L4L Softball Tournament

Last Saturday we held the Love 4 Landon Foundation's Second Annual Softball Tournament. Our goal was to have 12 teams enter. We ended up with 14! Totally AWESOME! That softball community is a great bunch, let me tell ya!

The day started off rainy but we were determined to play on. The rain abruptly stopped at 9:30 and our guys got busy getting the fields ready. By 11:00 a.m. the first pitches were being thrown. The championship game finally wrapped up around 1:00 a.m. Sunday. It was a looooong day but so totally worth it! 

Landon loved having the freedom to run around and play. He also enjoyed helping with concessions. As people approached he would smile and ask, "How can I help you today?" Then he would hand them whatever they asked for and before they left he would tell them, "Thank You for supporting the Love 4 Landon Foundation! Come back and see us!" It was absolutely precious and heartwarming. He's come a long way, just in the last year. It was so special for me to have him by my side helping. It was also very neat to see him running and playing. It brought me to tears. Imagine that. You know what else brought me to tears? The love and generosity of our community. I'm getting weepy as I type just thinking about it. We had an amazing team of people come together to make this event a raging success! 

We are incredibly grateful for all of the continued support we are given to help raise awareness about IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease). We had many people come up and ask what IBD is and we got to share our knowledge. We also had people there who are struggling with their own issues related IBD. That, Folks, is why we continue to move forward. We want to help others and give back in a special and unique way.  

Misty (Founding Member) and her daughter.

My independent boy.

Shannon (Founding Member), Willie and ME!

My two favorite guys and a giant chair!

Sweet, handsome boy. (Thank you to Lindsey for this photo!)

Precious moments.

Scott and Fred. As the night wore on, boredom set in. 

Misty and I trying to stay warm while keeping score during the championship game. It was so cold!

Landon watching Daddy umpire.

The Love 4 Landon Foundation 2nd Annual Softball Tournament CHAMPIONS!!!

Landon's Treatment

Let me start by saying, this wasn't an easy post for me to write. I have hesitated all weekend because this is very personal. However, with vulnerability also comes an immense amount of support, which so many of you have selflessly given us. We have people ask about Landon on a daily basis. I cannot even formulate words to describe how it makes me feel as a Mama to have so many people who genuinely care about our little darling. Here is a small glimpse in to one of the ways we are helping Landon on his journey to prolonged optimal health. 

Every 8 weeks, we make the 3 hour drive to Children's Mercy Hospital for Landon's continuing medical care. We have been doing this for almost 2 years now. In the beginning we went every 2 weeks, so to be at 8 weeks in between is great! Landon does really well during the trips there and back, which is a true blessing. We have movies for him to watch, books to read, songs to sing, crayons and coloring books. We also have snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. 

Upon arrival, we head to the Outpatient Infusion Center. By this time, he is usually asking one question multiple times, which is, "Will it just be one poke?" Meaning, will they get his IV inserted on the first try. We reassure him and say our prayers that it will indeed, just be one poke. These days, it typically is. The past hasn't been so lucky but we're in the now kind of people so we choose to remain optimistic. 

We head in to the procedure room where Landon gets his weight, blood pressure and temperature checked. He always wants to sit on either Mommy or Daddy's lap, he gets to choose. Then, it's time to insert his IV. Every time I silently say a prayer that it will be smooth and easy. Well, as easy as sticking a 3 year old can be anyway. Honestly, Landon does amazingly well. I guess he's somewhat getting used to it. After the line is placed, we move in to the room we will spend the next 3ish hours in. They give him 2 different oral meds to help if he were to have a reaction during his infusion. Again, I silently pray, this time for no negative reactions. Then he gets hooked up to his IV pump, chooses a movie, orders food and waits as the medication flows through his tubing in to his veins. Sometimes he falls asleep and others he stays awake the whole time. He sits with me, as we chat and pass the time. 

Sometimes we also have a visit with his GI doctor, but this time we were able to forgo that part. He is doing so well that we only have to see her every 4-6 months.

Loaded up and ready to go. Yes, he is eating a cookie at 8:30 in the morning. 

Watching a movie as we cruise along.

Nearly everything he needs! Minus the snacks. This is a rare photo when he isn't eating.

Checking in for Landon's infusion.

Let's see how much he weighs.

Sitting with Mama while getting his blood pressure checked.

Our nurse (who is amazing!) is warming his hand to help when it's time to insert the IV.

The IV is going in. As you can see, this kid is brave. 

Success! One poke and it's in! Not a single tear.

Here, his nurse is drawing blood for the labs he will have done. 

Putting Landon's blood in to the appropriate tubes.

Landon is inspecting the IV line. He approves.

They always take 2 tubes of blood to send off the the lab. They check many things but we're always most concerned with his hemoglobin, SED rate and protein levels.

After the IV is placed, we move in to our room, where Landon gets to choose a movie to watch. This time he chose Cars.

Tiny, sweet hand.

The bag on the left is his medicine, the one on the right is saline to flush his line at the end.

Landon's choice for lunch was brown rice, cauliflower and blueberries. YUM!

Chillin' on Mama's lap.

In the van leaving the hospital and he was crashed within minutes.

The trip we made Friday was one of celebration. Landon has officially been off Prednisolone (steroids) for a whole year! YAHOO! His labs are all in the normal ranges, he's retaining all of his nutrients and gaining weight. He's doing remarkably well and continues to amaze his doctors with all of his positive progress. We have also been able to add in a lot of new foods lately, which makes him so happy. At one point, not so long ago, he was limited to about 5 different foods. Can you imagine only being able to eat 5 foods? Tough stuff. 

Landon has been quite the inspiration through all of this. He is resilient. He is tough. He is brave. He is strong. He is special. He is changing this world and the way the medical profession looks at the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.   

Last night we went out to dinner. We were able to order all of his food straight off the menu. He chose rice, broccoli and sweet potato. Several months ago we were only able to do that at one restaurant. Now, we can go many places where he is able to eat off the menu. As he was eating last night, he discovered onions in his rice. He hasn't been able to have onions for the last year due to the inflammatory response they would cause in his body. It was so nice to be able to let him eat those onions and not have to pick them out. Actually, it was kind of funny because HE was picking them all out and devouring them! He also got to have peanuts yesterday, which is another thing we've avoided for quite some time. He LOVED taking them out of the shell and would have eaten the entire bucket if we would have let him! As I watched him, smiling while eating all of those nutritious foods, I felt tears begin to sting my eyes. Tears of joy and gratitude. Tears of celebration. 

We ARE celebrating. Landon is kicking IBD's ass! I am in a place of gratitude for all we've been given. The road has been rocky but through it all, it's been Landon who has kept me believing. Every small step forward (and even sometimes those steps we took back) was just enough to keep pushing. 

Just. Keep. Moving. The rewards are endless. The very best reward is my healthy Boy Wonder.

Weekend Wrap Up!

Woweeee did we have a busy weekend in these parts! 

It started with a movie and night out to celebrate my birthday. The theme was black and red, so of course I threw on some fabulous shoes! We saw We're the Millers and OMG, it is hysterical! 

My darling husband bought me this gorgeous, cool and unique necklace. I'm in love. Both with him AND the necklace.

I was so fortunate and grateful to celebrate my birthday with some of my very favorite people in the entire world! Here are some of them. 

On my actual birthday (Saturday) I was able to relax a whole bunch. My sweet friend Crystal brought me a latte, champagne and cake pops. This salted caramel pop was delectable. 

Saturday evening my Dad arrived from Cinci and we went to dinner at a local eatery. The food was wonderful but the company was even better! Landon got to have sweet potato (first time in over a year!) and that kid threw down! I love getting to try these new, healthful foods with him!

Sunday morning we woke up super early to head out for the L4L Foundation Golf 4 Guts Tournament! Words cannot describe how gorgeous the day was. In the early morning hours, there was a bit of a chill in the air. The sky was beautiful and the grass was wet with dew. The sunshine, the people, the green trees, the fresh air...it was all unbelievably breathtaking. 

Everyone had a great time!

We even had a massage therapist on site offering complimentary chair massage! Just what you need after a round of golf. 

At the end of Golf 4 Guts, I was addressing our participants and thanking them all for taking the time out of their lives to contribute. I felt my throat closing in and I was on the verge of really getting choked up. Luckily, I pulled it together! Every time we have a L4L event, I get a wee bit emotional. I often wonder if that will ever change. I honestly don't think it will. I don't want it to change. I want to always be heart connected to this cause. The reason I work so hard to raise awareness about IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) is because I understand it on a very personal level. I didn't experience the symptoms myself but I have watched my helpless little boy fight to stay whole. I've watched him undergo countless procedures, pokes, prods, blood transfusions, doctor appointments; all with a remarkable amount of bravery. HE is the reason I will always continue to help others. It is my destiny. I get it now. We have been in some pretty dark places along the way. It's been difficult at times, to say the least. But, you know what? We came out on the other side and we are blessed every day with light and brightness. There is always hope. The human body has an amazing capacity to heal. Landon is living, thriving, healthy proof! When in doubt, give thanks for the life you have and continue to believe better days are ahead. Thank your Creator. Ask for help. Accept help. Stay open to your options. Ask questions. Keep trying. The rewards are infinite. 

Whew, I'm tired! Okay, not really, but I was yesterday, which is why this post didn't happen on a Monday! 

Love 4 Landon Television Interview

Landon and I were given the opportunity for an interview with a local television station, KAKE, to talk about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), the Love 4 Landon Foundation, and our upcoming Golf 4 Guts Tournament. Wow!

First of all, I want to let y'all know I was super nervous! Going on television for a LIVE interview isn't something I ever imagined myself doing. This was my third one and I was just as nervous as the first time. The morning of the interview, I reminded myself that this isn't about me at all. It didn't matter how I looked or if my voice was shaky. What mattered was sharing our story and helping others. I said a prayer (or ten) asking for guidance and to help me get the word out about the incredibly important work we're doing with the L4L Foundation.

Every single person I've ever encountered at KAKE has been nothing short of fabulous. Seriously. They are kind, listen intently, always make me feel welcome and have a way of ensuring me that what I'm doing is not only valuable but also essential.

I cannot say enough how honored I am to be doing the work I'm doing. It's truly a blessing and every day I have the possibility to change the life of another person. Very freaking cool.

Landon was pretty enamored by the whole process. When Ben Pringle went up to do the weather, he turned a monitor around so Landon was able to see him in front of the green screen AND on television at the same time! Oh em gee. Landon thought that was super cool! See, I told you that KAKE news crew is awesome!

If you're interested you can take a look at our interview HERE. Landon was very silly the whole time, which I didn't know until I watched the clip for myself!

If you feel led to donate to our cause and help other families, you can do so on the Love 4 Landon website. We greatly appreciate any and all donations. I assure you, any funds received are used wisely, to help others in need.