family

I asked Trevor if he wanted to come with us to the doctor. I wanted to make sure he was feeling included in this family defining event. Seeing the doctor and discussing Riley's options. Trevor would be impacted by what decisions were made as much as Riley and the rest of us. I didn't want Trevor to feel excluded.

Riley takes his computer with him to his doctor visits. The games keep him busy. He is supposed to shut it or stop playing while the doctor is in the room. Trevor asked if Riley would be taking his computer.

Yesterday we were visiting friends and the boys downloaded a new game Civilization onto Riley's computer. Trevor was following the game. Last night he asked if we could wake him as we were leaving in hopes the computer would be left at home and he could have exclusive use of it and uninterrupted time to play the new game. Riley disappointed him by taking the computer with game to the hospital visit. Trevor said he would go with us as a result.

I warned the boys that their father was on a short fuse today. He was very antsy and stressed out as he geared up for the doctor's visit. It was also a down day at work. He needed to get back to the office. He had spent the evening the night before studying the Internet regarding BMT and Aplastic Anemia. He was looking at the studies and the blood numbers available on other cases to compare with our own situation. I knew he was tense.

Last night was the league football monthly meeting. A friend reminded me of it in a phone message. I gleefully leaped into my car to attend, just so I could get out of the tension in the house caused by Tom. I truly appreciate all his research. I have also done some of my own reading, and read what he showed me. I also know I can not let it tear me apart. I have to make life as normal and pleasurable as possible for the whole family. I also knew the in all likely hood the boys would do something to bug their dad and he would yell at them, just to vent a little tension. It was almost unavoidable. This house has no where to hide, or keep the noise down. So, last night I ditched and ran knowing Tom growling was inevitable this particular evening.

Sometime the boys will learn how not to be noticed by their father. Keep the noise down, not argue over a silly computer game, not sit right by their father while they argue loudly. There are easy ways not to get in trouble. Meanwhile I knew what was coming and I had a lovely time sitting in on the board meeting for football. The small arguments seemed so pleasurable to watch as I was only an observer and I knew it wasn't personal. At home I can't distance myself that way.

I got home about 9:30pm just in time for Tom to tell the boys to turn off the computer and go to bed. I got them set up quietly in their rooms. Trevor read. Riley went right to sleep. He has been sleeping a lot. Tom thinks its related to lack of activities. Lethargy feeds on itself.

In the morning Trevor chose to chase the computer to the hospital. I thought it was a thoughtful gesture until I found out his motives, by then it was too late. We were in the car driving. I took the boys to breakfast in the hospital cafe only to have Tom call and say the doctor could squeeze us in early. I was surprised the blood was back that quickly.

In the observation room, I asked Trevor to go down to the play room where there is a play station. The observation room is not really big enough for the whole family. Its more set up for parents and sick child. Trevor didn't take the hint so again he brought down the wrath of Tom. Trying to argue with me about leaving the room without the computer, which was still in Riley's possession, in front of his father was not a bright move.

Tom questioned my reasoning for bringing Trevor along. I forget sometimes to think like a teenager. I truly had thought he might sit home and dwell on how it was going at the hospital. Instead I should have realized for teenagers the world revolves around them. Trevor's only focus was getting that computer out of Riley's possession . If perchance there was an opportunity at the hospital to play the game, he was not going to miss it.

After words from his father, Trevor discovered the PlayStation in the children's game room, he was contently occupied while we spoke with the doctor. The doctor was very impressed as usual with Riley's extremely large feet. At the end of our meeting we brought in Trevor to show that younger brother was also of unusual proportions. Trevor had worn his sandals. His toes have begun to creep over the outer edge of the size 12 shoe, but he likes their comfortable fit. The doctor is a modest sized gentleman. Trevor easily out weighed him by 30 pounds. He jokingly told Trevor to knock off the "roids".

He also asked if we had Trevor's blood tested since it was football season. Tom thought that was funny, but I missed the humor of it. I had asked way back when, if football might have had anything to do with Riley's illness. A hard hit to an organ or something, anything that might have triggered what happened to him. That doctor has a mind like a steel trap. Probably why he and Tom get along so well.

The appointment is over. Tom went back to work. Riley is a little fussy, but I bet it is reaction to the emotional tension of the last 24 hours. He makes it seem as if it doesn't get to him, but he knows what is going on and is very intelligent. It makes him edgy, a little like his father. He is refusing to share the computer game with Trevor. Its a power trip. Poor Trevor doesn't know how to dodge and keep his head low. A bull in a china shop when it comes to subtlty, that is what Trevor is. Trevor keeps harping on that computer until I either override Riley or confiscate the computer because Riley is being such a jerk and not sharing.

We also have company coming this weekend. I told the boys to tackle the game room. Trevor started, but quit when Riley didn't come help. They really cant do it together anyway because they either distract each other playing games, or fight because one isn't doing as much as the other.

We just need to put space and time between us and the hospital this morning. Next week new blood draw because of the medicine screw up, then three months before our next visit in December. School and job will keep us occupied mean while.

I know I am going to love distractions. Tom came home giddy the other night after reading my blog that I might consider spending our anniversary in Corvallis at the Civil War. Get a hotel. He has extra tickets, but they are in the duck section. Last time I went to a game where he sat in the opponent's section, he almost got in a fight.

Huskies were down and Tom was up and cheering. Husky fan behind us asked Tom to sit down. Tom turned to the guy and said "If you wanted to sit down and watch the game you should have stayed home and watched it on your couch." We moved to the student section at half time, where his enthusiasm was more appreciated. OSU lost that game. Tom swears its because we ruined the Karma by moving.

I told Tom I would get a hotel, but he needs to see about trading those tickets for Beaver seats. His one season ticket is now worth $700 according to some Internet site. I truly hope he can pull off a trade. I don't mind seats that aren't so strategically located, but he loves his seat.