So glad I found you guys!

[Elisa]

Thanks everyone; appreciate the positive comments. Everything is going really really well and we're all so thrilled that Elias is feeling so much better and that he got the help he needed even if it did come from a totally unexpected source. Like I said, I was SO freakin' nervous the other night about getting up and speaking to a full room of people but like everything, anything worth doing takes work but is so worthwhile. That said, I am glad it is over and I can sit back and enjoy my next couple of days off without stressing and practicing my presentation. Apparently our little city of CR Shriners raises more money than most other cities in BC. So proud of these people and obviously so grateful too.

We'll be heading back to Portland at the end of October as we have an appointment to see Dr. K on October 27th. for Elias' six month checkup. We're both really looking forward to this b/c it will be much more relaxing this time around now that both surgeries/halo is behind us. :-)

[Elisa]

Got a call from my Shriner contact here in CR the other day and he just wanted to tell me that everyone LOVED our visit, our story and our photo album we left for them. Apparently it was tough to get the actual meeting started after we left b/c they were still talking about it, lol.

I keep running into Mr. M all around town too: grocery stores, and yes the liquor store the other day when he said he saw me walk in, came in to say "hi and since he was in there decided to buy a bottle of scotch"... right! Man, you can not have an affair in this town I tell ya, haha!

It's been one whole week that Elias has been in high school and no complaints yet except that his video production class has really modern computers whereas his animation class has Mac's from 1968; he feels that the school should do a better job of dispersing funds. Smart kid. In his video production class yesterday the students walked to a little creek and filmed it as well as filmed a bird. He seems to be really enjoying getting out of the classroom and into nature which is nice b/c he tends to be a homebody.

Gayle, I am enjoying my fur kids... all 7 chinchilla dwarfs and the 4 kitties. I must have the nicest critters on earth. Also, I will never forget that beautiful hospital on Sam Jackson Parkway and the time we spent there. It all seems so surreal and I lie awake at night sometimes thinking it was all a dream but of course it was real. I too get a bit choked when I think of all that happened in such a short time. Can't wait til we return at the end of October and will take a few more pics of the new parents' quarters and of course Dr. K.

[mabeckoff]

So glad that everything has worked out for Elias and happy that he is enjoying high school. My son started a new high school here in CA and he loves it. He is very musically talented and has played the piano for over 10 years. This high school is a preforming arts high school. He gets piano III, jazz band, music theory and and a drawing class. He also has his academic classes, such as Spanish, algebra, honors English and biology. I am so happy for him that he finally is in a high school that he feels comfortable in


Melissa

[Elisa]

Melissa, I didn't know you had a son, only read about your daughter. A performing arts high school sounds like a lot of fun, if you are musically inclined of course which no one in our house seems to be unfortunately. I wish my kids had the opportunity to learn Spanish at school but it's always french, french and more french. I guess that's b/c Canada is officially a bilingual country but still, it would be nice to learn Spanish too. I guess they could take Spanish classes outside of school but I doubt they'll do that b/c of being too busy with other things.

[mabeckoff]

Melissa, I didn't know you had a son, only read about your daughter. A performing arts high school sounds like a lot of fun, if you are musically inclined of course which no one in our house seems to be unfortunately. I wish my kids had the opportunity to learn Spanish at school but it's always french, french and more french. I guess that's b/c Canada is officially a bilingual country but still, it would be nice to learn Spanish too. I guess they could take Spanish classes outside of school but I doubt they'll do that b/c of being too busy with other things.

My son would rather have learned French but here in CA there is no choice for foreign language except for Spanish

Melissa

[Elisa]

A few pics.

Here's a few pics from last week that were taken at the Shriners dinner. It was a lot of fun and I hope we get invited back again someday down the road. Look how good Elias looks: happy, comfortable and his colour is great. He has also beefed up a bit but still could use some more weight on him b/c of his new height. His appetite is HUGE!

[laurieg6]

It sounds like Elias is doing great, Elisa! I'm so happy for you!!!

[Elisa]

Thanks Laurie. He seems to be doing really well at the moment and I hope he continues to do well. So far so good. I'm going to be a nervous wreck about everything until the first year mark I think.

[Elisa]

5 month post-op pics.

I haven’t posted any pics of Elias’ back/incision for about three months now so I figured I’d add a couple today. His scar is still bright pink but looks to be healing very nicely. I swear his scar will fade long before those stretchmarks do… they look the same today as they did about nine months ago. :/

[Elisa]

Gone in 6 days!

Next Tuesday Elias and I will be boarding a ferry to Vancouver, spending a night at a hotel there and then heading across the border for a six hour drive to Portland, Oregon for his six month checkup with Dr. Krajbich. Round trip will take four days.

Should be a relaxing journey this time and we’ve already got our movies picked out to watch on our laptops and I’ve got a couple of mystery novels that I’m packing along as well. I’ve heard that Shriners have sold two of their older buses and replaced them with brand new ones so we’ll be travelling in comfort. The old buses were awfully comfy so I expect the new ones to be equally comfy. Both of us are really looking forward to our little getaway and hope the checkup goes well.

Elias is six months post op today, October 19th. 2011.

[mabeckoff]

Next Tuesday Elias and I will be boarding a ferry to Vancouver, spending a night at a hotel there and then heading across the border for a six hour drive to Portland, Oregon for his six month checkup with Dr. Krajbich. Round trip will take four days.

Should be a relaxing journey this time and we’ve already got our movies picked out to watch on our laptops and I’ve got a couple of mystery novels that I’m packing along as well. I’ve heard that Shriners have sold two of their older buses and replaced them with brand new ones so we’ll be travelling in comfort. The old buses were awfully comfy so I expect the new ones to be equally comfy. Both of us are really looking forward to our little getaway and hope the checkup goes well.

Elias is six months post op today, October 19th. 2011.

Have a great trip and a great check up

Melissa

[JenniferG]

Enjoy your "getaway." You deserve it to be relaxing this time. Hard to believe it's been six months!

[leahdragonfly]

Hi Elisa,

So glad to hear that Elias is doing well. Amazing that it's 6 months already! Enjoy your little getaway, and let us know what Dr K has to say.

Take care,

[Elisa]

Thanks guys. I too can not believe it has been six months already... fastest six months in my life I think. The six months leading up to his first surgery was THE longest six months of my life that's for sure. There is a part of me that really misses that whole experience last spring and I am so looking forward to getting back down there to see everyone again as the staff there were nothing short of awesome. I also want to see the new parents' section that was under construction when we were there b/c it is supposed to have large flat screen TV's and a pool table! Dang, I sure could have played myself some pool when I was there for six weeks. I think I'll take Elias back to that hair salon at the hotel b/c that was the best haircut he's ever had. Hope the guy is still there. Getting so excited now!

[Elisa]

Lots to do today.

I have so much to do today before we head out on Tuesday morning to make our trip to Portland but as usual being the procrastinator that I am, I have put everything off until the last minute. I want to get the house in order before I go which includes a thorough cleaning of the kitchen, upstairs bathroom, laundry and the entire chinchilla room/cages all need tending to. I also have to buy travel insurance but everything is closed today b/c it’s Sunday so I’ll have to go after work tomorrow. I’m making myself a list here so I will be more committed to getting these chores done.

Kitchen
Bathroom
Laundry
Chinchillas
Travel Insurance