Update #2

Brooke's Lyme test came back positive, so she has Lyme Disease. The amoxicillan antibiotic is supposed to take care of it.

Update

Brooke had a follow-up appointment today in Iowa City with an ENT pediatrician.

It went very well.

He was impressed with how the Mercy ER treated Brooke, and believes they/we caught the palsy at the very beginning. So, treating it at the beginning will cause it to go away sooner.

Whew.

Her "funky eardrum" is just fine.

I think she's already getting better. Her eye is blinking farther than it was yesterday.

Brooke has Bell's Palsy

Friday was quite a day!

After missing Brooke at camp all week, we went to pick her up at 9 am. She looked tired, but that's to be expected after a week at camp, staying up late, getting up early, and non-stop fun.

Unfortunately, I sent her on Sunday with a massive headache. Monday morning, she had thrown up and was still feeling ill. But, by Tuesday, she said she was much better. She stayed at the camp all week, and insisted she was fine.

Apparently, sometime during the week, Tuesday or Wednesday, one of her eyes became swollen and almost shut. But, later in that day, the swelling went back down, and she was ok.

So...it's Friday, and I have an appointment in Iowa City to get the VW looked at, which I had rescheduled due to our visitors earlier in the week. And, of course the 90 minutes I was quoted turned into about 140 minutes of waiting.

I made it back to Muscatine around 3:30. Brooke seemed ok, but I was wondering why her smile was crooked. She said one side of her face felt stiff and bruised. The other side was soft and squishy. By this time, it was about 4 pm. I called our pediatrician, knowing full well the answer I'd get: "it's Friday afternoon. Go to the ER."

Well, we've done the Muscatine ER enough times to know we should try a different ER. Dan said Mercy in Iowa City. Off we go.





Brooke had an MRI of her brain. She had to stay completely still. She did great. She had her blood drawn for blood tests, specifically the Lyme's Disease. And, she had a throat swab. Tests. Tests. Tests.



Conclusion: Bell's Palsy

Course of treatment: A lot of pills

Full Pool

I think I counted 6 adults and 20 kids!

Case is in the car, while Sam is watering.

At the John Deere Pavillion, Moline, IL

Case, Moriah, and Fernanda

Case sure enjoyed himself!

No, not our feet!

My dad

Case and Haley

Monopoly!

Haley, Moriah, and Fernanda played HOURS of Monopoly!

More from our visit

We had a lot of conversations.

Hartmut's wife, Maleike, and my father, Fritz


We were looking at pictures of Hartmut's houses in Brazil and in Holland.

Brooke's first year at Camp

Here are only a few of her cabinmates. There will be 11 girls in all, plus the counselor (the tall girl on the left).

Unfortunately, Brooke wasn't feeling well when I dropped her off. She has an ear infection, and has been battling a major headache all day.

The counselor called this evening to ask permission to administer ear drops and ibuprofen.

Hopefully, she'll be better in the morning and have an enjoyable week!

Visitors from Holland/Brazil

Dan is talking to Hartmut and his wife Maladje, while Fernanda is sitting with Haley and Moriah during our boat excursion on the "Pearl Button" paddleboat. We had about an hour ride in the light sprinkling rain on the Mississippi River.



Here we are taking cover from the rain at the front of the boat on the second level.

After our boat ride, we came back home to watch the disappointing loss of the Netherlands to Spain in the World Cup.

We had a barbeque supper and the girls (minus Brooke) went to the movie, "Eclipse."

Brooke began her week at camp this afternoon.

Case, the aspiring artist

...drew these all by himself!


This is Moriah


This is Haley

Photos by Haley

Sporting some new shoes

New Hair Do

Haley and Moriah decided to get a fresh look for their hair, and it looks fabulous! Behind Haley is their hairstylist, Vicki. She did a fantastic job!

Happy Independence Day!

Every July 4th, Muscatine hosts a parade. This year's theme was Mark Twain, famous American author, who lived in Muscatine for some time. This was the coolest entry in the parade, in my opinion.


We were joined by friends Katie and Emma at the parade. From L to R: Katie, Emma, Haley, Brooke, Moriah.

Earlier in the day, we went to ToyStory3, the movie. Even Case went, and we all thought it was a VERY good movie. Highly recommendable.

Later in the day, we went to fireworks.

Happy Independence Day!

Ring! Ring!

The girls have phones now. They are so excited and are quickly getting the hang of texting. We upgraded our phone plan and have unlimited texting and free calls amongst our phones, free incoming calls, etc. The girls each purchased their own phone and are paying the monthly insurance fee from their earnings.

C U L8R!

Messy

I've come to the conclusion that having a boy just means mess. Here's the evidence of the writing on the wall...and the floor...