Bili-Update--Remission!

NORMAL!

Bilirubin 1.2--normal
AST--normal
ALT--normal
GGT--normal.

All four of Part Time Politician's crucial blood tests came back normal today. We are so grateful for answers to prayers (thanks for all of yours) and for medicine and good doctors.

We see Dr. Hutson tomorrow, where we will learn where we go from here as far as tapering off the medication, etc. The plan is for this thing to stay in remission after he is off the meds. That will be the prayer now.

Bored Siblings. Using Their Heads to Make Life Exciting.

I was thinking of my last post and how the boy looks like he has a major glandular problem.

That made me think of when my brothers decided (probably on a lazy Sunday) to become M.U.S.C.L.E. men, by stuffing their clothes with pillows (or maybe stuffed animals, not sure). Another glandular phenomenon.

I love how little Beeg's head looks in comparison to his body.

This made me think of two of my sister's boys who (not on a Sunday, but on a sick from school day--another day when kids get creative) decided to become "Captain Underpants."

Not only did they dress like him, but decided that Captain Underpants' weapons should be spare underpants, flung at unsuspecting people.

The problem comes when a person who is wearing only underpants as clothing, has to figure out how to carry around the "weapons." You can see the solution below (I only have pictures of one of the boys, but it was their two heads together that came up with it):

Watch out, bad guys

Two notes:

1) The picture of my brothers was used without permission (but I did my brother's wedding slideshow, so I had the evidence on my computer. Watch out all you other people who I have done slideshows for--especially if you have siblings you have ever done crazy things with).

2)The pictures of my nephew were used with permission. In fact, as my sister was looking them up to send them to me, "Captain Underpants's" friend saw the picture and did not laugh, but said in all seriousness, "Have you ever put underpants on your head for a space helmet?"

Apparently, underpants are versatile in more ways than I previously thought. Actually, I hadn't thought that much about it, but it seems that young boys do.

The Boy on Growth Hormones?

Nah. Just another one of his sister's "creative (?)" ideas.

For some reason, Sundays seem to bring out all sorts of personality in the children.

My Valentine!
My Valentine and I have been together for 15 years! I know it is cliche, but I truly do love him more today than I did even yesterday, let alone 15 years ago. It is hard to explain, but those who have felt it will know what I mean when I say that I can now feel all sorts of

different shades of love

because I'm spending my life with this man. So many more than I even knew existed!

Bili-Count!

The results of this week's blood work are in! Drum roll please.... Bilirubin: 2.3!!!!! Whoo-hoo! We are ever closer to the big 1.0.
Even more exciting is the fact that one of his liver enzyme levels (that was through the roof) has reached "normal" status!!! (We actually have four tests we are watching, but bilirubin is the most fun to report on, partially because it is very fun to say. bilirubin, bilirubin, bilirubin)

The Reason Behind it All

Some people (but not all people) have probably wondered how I came up with "Everything's Better with Cheesecake" for the name of my blog. Aside from the obvious reason, that everything really IS better with cheesecake, there is another reason--nostalgia.

Growing up our family went on many-a-trip to Lake Powell with our cousins. As most families do, we (meaning my Uncle Steve) took video footage. And as most families do, we acted silly in front of the camera.

Here is where we diverge from most families: as most families do not do, we (among other things) created plot lines, action sequences, music videos and chaos at various Southern Utah grocery stores; then we (here again I mean Uncle Steve, with the help of Rick) edited it, and aired it on a Pocatello public television station. We did this for a lot of years.

So, pretty much, we are famous in Pocatello, Idaho.

Here are some classic clips (clarity is not fabulous, but you will get the idea):



For full-length screenings, you can contact me personally.

How Yellow Was He?



He was pretty darn sick. Because of the Power of Prayer, the Priesthood and a really good Doc (who we found because of the power of Prayer and the Priesthood), our Daddy will recover. Thank you to all of you who have prayed and continue to pray for him. We so love and appreciate you! Boy, are we grateful for Jesus Christ and the Atonement.