The Good News and the Not-So-Good News

Well, lets see - I like to get the not-so-good first so that is how I will type this entry to cover the events of a Monday at the Rogge house for three of us and Dave's first day of appointments at the Mayo Clinic.

After Friday night trip (pictured above) to the ER for Mackenzie's ears, she was getting no better so we had no choice but to call Dr. Waz to report . . . Mackenzie and I have both been struggling with the "Chelan Crud" AKA a cold and managed to both get ear infections so we went to the clinic this morning to get the antibiotics to rid ourselves of those prior to our flights back east later this week. She is very tired and resistive to the ear drops, so much so that her brother gets all her comfort things ready for her and stands by and counts to 100 for her after I put the drops in. She thinks that at the end of the count to 100 it will feel better so usually Dave counts after the drops but while Daddy is away Chase is being the man of the house and helping me in lots of ways especially counting after ear drops. I just tucked him in to bed and as he said his prayers he included this line "please help my sister to get better so she doesn't have to have ear drops anymore."

Dave had a good day at the Mayo Clinic today. They drew blood, took x-rays and he saw the orthopedic surgeon. The doctor drew some fluid off of the knee although it was difficult for him to get any fluid which is a good sign. Upon reviewing Dave's x-rays right after the knee replacement 3 years ago and the ones taken today, it appears that the prosthesis has actually gotten moved out of place a bit. The doctor is hopeful that it is indeed not infected but rather just malfunctioning due to being out of place. They are doing a culture of the fluid and repeating his bone scan just to be sure there aren't indicators of infection. If those all are normal, then he will go in for surgery on Monday and based on what the doctor finds, he will either take the prosthesis out and fill the joint with antibiotic beads and cast his leg straight for 2 months and then re-do the knee OR if there is no sign of infection and he feels it is ok to re-do the knee right then, he will take out the old one and put in the new one which would mean no second trip back there for surgery!!! As you can imagine we are praying for the later as this is the first "good" news about his knee in over 5 years since the original one was done in March 2003.

So there it is, Kenzie and I are sick, Dave got good news and Chase is holding down the fort for Daddy while he is away. They are counting days till we leave on Friday to go to Seattle and then on Saturday back to Rochester! Chase's parting words to Daddy on the phone tonight were "You are the bestest Daddy in the whole wide world, I love you!"

Mayo Clinic

Well, Dave arrived safely yesterday evening in Rochester, Minnesota. We are all missing him a lot but have lots to do before we leave to meet him there. Due to a lot of flight booking challenges, the kids and I will fly to Seattle on Friday evening at 5 pm and will spend the night there and then leave at 8:25 am on Saturday to fly to Rochester and will arrive there at 5:15 pm CST. That will also give us a day before his surgery to get our feet on the ground and try to get the time change into our sleep patterns.

Today Dave is out roaming around near the hotel and is awestruck by the size of the Mayo Clinic Complex. He is trying to get his bearings as to where he has to be tomorrow and the rest of the week for his medical appts.

The kids are counting night nights until we go see Daddy. Mackenzie has an ear infection and pink eye in both eyes so she is not sleeping well, which means neither am I. We are styaing home from church today as I can't take her with pink eye where she might share with others.

Hope the weather wherever you are is as beautiful as it is here!

Proud Aunt Kenzie

Dave & Kenzie made an afternoon visit to see Raiden AKA "Tater Man" on Wednesday while I was getting my hair done. Kenzie just loves to hold and coo over Raiden. Chase says hi and that is about it - typical boy but Kenzie thinks he belongs to her. Raiden got hungry while they were there and Heather was quick with the camera to get this precious picture of her feeding him. Obvious to she loves him!

Off to Rochester, Minnesota

Well, as most of you already know, my husband has been struggling with a bad knee replacement for 3+ years (on the current replacement). After exhausting all options for a solution here in the Pacific Northwest, we have finally gotten a referral to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. It does appear from the Dr.'s initial review of Dave's medical records, that Dave will have to have a new knee replacment (the third in 5 years).

Dave will be flying back on Saturday the 12th to begin medical workups for the entire next week. The kids and I will be flying back to join him on the 20th. If all checks out right, he will have surgery on the 21st to remove the current knee replacement and be placed in a straight leg cast for 2 months. Then we will go back on the 19th of June for a new replacement. If all goes well with the surgery to remove this replacement, we will all be headed home together by the 30th of April.

Please keep us all in thoughts and prayers that this will finally be the permanent solution to the pain and malfunctioning of this right knee.

Did some one say "Spring" Break

Well, we have a virtual winter wonderland on our hands today in Chelan. Not the usual Spring Break weather but it is pretty. Now if I can just convince the kids that snow doesn't mean Santa is coming again soon. Have a pot of soup on the stove and homemade bread bowls raising in the oven as it is just a warm soup and bread kind of day.

Had Bible class at home this morning for obvious reasons as the snow was falling hard (and still is) and Dave didn't want me driving in it.

Hope you all have a good Sunday!

Well, tonight turned out to be a date night for Chaser and I as he wanted to go see the play again tonight (I think I will be a qualified understudy by tomorrow night). He came home after school today and took a nap, went to T-ball practice and came home and ate his dinner fast so we could get to the theater. It was a packed house again tonight so we got there just in time to get seats! He ordered his popcorn with butter, red licorice & Sprite when we got there and then was gracious enough to order popcorn and root beer for his "date" (aka Mommy) but the date got stuck with the check?!?!? Anyway, he had a great time and sat on my lap snuggling and sharing licorice with me for about 3/4 of it (after his popcorn was GONE). We sang Mamma Mia songs from my CD on the way home (the kids have discovered that a couple of the songs from ABBA were in their new Bee Movie so we have music we all like and it is not Disney or Wiggles) and danced in the seats. He loves to listen to cool music and play funny in the car with Mommy. We got home and he was so thankful. He RAN into his room and got his new PJs and brought them out to put them on while talking to me about the play and how much fun we had. He got ready to put the pants on and said "where is the tag?" and I told him that Mamma didn't put a tag in them but the tie was in the front so that was how he knew which way to put them on, he replied "that silly Dramma, I will have to tall her to put a tag in the back so I know how to put them on". Then he started to put the top on and discovered no tag there either so I told him the V was in the front and he then replied "well Dramma doesn't have to put the V in the front if she puts a tag in instead." What can I say - he got them on and loves them. We then got him tucked into bed and in his prayers he thanked God for Mommy and he going to the play again tonight (3 times in the prayer). Guess he and I need to find other things to do more often just the two of us. As I left his room he asked Mommy can we do that again next time not when I am on stage but just when we sit and watch. I asked if he meant next year and he said "yes Mommy cuz I get to be on stage again tomorrow night with Dramma".

Sleep tight - I know I will! :)

Love, M

PS - Before getting into bed he was so cute as he went into our room and delicately and quietly kissed sleeping Daddy on the cheek and said night night Daddy I love you! These are the moments that make me cry! - no pictures from tonight on any camera just in my heart forever!

Chase's Theatrical Debut

Tonight was the first night of the all school play for the independent school where Chase attends preschool this year. When they do an all school play it is just that ALL school. The preschoolers got to be froglets in the play and sang along in one of the musical numbers. The play was called Honk and is basically the story of the Ugly Duckling with a few variances. He has been excited about it until this week when he became a little apprehensive about it. In fact, today he got sick to his stomach at school and came home right after lunch. He took a good nap and after a pep talk phone call with Mamma - he was ready to go. He ate a good dinner and then we were off as we had to be there at 6:15 and it started at 7 pm. His part was not until a few minutes after intermission so he got to watch the play with us until then and after his part. He loves these plays and is in fact bargaining to go watch it tomorrow night even though he is not in it. He is however in it again on Friday when they do it at the Performing Arts Center in Wenatchee. He did a great job and even sang. He also went up on stage with the whole cast at the end for the bow and final song. He was quite proud of himself afterward. He told his teacher that all he had to do was pretend the Mamma was up there on stage with him and he would be fine. Too cute! He did have nearly a whole row of fans there - Jill & Logan, Rachael, Josh "Bubby", Kenzie, Daddy & I so he felt good to have supporters and gave us a big thumbs up right before going on stage. Sissy Megan, Janson and Alura are meeting us in Wenatchee to watch him Friday night so he will be able to feel supported again.

Well, my little froglet is already asleep and we have been home for all of 15 minutes. Kenzie is asleep too - glad that both got 2+ hour naps this afternoon! Hope you enjoy the little video of his part of the play!