Long, fun, and tiring weekend visiting my side of the family in El Cerrito (next to Berkeley) in Northern California. Prior to leaving on Friday, we had to make a detour to CHOC in Orange County (the opposite) direction from NorCal, for Lauren's Occupational Therapy evaluation. The OT person had Lauren stack some blocks, bend her extremities in different directions, pick up cheerios and stick them in a small bottle. The OT's conclusion? Her left side is 50% weaker. She had said that Lauren is double jointed, which can cause her muscles to be weaker. She is recommending therapy, which will focus on strengthening her core muscles. She said the shaking in her left hand is because it's weaker and the muscles are straining. She also said Lauren needs to start using her left hand more, use it or lose it. Lauren has a tendency to ignore her left hand, almost as if it's not there.

It was already 3:30 in the afternoon by the time we were done with OT appointment and heading towards the Bay Area. Having to drive on the 405 freeway, through Los Angeles on a Friday before a three-day weekend was tough. We didn't get to Ventura until 6 pm and we didn't arrive at Grandma/pa Nihei's house until 11:30 pm.

We spent Saturday at my the house of one of my childhood friends having a bbq. It was good to see the old Sycamore Lords and ECHS gang. It's been a long time. It was a lot fun since everyone has kids that ranged from 10 years old to 10 months old. I do have to single out Abigail (in the white headband holding Lauren's hand), who is the daughter of Bob Nomura as one of my favorite new kids. She really took charge and made Lauren feel right at home. As soon as Lauren walked through the door, Abigail was there asking if Lauren wanted to play and off they went. I was checking in on the kids all night and Abigail was really looking out for Lauren. I would hear her say to the other kids, "whoever can grab one of these stuffed animals and give it to me or Lauren first, wins." Not sure what game they were playing but it was nice the way she included Lauren into the game without Lauren having to fight and wrestle the other kids for a stuffed animal, which she wouldn't have done. I wish Abigail was in Lauren's school.

Sunday we visited my Uncle Jun who had a stroke in July. His left side is not working and he is laid up in a hospital/therapy unit. It is tough to see my Uncle Jun, who has always been the tough strong uncle, at least in my eyes, laid up in a hospital bed. I think he lost 35 pounds. After talking with my aunt I was shocked at the poor quality of service they have there. Pediatric care vs. adult care is night and day. While I am sure they exist, I have never met a pediatric nurse or doctor that didn't love their job and their patients. Also, it seems like parents of the pediatric patients get a lot more directions and help from the staff.


Sunday evening we had another bbq this time at my parents' house, grandma and grandpa Nihei. The kids got to skin corn.



It was great to see the girls playing with all of their cousins and 2nd cousins, which ranged in age from 9 years old (AJ) to 2 years old (Cooper), but talk about a circus.


What's great is the kids are getting to an age where we don't have to supervise their every movement. In fact, the grown-ups were even able to play a board game.


So after two days of fun up in the Bay Area, we came back early Monday since both kids had school the next day. Marissa was starting pre-K. Marissa (or Lauren) never went to day care, so this was the first time she would be away from a family member. While neither Marissa or Hilary cried when we left, Hilary almost cried thinking how nice it is for Marissa to finally get to do something for herself, something she is supposed to do.


We sometimes forget the sacrifice Marissa has made, spending so much time in the hospital hanging out with Lauren and how much time she spends away from her immediate family because she is staying at granny and granda Vernor's house. While she'd cry for mommy and daddy, overall she has been a trooper, too. And like Lauren, she is missing out a part of her childhood as well.

Today Lauren had a dentist appointment. Whenever she sees a dentist, she needs to take antibiotics an hour before to help guard against infections. While she didn't have any cavities, the dentist is concerned with her two permanent front bottom teeth, which are loose. She asked if Lauren had any trauma. What an understatement that is!! It is possible that Lauren's chemo is the cause of this (me and Hilary think so). While this was not totally unexpected to me and Hilary, even though nobody ever mentioned that this could be an issue, we both knew a co-worker's who's daughter is dealing with cancer and chemo, who is having all kinds of issues with her teeth, we're both sad that Lauren has another issue to deal with. She has an appointment with a peridontist on Wed. Her dentist was talking about possibly having to bond her teeth, not sure what that entails.