Saturday, July 16, 2016
Friday, March 18, 2016
Alexis' Freshman Year
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Charley's Freshman Year
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Sunday, November 8, 2015
God's Blessings in November
Alexis swam a 24.5 in her 50 freestyle on Saturday, November 1st during the 200 IM Relay with 3 of her teammates at Regionals in Clinton. Her swim was a personal best (she bypassed 25 seconds all together)! They set a school record by 4 seconds!, beat their closest competitor (Davenport’s West High School) by 2 places AND qualified for state at Regionals and earned a place on the podium.
The team also broke four other Central High School swim records at Regionals.
She is really pumped! State is this Saturday in Marshalltown!
On another front, Cariyana’s sleep study Monday night showed significant improvement! In May she was obstructing 10 times per hour on the average. This week just 1.5! Although this still constitutes sleep apnea we are thrilled with those results! She is not wearing oxygen at night to sleep for the first time in 10.5 years.
And, while I am counting my blessings in this month of thanks, our Metro swim teammate Colby Carlson (age 14) who has been waiting on a heart transplant for 5 months, received a heart on Halloween!
God is Great! All the time.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Decisions, Decisions--April 3rd, 2015
This is an email I sent my family and friends this morning...
Yesterday we met with a surgeon regarding Cariyana at the University of Iowa. They finally have all the players in place for the surgery we have known she needs since her respiratory arrest 4 years ago. We have been waiting. I thought the surgery would take place closer to age 13. He says there is no reason to wait especially in light of her increasing blood pressure and continued sleep apnea.
Below is a link to a video that describes what she will undergo. There is no picture of the surgery itself just photos of the head gear and the overall transformation. Lots of words to read.
Its a 9 minute video. I hope you might take the time to watch it.
Our overall goal for Cariyana would be no more breathing tube at night. No more oxygen. Perhaps no more blood pressure pills.
The time frames in the video are pretty similar to what the surgeon described yesterday. 3 days in intensive care, 2 days on the ventilator, 2 weeks in the hospital, 6-9 weeks of the head gear. 3-4 month total process.
I am starting a list of questions for our next visit with the doctor.
We will need more discussions with the doctor and other consultations before we decide to proceed. If we proceed the question is when. It seems obvious we need to do this over summer to have the least interruption of her schooling and the start of my new academic year at the college. I would have the most support of my husband. This summer Steve is laid off. His return to work date is August 3rd.
I may need additional support of each of you to get through this in Iowa City. Especially if things would not go as planned. And for sure, the other kids and Steve will need support at home.
We have not made any firm decisions and do not intend to without more information which we might have sometime in May.
Cariyana as you know is a hoot. She says two things. "Lets just get this over with!" and "I want to wait until 2016 when the new hospital is done so I can go there." (being the experienced children's hospital patient that she is)!
Even after watching the video, she is not afraid. She is realistic and calm. Unlike the other kids, who are like "no way!"
Steve and I are overwhelmed with emotions. And we know our decision to proceed with this procedure by this surgeon at this time is a critical decision...
Monday, March 16, 2015
A Week in the Life of a Cummins
Previously I wrote we are busier than ever before. Here is a taste.
See his group here at this link on youtube:
Swimming at the State Championship in Grinell, Iowa on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
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| Volunteer referees for the state meet (Steve missed the photo) |
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| Last reminder to parents and swimmers before entry. |
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| Our swimmer. |
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| Alexis, Charley, and Megan Fellner |
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| 13-14 relay team |
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| What a great pool at Grinell College! |
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| Avid listeners to the coach. |
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| Coach Ramsey Vens giving some last minute instruction. |
Steve refereed, Xavier, Joe, Cariyana, and I watched, and Charley and Alexis swam. Charley swam one event, Alexis swam nine including her relays. We stayed at a mediocre hotel for three nights on a bitterly cold weekend. I suppose that is kind of like a vacation. Away from the chores a house brings!
Show Choir Show-Off at the Adler on Monday
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| Charley's Show Choir Group --Blue Vibrations 2015 |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpL5p9qLY7U
Freshman Orchestra Concert on Tuesday
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| Freshman orchestra only--I can't seem to crop this photo! |
Winter Athletic Banquet on Wednesday
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| Boys Team 2014-2015--small but mighty! |
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| Alexis was one of three managers of the boys swim team. |
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| Charley recieved his first letter and numerals. |
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| Coach Stahl congratulating Charley on his 58.55 100 Butterfly at districts |
A Progressive Band Concert on Thursday
Charley and Alexis both sing in the Freshman Choir
Rivermont's International Food Festival on Friday
Good eats! It's tradition.
Saturday--We need rest!
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| Charley and Alexis both sing in the Freshman Choir |
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| Good eats! It's tradition. |
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