Cool Scoop

Found this old commercial.  

Recognize anyone?

Pop goes the...

     Sawyer's surgery was successful today, but the doctor made a surprising discovery during the procedure.  Turns out, Sawyer's ureter had partially popped out from his bladder.  There was not enough of his ureter in the bladder for the bladder muscle to properly contract around it.  Therefore, urine easily back-flowed into the kidney causing the infections.

     The doctor believes Sawyer's ureter popped out because he is a "chronic holder". Good thing Sawyer has been going through Pee Pee Boot Camp.  If he does not maximize his potty breaks, he will have more serious issues in the future. 

     Although the ureter could not be placed into its proper position, the Deflux procedure corrected the back-flow (re-flux).  Sawyer is home and resting well.  He came home with a foley catheter.  So, he will stay put until we remove it tomorrow.

     Thank you for all of the prayers. Although this was a minor procedure, we take none of them for granted.  We are grateful for the excellent team at CHKD and great friends and family. 

Deflux

     
     After months of Pee Pee Boot Camp, Sawyer has his Deflux procedure tomorrow (11/5) at CHKD.  Hopefully, this will help his ureter fully contract to stop the back-flow (reflux) of urine going into his kidney and causing infection.  Infection is deadly to a transplanted kidney.  So, tomorrow is necessary.

     We would appreciate all prayers for Sawyer and the success of the surgery.  It's been nice to get a break from the hospital, but we are grateful for the caring professionals at CHKD.

Sawyer had an important conversation with me while watching the game.  He was unfazed, as usual, by my passion for fair play.  At least, that's what I'd like to call it. 

Seven!

     Sawyer turns seven today.  He has been counting down the days to seven ever since he turned six… because that is how he rolls.

     He went to bed early, couldn't sleep with excitement and woke up early this morning.  Happy Birthday to my fun-loving, tough guy!

Don't look!

Sawyer blew into my home office yesterday.  I quickly told him he would not get his birthday present if he sees it in my office.  Of course, I just did this to torture him as his birthday present was never in my office.

     It's Karen's tradition to make a placemat for each child on their birthday.  Sawyer is all about Pac Man right now.

 

Up early and ready!

 

Two Years Ago

Two Years ago today Sawyer was in the ICU shortly after we learned his kidneys had failed.   Here he is  today...

 

 



As One Adventure Ends...

Toby and Scott
(Year One)

    Today my partner and I sold our Cold Stone Creamery in Greenbrier. It is hard to believe our ten year adventure of bringing the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience has come to an end. 



     I will miss the over crowding of my freezer doors at home from "Everybody" size cartons of our favorite Signature Creations.  But, what I will miss most is our people. 

Matt, Toby, Jerika & Andre (Store Manager & Great Friend)

      At one point, we owned four stores, which has given us the privilege of working with hundreds of incredible crew members, managers and vendors.  I am so grateful for their hard work and sacrifices.  They took great care of our guests, each other, my family and me.  I have learned and gained so much from them that words will fall way short here.

First Shift (2004)

Last Shift (2013)

     I thank God for my partner Scott.  Like any good partnership, our strengths and weakness always offset each other.  This has been one of the greatest assets of our business.  I know Scott is known as the "silent partner", but this is a misconception.  Few will ever know the weight he carried and the wisdom he poured out to help us navigate through the valleys and reach the mountain tops.  Scott, you are a great friend.  I love you brother and I trust God is not finished with us yet.

     I thank God I got to be a part of this adventure.  I have come to know Him better and trust Him more as a result.  We were profitable during the Great Recession, had award winning stores and the sales at our Greenbrier store always trumped all others in our region.  But, this is not why my faith was strengthened. 

      We suffered many defeats along the way.  Pure defeats, not just setbacks.  It was during these moments- the times when our backs were pressed suffocatingly hard against the wall, the occasions when the hits stung so deeply that you went numb and the losses were so great that they will never be regained- these are the moments that galvanized my faith in God Almighty. [Who knew there was so much drama selling ice cream?!?]

Passing the spade to the new owner.  Sanjay! 

     As one adventure ends, another will begin.  Looking forward to the next adventure, but I will be forever grateful for this one.

REASON #18

WARNING:  EXPLICIT PDL* CONTENT.  Read at your own risk.

 

 

You have captured my heart,

    my treasure, my bride.

You hold it hostage with one 

 glance of your eyes...

          Song of Solomon 4:9

 

    My wife is beautiful from head to toe...inside and out.  However, I can hardly pull myself away from her eyes.  They captivate me.  I gaze into her eyes and never tire. 

     Today marks 18 years of marriage to Karen (or 225 months of dating) and I'm still held hostage by her eyes. 

 

      Every year I update the following list.  So here it is with the it's newest addition-- #18. 

Reasons Why I Love Karen

(No Particular Order)

By Toby DeBause (Karen’s Husband)

1. She desires and seeks after God.

2. What you see is what you get. Genuine. No pretense.
3. Her integrity can never be disputed.
4. She is an incredible mother.

5. She has a great ear and loves to use it.
6. She snores only on occasion.

7. She never gives up.
8. I know she loves me
9. She knows great coffee.
10. I trust her completely

11. I’d be lost without her.
12. She never gets mad at me when I ask for help finding my keys.

13. She is my best friend.

14. She inspires me.
15. She is beautiful
16. She goes where He leads.

17. She gives all for the ones she loves.

18. Her eyes.

Year 14 Video. 
Hit the full screen button after it starts or buy reading glasses.


*Public Declaration of Love (PDL)

Clear Direction

    We met with a new doctor this week to address Sawyer's most recent issues. (For a better explanation of the new issues, go here.) 

The short of it is that Sawyer has reflux in his ureter allowing urine to back flow into his transplanted kidney.  This caused two episodes of infection in his transplanted kidney.  These episodes jeopardize his kidney. Not good… at all.

     The doctor, a pediatric urologist, scheduled Sawyer for endoscopic surgery (outpatient) in September. In  the surgery, she will inject Deflux into the opening of Sawyer's ureter.  Deflux is a bulking agent that will help Sawyer's ureter stay closed when his bladder is contracted.

     We prayed for wisdom and clear direction.  Our prayers were answered.  The urologist did not even give us the option of the more invasive surgery.  We are grateful and relieved. Sawyer is being spared from a lot more pain and suffering.  We wish they did not have to tamper with any part of the transplant, but some tampering is better than a lot. 

     In the meantime, Sawyer's Pee-Pee Boot Camp has to be extended and intensified.  This will help with his bladder abnormalities.  The doctor needs to see more progress before she will do the surgery in September.  We bought him a watch that sounds an alarm every two hours reminding him to start "the drill".  Pray the little soldier cooperates.  

Homeschooling means...

taking a test on the backside
 of a laundry basket.

Buckling up.

     It appears Sawyer needs to strap on his Superman belt again as another battle (or two) lies ahead. This morning's procedure at CHKD showed that Sawyer has three new issues. 

     First, Sawyer does have reflux in his ureter which means urine is back-flowing into his kidney.  This would be the obvious source of his kidney infections.  Kidney infections will damage his transplanted kidney.  So, Sawyer will need to have the reflux corrected soon.

     There are two options in treating the reflux.  Surgical re-implantation of the ureter to his bladder or an endoscopic injection of a bulking agent into his ureter. 

     Sawyer's kidney doctor has been impressed by the results of the endoscopic injections.  We absolutely do not want Sawyer to have to suffer through another surgery.  However, surgical re-implantation is the most definitive method.  We have a lot to learn and discuss before moving forward with any option.  We will be consulting with a urologist who has experience with transplant patients soon.

     The other two issues that surfaced today were Sawyer's bladder showing some abnormalities and Sawyer not voiding enough urine.  His kidney doctor did not show immediate concern regarding the abnormalities because they may be caused by the other issue of not voiding enough urine.  The doctor thinks Sawyer is a "chronic holder".  So, for the next 30 days, Sawyer will need to go through Pee-Pee Boot Camp!  I'll spare you the details of Pee-Pee Boot Camp, but knowing Sawyer, Karen and I will have to buckle our superbelts too.

     Thank you for the prayers today.  Sawyer responded well to the sedation drug this morning, but it was still a very uncomfortable procedure.  It hurt to watch.  When I saw the catheter tube, I immediately asked, "that's not the tube you are using, is it?"  Unfortunately, it was. Sawyer is one tough kid… even without the Superman belt!