Annual Cardiology Tests...

This year Braden's cardiologist wanted to add in another test.  A stress test.  So, we had to spread his testing into three visits.  Otherwise he would have been there all day.

Aug 2, 2013 First he had his echo appointment.

It was a tech we didn't know and it went quickly. It's hard to sit for an hour and not have her be able to tell you anything. He watched the movie and we watched the echo screen. 

8/21/13 A few weeks later we went in for a stress test. It's the first time he's ever done one. He wasn't nervous, I was for some reason. They started with some breathing tests. They were amusing to watch. 

Blood pressure

Getting a resting EKG 

He had to blow like he was blowing out candles, huff and puff and a few others.

Then they got him all fitted in his mask. The blue cuff was his blood pressure, he also had a continuous EKG. The mask sent readout straight to the computer. It was so cool to watch. 

First he started out walking at a slow speed and as the test went on it got faster and faster and the incline went higher and higher. 

He got going pretty fast! The MA had to stand at the back to make sure he didn't go flying off. 

All in all he ran for about 15 minutes. He wasn't tired but his legs were burning. Whose wouldn't be?? The doctor performing the test said he did amazing on it. He said there's a standard for CHD kids and Braden was above "normal" kid standards.

8/29/13 Finally it was time to have his actual appointment with his doctor. He was weighed and had his blood pressure done. He had been doing math homework in the waiting room and when his BP was a little high we blamed it on that. Dr Nowlen was pleased with his test results. He let us read the report from the stress test. Braden tested at 119%. Well, well above normal CHD and "regular" kids. There is still some turbulence in the areas where the repair was done and because of that he will see us again in a year. Every year we hope to go to 2 years in between appointments. Maybe next time. 

I love that we usually end up chatting for a while after the appointment is over. He's been so great with us. Can't believe we hit the 10 year post op anniversary this month! We are so blessed that Braden is doing as well as he is. 

Rusty's Second Marathon...

Shortly after his first marathon, Rusty started training for the Phoenix Marathon.  It is a lot of miles to prepare for the marathon.  He ran long runs every saturday with a group of friends.  Hundreds of miles go into the months leading up to the main event.

His cheering section, along with the photog Kelcie! 

Looking strong for the finish!!!

 I knew I wanted to be at the finish with the boys.  Thankfully Kelcie came and helped me, because it was insane.  So many people, and such cranky boys!

 I got very teary when we heard his name, and knew he was coming across the finish line.

 Can you spot him?  I love that in neon orange and at 6'4" he's pretty easy to find in a crowd. When we finally got his attention he came over to the gates and said hello.  Look at that nice shiny medal! 

The race was on Russ's birthday and he ran the half marathon.  So he was the lucky duck that go to go in the runner area and hug Rusty first.

 Our (lame) signs for the runner s

 We tried to get there in time to watch Russ cross, but I just could not get my act in gear that morning!!

 Official time was 3 hours 55 minutes.

 Yes, I dressed to match him. I try to be the best coordinated running team member, since I don't provide any of the running part of the running team.

 Brenner was finally happy once he got some cotton candy!

The only way to get them all in a picture was sitting down! So proud!

Utah Valley Marathon...

After months of training, a few half marathons, and a couple 10K's he was ready.  After running five days a week, hundreds of miles in training he was ready.  We flew up with Braden and Boston ( Berk and Brenner stayed here with my parents and Rusty's Uncle Todd) the day before the race. We got in late due to a very delayed flight. Boston fell asleep just after take off and woke up in time to play with the peanuts bag and look a little confused before it was time to land.  By the way, one of the WORST most TURBULENT flight EVER! By the time we got settled in to the hotel, walked into downtown Provo to find food and got back to the hotel is was past time for Rusty to get in bed.  The thing you don't realize, or maybe it was just me, about marathons is that if the race starts at 6am, then the runner is up by 3am to be awake, and on busses to the starting line! We stayed right downtown Provo at the Marriott and it was nice to be able to walk right down the last mile of the race to see the finishers.

Here he is after he checked in and got his gear.  He was such a good sport letting me document everything.

 After Kelcie, Russ (who both ran the half marathon) and Cindi got to the hotel we walked down the way to eat.  The runners needed to carb load! We found a cute little Italian place, complete with a short wait AND an accordion player! That guy knew everything,  and the food was good! I had the yummiest pomegranate Italian soda ever.

We went back to the hotel and Kelcie and I walked to a store to get some supplies for the runners the next day. bagels, waters, gatorade etc.  We looked pretty strong carrying coolers, and bags of heavy drinks down two city blocks- but parking was a nightmare so walking it was! When we got back we were still waiting for the roll away bed for Braden to come. I couldn't put Boston to bed in the pack n play until it came and Rusty couldn't go to bed until both of the kids went to bed.  FINALLY, after a trip down to the lobby, a call to the manager and another it finally came and we were off to dreamland about 9:30pm, nearly two hours after Rusty had hoped.

I had to take a picture of his piles of readiness.

The next morning I set my alarm so I could be there to watch Kelcie and Russ cross the finish line. Instead I woke up to Kelcie calling me to see where I was! AHHHHH! I didn't change my phone to Utah time! I was so mad! I got the kids up in time to make it there for Rusty to cross.  This is where they finished.  Right across from the Provo Tabernacle that is being converted into a new temple! So cool.

 Here is Cindi, Braden and Kelcie watching for one of the NEON GREEN tanks that Rusty's running group was wearing.

 Boss was loving the weather, and the sights and sounds!

 See the tiny neon runner? That is my very handsome husband coming up to the finish line.

 He did it! And this is also the moment when he discovered Creamies ice cream and his life forever changed too!

 And here is just about the cutest pictures I have ever taken.  LOVE MY BOYS!

Rusty and Russ at the finish

 Very proud of these three. 

Very first Marathon COMPLETE! Final finish time 4 hours 9 minutes. 

12K's of Christmas...

Rusty has developed a LOVE for running. The race season is just beginning here in AZ, so stay turned for plenty 'o running posts in the coming months.

His last one of 2011 was a local one called the 12K's of Christmas.  I like this run because it goes right by my in laws home so we can cheer him on and because they give everyone santa hats to run in.  But people don't just wear the hats, oh no. They wear tree costumes, dress as elves, ornaments, and the dogs are dressed up too (it benefits some dog organization so a lot of people run with pets). It is the best people watching race. And for the runners there are carolers along the route. Fun huh? The kid in the full blown Santa suit was in the top 10 or 15 runners. Dedication I tell ya. That thing had to be hot.

 I mean look at the grandpa in the green tulle skirt and tights! Hilarious.  There really isn't a lot of places for people to watch this race, it runs along a canal, so people thought the boys were so sweet for being out there.  They gave and got so many high-fives. The runners would go out of their way to come to the boys at the fence. Nearly all said "Thanks for coming out!" The boys thought it was so cool.

 But they were really out there watching for this tall skinny guy we call Dad. So when we saw him we were excited.  We waited for him to make the loop that came back by us before we left. We saw some other friends (Betheas) and Rusty's aunt Alison running too!

Rusty had his best time ever. And I really was quite shocked how close to the front of the pack of what I call 'real runners' he was.  Way to go Rusty!