when he asks, "You okay? You alright?", another is "Yeeee HAW!" He still gets up twice a night to eat, which is getting old.

Nothing really interesting to report. I am sure there have some crazy things, but it's too early on a Sunday morning to remember!

Life has been busy

I know I haven't blogged much in a while. My life has been hectic between my fundraisers, the kids, and my best friends diagnosis with cancer. Julie was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer about a month ago. She by chance, did a self exam because a close friend of hers had recently been diagnosed. Basically she can give credit to her friend for catching her own cancer.

I flew out a few weeks ago to be with her. We had a blast! One of the greatest portions of the trip was visiting Venice Beach and watching the crazies! LOL Here is her blog address. Feel free to pass it around! http://julieolsensjourney.blogspot.com/

I also found out other great news re: Andrew! Apparently AZ does now consider developmentally delayed a diagnosis until the age of 8 in AZ! That is great especially since we have yet to get an actual diagnoses on the supposed syndrome, they suspect. Keep your fingers crossed! However he is once again a year behind so hope to catch him up with a lot of work!

Please Help!

I just got off of the phone w/ Aimee's mom and the hospital. Their car broke down in the middle of no where and had no service to call, just text. A bystander stopped and said it is the alternator. Again, if you can help she REALLY needs this. Now they have to buy a new alternator in a town no where close to home or SF.

If anything, pray for some luck for her! Every little bit helps. Even if it is that cup of coffee you have to give up for the day. :)

Aimee needs our help!

I was just informed that Brayton is being airlifted back to San Fransisco because his chest x-rays are worse, O2 level is down to 85% and his oxygen has been uped to 4-5 liters. He is being admitted to the pediatric ICU. Aimee and Rick do not have the funds for this trip which is obviously needed.

The link to the paypal is on the left side of my page. Every little bit helps. I have this posted here in case I am RAV'd again. Thanks for taking your time to look!

I am your present

Yesterday while I was cooking lunch Hailey walked up to me and said, "Mom, I have your present." "Oh yeah?", I said. She then replies, "Your present is ME!", and walked up and gave me a hug. It made me smile!

I haven't blogged much once again because this is the house of Virus. Hailey had it first and slept all day. Then it was passed on to Andrew and Elijah. They were much worse then Hailey so I took them into the Doctor. Turns out they both had croup and starts of ear infections! They sent us home w/ 16 prescriptions!!! Not kidding, 16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is CRAZY!!!!

Well, I am off to make my rounds as a home nurse.

Bad me.... Bad, bad, me....

I know... its been what? A trazillion days since I have updated this thing? My camera has been dead and I keep forgetting to charge it. Nothing terrible interesting has happened to me lately either. Well, besides the condom I had to pick up off of the ground at the bus stop the other day. All I could envision is a group of kids... probably mine.... picking it up, and treating it like a balloon.

I have been trying to resusitate my grass. Which I think may be a lost cause. I spoke with housing yesterday and "he" said to water it everynight although it is against the rules. Out of all of these houses in the neighborhood I have not seen one green lawn.

Oh! It is 90 degrees here today! :)

Family 5 Band

John bought the kids Rock Band for the PS3 the other day. We had it once before but traded it for a Nintendo DS for Moses after his broke. The kids have been playing with it and we have learned a few new things.

1. Hailey has incredible rhythm on the drums. In fact, she doesn't do well on the easy level because of this. She over does it.
2. Moses does pretty well too.
3. Andrew is his usual showman self!
4. I completely suck at it as I do with anything that requires the slightest rhythm/coordination.
   

On another note- Andrew has been getting his occupational therapy, although the wonderful state of Arizona doesn't accept his IEP from other States. I guess they do not consider developmentally delayed a diagnosis, although it is actually a BUNCH of symptoms. Maybe someday that will change! :o)

Strange ending to the day

We took the kids to family night tonight at Moses' school. We mainly went because Moses wanted us to meet his girlfriend and she was going to be singing in the choir. I felt a bit stalkerish watching a bunch of kids sing in the choir that weren't mine!

White Trash

John took me to lunch today at a really fancy sushi bar. In fact, it was one of the fanciest places I have seen in town. While we were eating a couple, approximately in their 40's/50's came in. A Japanese employee saw them come in and started walking over to them to seat them from across the room. Then the man loudly says, "CHOP, CHOP, CHOP!!!" to the lady in a condescending tone! Both John and I were in shock! Our jaws hit the floor and I had to control myself from laughing. For a few minutes I thought it may had been a case of a "foot in mouth moment but the longer they sat there I realized it wasn't!

Next he received a phone call from someone that obviously must of asked how he was. Again he loudly says, "No sex, no drugs, no money and no alcohol so I'm not okay!" Again, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor! Then he became impatient with the server and he yells across the room and says, "Can you serve me now!!??"

To top the day off he called a mobile home company and puts them on speaker phone. It was so loud I probably can tell you the address of the place even with him sitting across the room. It turns out he was looking for a hose to a septic tank. Oh, his name is Hank.... I learned that too!! lol

The food was great! I had california rolls and spicy tuna rolls. I also had a giant clam roll which I enjoyed the most (besides the price). John had eel and salmon which he also liked. We will be visiting again there soon and lets hope the dinner show doesn't show up!

Sleepy Boy

Elijah has a tendency to fall asleep in his jumperoo and this time we finally caught it on camera. He jumps, nods off, jumps some more, nods off..... it is a vicious circle! LOL

Oh the FUN!!!

Today is my favorite day of the year! April Fools day! I look forward to this day months in advance. I begin planning weeks before hand. On this years agenda-

• John- I thought it was perfect to serve him with a fake eviction letter. The timing was perfect being that our military housing company was privatizing today meaning we had to sign a new lease on Friday. They had all new rules and regulations to abide by. Here is a copy of his "notice"- Dear Sgt. John (removed for privacy) Jr,
  
  Pursuant to the terms of your residential lease with (removed for privacy) - Fort Huachuca, you are currently in default of section 1-E of your lease. Within 30 days of receipt of this notice, you must execute one of the following three remedies:
  1. Pay $459.63 to cover the BAH associated with the number of unauthorized residents, retroactive to the move-in date, and begin paying a new monthly BAH of $1560.63, effective April 1, 2009;
  2. Evict the unauthorized residents from the property, and pay $3677.04 to cover the BAH associated with the unauthorized residents;
  3. Pay the remaining balance due on your lease and vacate the premises by 12:00 AM April 1, 2009.
  You must notify this office within 15 days of receipt of this notice with your intended remedy. Your prompt attention to this notice is required to avoid legal proceedings, including but not limited to official eviction and judgment and military reprimand for violating the lease terms, and accrued interest and legal fees.
  
  To discuss this notice, you may contact me at (951)775-xxxx , between 0730-1700 Monday-Friday.
  
  Crystal Cove
  
  

• Holly- She received the same letter and was equally surprised! It was great fun to watch her scramble!
• Beth- I had Derek text her and say he was ticked with me, Then I texted him a message saying that my lawyer has filed a motion to increase the child support by $300 a month due to her inaccurate testimony. She caught me off the bat though... Darn!
• Johns mom- I had John call her in (fake) tears saying he was in jail and needed $4,000 for bail because I refused to get him out. For a moment she was in tears too!

The nights not over people!!!

Sir Moses

Moses being Knighted. Of course he cracked a "Moses" joke which I didn't find funny!