Just a brief yet important note: the Chimerism test results came in yesterday and, once again, I am please to report 100% donor!
Today we got to partake in an awesome potluck (thank you, Alina and Dima) and the boys got a chance to be re-acquainted with the pool. Both were game to be in the water and jump in, tried to swim and had a grand time. Swimming classes it is.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Sunday, May 3, 2015
OMSI last weekend
Last weekend we went to OMSI with the boys. A pretty awesome temporary exhibit is "Labyrinths." Here is Benjamin as Spider Man
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| Hanging out 4/15/2015 |
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Day +261
The most recent checkup went very well. Hemoglobin, platelet, and white blood cell counts are looking great. Of course, now we wait for the Chimerism results.
Zev has great energy and good appetite, even through for about two days during the week he had the runs pretty badly. Had us worried, but the docs said it did not look like GVH. We even collected a sample of the analysis which I ruined by not placing it in a fridge (double bagged, for those planning to eat out of our fridge ever again). By the time Alla got ready for sample number two (no pun intended) the diarrhea was over as suddenly as it arrived. Or to be more precise, it jumped over to Benjamin who has it today. Alla and I can't wait. And speaking of evacuating the bowels - last week the both of the boys managed to go potty in the toilet. First Alla got Zev to try and heaped praise on him when he succeeded (at that point she just had to get him to sit down at the right moment, not sure how much control Zev had of anything after). Benjamin listed for a while and, of course, had to get in on the racket. Each of the boys were rewarded with a toy. And to conclude the theme... last weekend following the Lego class all of us went to a coffee shop, as is our custom, for coffee, hot coco, and bagels. At some point when we were outside the store Zevi decided he would like to pee. So, he proceeded to pull down his pants and pull-up and made a puddle right in front of the cafe door. This was, as they say, a teachable moment on the merits of restrooms. To the credit of patrons and owners no one bat and eye, as if puddles of pee materialize on the sidewalk outside on daily basis. More importantly, we were still welcome at the cafe next weekend.
Zev has great energy and good appetite, even through for about two days during the week he had the runs pretty badly. Had us worried, but the docs said it did not look like GVH. We even collected a sample of the analysis which I ruined by not placing it in a fridge (double bagged, for those planning to eat out of our fridge ever again). By the time Alla got ready for sample number two (no pun intended) the diarrhea was over as suddenly as it arrived. Or to be more precise, it jumped over to Benjamin who has it today. Alla and I can't wait. And speaking of evacuating the bowels - last week the both of the boys managed to go potty in the toilet. First Alla got Zev to try and heaped praise on him when he succeeded (at that point she just had to get him to sit down at the right moment, not sure how much control Zev had of anything after). Benjamin listed for a while and, of course, had to get in on the racket. Each of the boys were rewarded with a toy. And to conclude the theme... last weekend following the Lego class all of us went to a coffee shop, as is our custom, for coffee, hot coco, and bagels. At some point when we were outside the store Zevi decided he would like to pee. So, he proceeded to pull down his pants and pull-up and made a puddle right in front of the cafe door. This was, as they say, a teachable moment on the merits of restrooms. To the credit of patrons and owners no one bat and eye, as if puddles of pee materialize on the sidewalk outside on daily basis. More importantly, we were still welcome at the cafe next weekend.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Day +236
Hello! It has certainly been a while. Today we got the results of the 7th Chimerism test and, thank G-D, once again it is 100% donor! The over all blood work looks very good as well. Things took longer this time because of a week's delay in the appointment. On the planned appointment date we were in the middle of an unpleasant stomach bug and the clinic agreed that a will-to-live-sucking virus is best kept away from a immune-compromised people. We have since all gotten better and are no longer contagious, if anyone is wondering.
Life has been moving along, one week, one runny nose, one evening at a time. In recent days Zevi has been sleeping better. We are grateful for every night he lets us sleep until 6:30 uninterrupted and hope he makes it a habit! The boys have been playing together more as well, a couple of times over an hour at a go, having conversations. Just so you don't think it is all roses here, there are still bitter conflicts with Benya over hitting his brother and with Zeva over throwing things if he wants one more book at bed time, for example. In most cases the real culprit is being tired or sleepy or cranky, but I refuse to accept that as an excuse for hitting or throwing. Which leaves me, more often than not, in the role of a barking enforcer.
At other times, things are sweet. The boys give hugs as we leave for work and remind us that they are our friends (sometimes strategically / preemptively to avoid getting in trouble). In recent weeks I have taken the boys for ice cream after work a couple of times and the ice cream shop is still there. We still need to work on estimating the amount of ice cream per child, as more than half goes uneaten, but this is progress. Today, for instance, Benya and I went to Costco while Zeva, grandma Rita, and mom went to another store. Both trips went well, no fight over who gets to go with mom, and boys helped unload the groceries.
A quick highlight of personality difference.
Zev: recently for the first time produced a drawing that is not abstract art. With some small (unspecified) amount of help from the nanny he drew a green field for grass, yellow for earth and blue for the sky with a couple of flowers and even a butterfly (sponge, came with a set).
Benjamin: on Monday at 'circle time' at the daycare Alla got to witness a rare occasion of Benya volunteering to tell a story about his weekend. While other kids mostly spoke of Easter, Benya offered an entirely imagined account that went something like this: "We went up on an escalator, then up on an elevator, and then the transformer came over and pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew." Suffice to say Transformer cartoons are still off limits.
I shall conclude on this cheerful, if somewhat violent note, and leave everyone with the 7th result of 100% donor. F@cking A!
Life has been moving along, one week, one runny nose, one evening at a time. In recent days Zevi has been sleeping better. We are grateful for every night he lets us sleep until 6:30 uninterrupted and hope he makes it a habit! The boys have been playing together more as well, a couple of times over an hour at a go, having conversations. Just so you don't think it is all roses here, there are still bitter conflicts with Benya over hitting his brother and with Zeva over throwing things if he wants one more book at bed time, for example. In most cases the real culprit is being tired or sleepy or cranky, but I refuse to accept that as an excuse for hitting or throwing. Which leaves me, more often than not, in the role of a barking enforcer.
At other times, things are sweet. The boys give hugs as we leave for work and remind us that they are our friends (sometimes strategically / preemptively to avoid getting in trouble). In recent weeks I have taken the boys for ice cream after work a couple of times and the ice cream shop is still there. We still need to work on estimating the amount of ice cream per child, as more than half goes uneaten, but this is progress. Today, for instance, Benya and I went to Costco while Zeva, grandma Rita, and mom went to another store. Both trips went well, no fight over who gets to go with mom, and boys helped unload the groceries.
A quick highlight of personality difference.
Zev: recently for the first time produced a drawing that is not abstract art. With some small (unspecified) amount of help from the nanny he drew a green field for grass, yellow for earth and blue for the sky with a couple of flowers and even a butterfly (sponge, came with a set).
Benjamin: on Monday at 'circle time' at the daycare Alla got to witness a rare occasion of Benya volunteering to tell a story about his weekend. While other kids mostly spoke of Easter, Benya offered an entirely imagined account that went something like this: "We went up on an escalator, then up on an elevator, and then the transformer came over and pew-pew-pew-pew-pew-pew." Suffice to say Transformer cartoons are still off limits.
I shall conclude on this cheerful, if somewhat violent note, and leave everyone with the 7th result of 100% donor. F@cking A!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Day +221
This will be a straight re-post from Dream Drives for Kids. There is not much to add:
We wanted to say "thank you" to Tesla Motors and everyone who came over to Portland International Raceway yesterday for our "Dream Drive Experience" event. Special thanks to Tyler Um, Jeni Noerenberg Bartley, and Robert Gordo for the amazing photography, E.C. Mueller for the track, and the FANTASTIC team at Tesla for providing the cars.
We had nearly two dozen families join us throughout the day and by all measures it was a great success. Also, if you're not sure whether kids like going from 0 to 80 in under four seconds ... have a look at some of the reactions the media captured during the event:
We will DEFINITELY be doing events like this in the future so please share the word about Dream Drives for Kids and "like" and "share" this post with your friends!
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Day +214, a very fast ride
Today the boys got to be a part of a great event put on Dream Drives for Kids and a local Tesla store. In short, the folks from Tesla brought some of their most awesome cars to Portland International Raceway and drove kids around.
Section for the car fanatics:
Tesla Model S, P85D. 691 hp, 0 - 60 in 3.2 (!) sec. More impressively, while Bugatti Veyron Supersport goes 0 - 30 mph in 1.2 sec, the P85D does so in 1 flat. Yep. Fastest production car off the line. And it is a sedan.
For non-car fanatics:
The Teslas (we rode two) were super-fast with takeoff acceleration that not so much pushes but smashes one into the seat. In a way that makes all in the car grin uncontrollably and ask "can we do this again, please?"
And do again we did. First Zevi rode upfront with Eric, with Benjamin, baby sitter, and dad in the back. Then we switched the boys. Then baby sitter and dad got kicked out and the camera crew from the Oregonian got in. Zev was good to go; Benjamin was a little apprehensive, but once he realized that a) his brother is with him and b) he gets to ride again - Benjamin was in.
The boys had a blast - they ran rampant, refused to pose for pictures (got photographed anyway), interrupted everything they could, climbed in other display cars, and variously frolicked in the sun. They asked to ride in the "white car with orange wheels" which happened to be a 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (courtesy of Dream Drives for Kids; alas only on display today). Then they got to ride again, in another Tesla. It was pointed out to me that I am setting somewhat unrealistic automotive expectations, given that by now Zev has ridden in a McLaren mp4 12c, a red Ferrari 599, and now a pair of Tesla P85Ds. It was later pointed out by another (very wise) person, that if I am lucky, the Tesla they rode today just might depreciate enough that I will be able to afford they exact car they rode today by the time then earn their licenses, G-D willing. Be it as it may, they boys had a absolute blast. While I was asked to refrain from specifics of the drives, let me just say that we all enjoyed the acceleration and speed of the Teslas to the fullest, while in the safe hands of our excellent drivers.
Many thanks for Emity, Eric, Chloe, and Cooper Peterson for putting on this awesome event and a great Thank You to the folks at Tesla. And here is the link:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/03/tesla_motors_gives_sick_kids_t.html
Section for the car fanatics:
Tesla Model S, P85D. 691 hp, 0 - 60 in 3.2 (!) sec. More impressively, while Bugatti Veyron Supersport goes 0 - 30 mph in 1.2 sec, the P85D does so in 1 flat. Yep. Fastest production car off the line. And it is a sedan.
For non-car fanatics:
The Teslas (we rode two) were super-fast with takeoff acceleration that not so much pushes but smashes one into the seat. In a way that makes all in the car grin uncontrollably and ask "can we do this again, please?"
And do again we did. First Zevi rode upfront with Eric, with Benjamin, baby sitter, and dad in the back. Then we switched the boys. Then baby sitter and dad got kicked out and the camera crew from the Oregonian got in. Zev was good to go; Benjamin was a little apprehensive, but once he realized that a) his brother is with him and b) he gets to ride again - Benjamin was in.
The boys had a blast - they ran rampant, refused to pose for pictures (got photographed anyway), interrupted everything they could, climbed in other display cars, and variously frolicked in the sun. They asked to ride in the "white car with orange wheels" which happened to be a 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (courtesy of Dream Drives for Kids; alas only on display today). Then they got to ride again, in another Tesla. It was pointed out to me that I am setting somewhat unrealistic automotive expectations, given that by now Zev has ridden in a McLaren mp4 12c, a red Ferrari 599, and now a pair of Tesla P85Ds. It was later pointed out by another (very wise) person, that if I am lucky, the Tesla they rode today just might depreciate enough that I will be able to afford they exact car they rode today by the time then earn their licenses, G-D willing. Be it as it may, they boys had a absolute blast. While I was asked to refrain from specifics of the drives, let me just say that we all enjoyed the acceleration and speed of the Teslas to the fullest, while in the safe hands of our excellent drivers.
Many thanks for Emity, Eric, Chloe, and Cooper Peterson for putting on this awesome event and a great Thank You to the folks at Tesla. And here is the link:
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/03/tesla_motors_gives_sick_kids_t.html
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Day +201
Yesterday we received another great result: the Chimerim came back at 100%. We breathe, we move on.
Life continues at the Kaplan house. The boys are charming and infuriating within a span of minutes. Some cooperative play continues, though half the time it is Benya trying to get Zev to do something bad. Sleep is still touch and go, with Zevi waking up 2-4 times per night. Two being the much preferred option.
The important news, however, is the Chimerim, which is awesome!
Life continues at the Kaplan house. The boys are charming and infuriating within a span of minutes. Some cooperative play continues, though half the time it is Benya trying to get Zev to do something bad. Sleep is still touch and go, with Zevi waking up 2-4 times per night. Two being the much preferred option.
The important news, however, is the Chimerim, which is awesome!
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Day +199
Fun day and a good weekend. Got to play around in the park with the boys.
However, the weekend was not all fun and games. Project FIRE_TUCHES finally saw the two prototypes delivered to the customers. You will note that one of the customers requested the change in the propellant mixture, resulting in blue-and-red flames, as oppose to the traditional yellow-and-orange.
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| Zeva drive the ball as Benya passes to Natasha, 3/1/15 |
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| on the field |
However, the weekend was not all fun and games. Project FIRE_TUCHES finally saw the two prototypes delivered to the customers. You will note that one of the customers requested the change in the propellant mixture, resulting in blue-and-red flames, as oppose to the traditional yellow-and-orange.
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| Benya tries on the jet pack and adjusts the straps |
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| Clients receive the prototypes |
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| They seem satisfied |
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| Test run |
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Project FIRE_TUCHES is launched
We at KrokWorks, division of Kaplan UnLimited, are proud to report the launch of our inaugural project, Project 1, code named FIRE_TUCHES. In the interest of full disclosure is should be stated the inspiration for FIRE_TUCHES came to us via opportunistic industrial espionage, i.e. we saw it on someone at Costco. Regardless, the project was launched. Here is the progress report to date.
As a matter of fact, thrust was deemed insufficient and final design saw fuel dispense increased by 50%.
Next step will be custom harness for each unit and delivery to the clients.
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| Fuel tanks being painted, 2/22/15 |
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| Back plates receiving a coat as well. Not sure what happened to image orientation here. 2/25/15 |
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| Another paint coat for the tanks |
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| Back plate customization, of course. Again, not sure on the orientation. |
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| Fuel tanks mounted |
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| Gots to have fayia! |
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| Test fire was a success. |
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Day +194
Today Zevi had another monthly appointment. It was a long, but very good day. It was long because Zevi got the (possibly last) infusion of pentamidine. This one goes in via IV over a couple of hours. And if all goes well - today was the last one.
The blood numbers look very good. White blood cells are down a little, neutrophils are down a fair bit, but this is consistent with Zevi fighting off a bug (which everyone in the family now had, I am the last one). Platelets are up to 294k, second highest since BMT. Himoglobin is also at excellent 11.8.
Zevi appears to be clear for travel and public pools, even. We are still staying away from indoor public spaces due to the flue season and lack of vaccinations - those are due to start at a year post transplant if all is well.
Of course, blood was also taken for the monthly Chimerism test and we await the result anxiously. In the mean time - it was a great day. Here is Zev's picture from today.
The blood numbers look very good. White blood cells are down a little, neutrophils are down a fair bit, but this is consistent with Zevi fighting off a bug (which everyone in the family now had, I am the last one). Platelets are up to 294k, second highest since BMT. Himoglobin is also at excellent 11.8.
Zevi appears to be clear for travel and public pools, even. We are still staying away from indoor public spaces due to the flue season and lack of vaccinations - those are due to start at a year post transplant if all is well.
Of course, blood was also taken for the monthly Chimerism test and we await the result anxiously. In the mean time - it was a great day. Here is Zev's picture from today.
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| 2/24/2015 |
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