Chocolate Lefse
7 layers of Minnesotan Chocolate Heaven.
Layer 1- Lefse
Layer 2- Mint chocolate fudge (1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 c chocolate chips, 1/2 tsp mint extract, nuked and stirred)
Layer 3- Lefse
Layer 4- Cinnamon Cream Cheese Chocolate (4 oz cream cheese, 1/2 c chocolate chips, 1 tsp cinnamon, nuked and stirred)
Layer 5- Lefse
Layer 6- Sliced bananas and chopped walnuts
Layer 7-Whipped Chocolate Cream (3/4c whipping cream and 1/4 c chocolate chips melted together, cool in fridge, then whip like normal whipping cream)
Top with a layer of shredded coconut.
Other Menu ideas for the Olaf Garden Include:
Linguni with Swedish meatballs
Lutefish Scampi
Braised Bambi
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Remarkable kids
My kids are a rather remarkable group. People just keep remarking on them. Galen has been the case study of several autism studies and I am sure Ian is making his way into medical journals as we speak. Ewan gets remarks about his compassionate character and Clay- well he is just so cute...
But most of the remarks happen when we are all out together and they go something like this.
"Beautiful children, 4 of them?"
"Yep," we say."
"All boys?" they ask as they examine the faces closely.
"Yep." we say.
"You must have your hands full."
"Yep." we laugh.
Of course, the alternative ending happens quite often too.
"Going to try for some girls?"
"Thinking about it," Mike and I laugh, exchanges meaningful glances.
These conversations probably happen about 10 times per day when we are out as a family. I never would have thought that we would draw so much attention doing everyday thing.
But most of the remarks happen when we are all out together and they go something like this.
"Beautiful children, 4 of them?"
"Yep," we say."
"All boys?" they ask as they examine the faces closely.
"Yep." we say.
"You must have your hands full."
"Yep." we laugh.
Of course, the alternative ending happens quite often too.
"Going to try for some girls?"
"Thinking about it," Mike and I laugh, exchanges meaningful glances.
These conversations probably happen about 10 times per day when we are out as a family. I never would have thought that we would draw so much attention doing everyday thing.
Raise your hands if you want the notes from today.
Sorry, You didn't raise your hand, You thought I would just give it to you anyways. Sorry too late.
Oh, you're raising your hand now? And you think I will be forgiving and compassionate? Or maybe just practical.....
Well, it was a long day with only 1 Dr appointment. We met with Dr Moir of general surgery. He said he only had 2 things he wanted us to take home from the discussion- but I took notes and made lots of other connections he didn't guess I understood.
Anyways, Dr. Moir's job is to get to the area where Dr Raffle does the work. So they basically plan to give Ian a C section (says he will do this with out cutting any muscles), and push everything out of the way to Dr Raffle can get to the lower spinal cord and fluid sack. There is also a potential secondary incision going in the crease to the back side of the rectum.
Ian's official diagnosis is "neurogenic bowel", and what most of the long term care issues will be with the functioning of the bowels. For most of these issues we will be dealing with Dr Freese of GI. Removing the fluid sack, detethering the spinal cord, tightening the rectal muscles will all help with this process of gaining continence with his bowels. (the GIs will work with us on laxatives, bowel training and whatever else is needed)
Meanwhile, before they open Ian's belly they want to have a list of everything that should be done at the time, so we are off to see more Drs. This time we are seeing Dr Hughsman of Urology. On April 3rd he will have urinary x-ray, renal ultrasound and a urodynamic study. Then on the 4th, we will be meeting with Dr Hughsman and then hopefully Dr Raffle and get a very clear understanding of how everything is functioning and what things should be done, and probably schedule surgery at that time.
Dr Moir says that most kids are mostly healed from this kind of surgery in 1 week, and that the vast majority of that week will be in the hospital.
Meanwhile, I have made sure to get contacts on every Doctor I am working with and am writing down lots of questions to ask. And I have secretaries in 3 divisions at the Mayo that have promised to help us anyway they can. I think Ian must charm them, of course the other option is that they feel sorry for us when we march all 4 beautiful boys around their waiting rooms and offices until things get done:)
While talking on the phone with another Doctor, Moir explained that they had a 4 year old boy with an "impressive case of internal myelomeningocele."
What is really increadable to me though, is how well he has and is doing with what his spinal cord looks like.
Oh, you're raising your hand now? And you think I will be forgiving and compassionate? Or maybe just practical.....
Well, it was a long day with only 1 Dr appointment. We met with Dr Moir of general surgery. He said he only had 2 things he wanted us to take home from the discussion- but I took notes and made lots of other connections he didn't guess I understood.
Anyways, Dr. Moir's job is to get to the area where Dr Raffle does the work. So they basically plan to give Ian a C section (says he will do this with out cutting any muscles), and push everything out of the way to Dr Raffle can get to the lower spinal cord and fluid sack. There is also a potential secondary incision going in the crease to the back side of the rectum.
Ian's official diagnosis is "neurogenic bowel", and what most of the long term care issues will be with the functioning of the bowels. For most of these issues we will be dealing with Dr Freese of GI. Removing the fluid sack, detethering the spinal cord, tightening the rectal muscles will all help with this process of gaining continence with his bowels. (the GIs will work with us on laxatives, bowel training and whatever else is needed)
Meanwhile, before they open Ian's belly they want to have a list of everything that should be done at the time, so we are off to see more Drs. This time we are seeing Dr Hughsman of Urology. On April 3rd he will have urinary x-ray, renal ultrasound and a urodynamic study. Then on the 4th, we will be meeting with Dr Hughsman and then hopefully Dr Raffle and get a very clear understanding of how everything is functioning and what things should be done, and probably schedule surgery at that time.
Dr Moir says that most kids are mostly healed from this kind of surgery in 1 week, and that the vast majority of that week will be in the hospital.
Meanwhile, I have made sure to get contacts on every Doctor I am working with and am writing down lots of questions to ask. And I have secretaries in 3 divisions at the Mayo that have promised to help us anyway they can. I think Ian must charm them, of course the other option is that they feel sorry for us when we march all 4 beautiful boys around their waiting rooms and offices until things get done:)
While talking on the phone with another Doctor, Moir explained that they had a 4 year old boy with an "impressive case of internal myelomeningocele."
What is really increadable to me though, is how well he has and is doing with what his spinal cord looks like.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
more I forgot until now
Ian also has fluid in the middle of his spinal cord (almost like a dual/split cord in some areas) and some other cord abnormalities. I am not sure what that means for function or treatment. I will be asking questions.
at the mayo
Ian's case is slowly being striped down to the bone (so to say). It turns out his tethered spinal cord is not a big deal- although they will fix that when they handle the rest of the things. The fluid sack is a bigger thing. And due to gravity they tend to grow and press even more on the rectum over time. He also has some loose muscles in his rectum and butt that will be taken in, and it looks like there is some kidney issues.
He will be seeing a urologist and have a general surgery consult tomorrow. We are staying at the Radisson. Our first appointment tomorrow is at 2pm. So I don't think we will have too much scheduled for this weekend.
So, we like the mayo keep learning more about him before there is any action (besides the learning type).
He will be seeing a urologist and have a general surgery consult tomorrow. We are staying at the Radisson. Our first appointment tomorrow is at 2pm. So I don't think we will have too much scheduled for this weekend.
So, we like the mayo keep learning more about him before there is any action (besides the learning type).
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Plan
For those of you who wish to know our plan for tomorrow is the following:
We leave home about 7:30 am drive south and east for 5-6 hours, eat lunch, sit in a waiting room, consult with a doctor and then make plans for the remainder of the weekend based on the doctor consult.
We leave home about 7:30 am drive south and east for 5-6 hours, eat lunch, sit in a waiting room, consult with a doctor and then make plans for the remainder of the weekend based on the doctor consult.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
pain
The forest is in pain. It feels betrayed and used. Somebody took a truck up the trails and cut down living trees, and then left the ruminates of the trees strewn across the trails.
The trees themselves are strong, for their roots go deep and they drink from the joy of the heavens.
Do I have to build a gate?
The trees themselves are strong, for their roots go deep and they drink from the joy of the heavens.
Do I have to build a gate?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)