Quadruple Procedure Surgery Coming Right Up!

Hello family, friends and fans. In a week from tomorrow (October 13th), I am going to have surgery. It's going to be a quadruple procedure surgery! I will go into Children's Hospital Boston on Monday morning (hopefully I'm first so I don't have to wait around too long without eating) for the procedures:

1. Hernia repair- this is my second hernia. The first was when I was not even a year old. I've had it for awhile, but the doctors have not been able to find it- only mom and dad have seen it. Even so, the doctors know they have to go in to fix it. Luckily, it hasn't seemed to cause me any pain.

2. Endoscopy- for this procedure they will put a scope down into my stomach and look around to make sure my insides are working  properly. They will look for signs of reflux and/or scarring.

3. ABR test- This is the auditory brainstem response test. It gives information about the inner ear and brain pathways for hearing. Even though it is obvious that I can hear, this study will show more how my brain is processing sound. They do this by putting electrodes on my head and measuring my brain waves in response to sound. I have to be asleep when they do the test.

4. G-tube placement- For those of you who knew me as a baby, you know that I used to have a g-tube. Mom and Dad had it taken out once I was able to start eating. I've had it out since I was about 6 months old. As I've gotten older, it is hard for me to gain weight. I spend lots of time eating and trying to get in enough liquids. I weigh just under 40 lbs and will be nine years old next month. With the g-tube, I will be able to get nutrition in more quickly and easily. I will have a little "button" coming out of my stomach that a tube can attach to. I can even be fed overnight!

So on October 13th send some positive thoughts and energy my way!

Kai's Tri!

Well, we did it again! Mom and I competed in our second triathlon on September 6th at Craigville beach in Hyannis. It was an overcast and misty day, with really BIG waves! Mom was a little worried about the waves at the start, but we pulled through. Here's how it all went down...
(Click here to see the video)

These are our friends Sean and Julia. They did the race with us last year too. 

Another team started with us also, Alex and Kyle!

Al and Addy watching us take off!

 Here we are getting into the water after the whistle blew! It was super wavy! Mom was worried the boat would get blown over and I would fall out! Dad paddled along side us in the kayak to make sure I was safe. After about 50 yards into the swim, I came detached from Mom! She had to swim back to get me and reattach the rope to her belt. It was a little scary, but we kept going. We started at the back of our wave, but mom managed to pass (and run over) a couple of people with the boat!

 

 Here we are coming out of the water after a quarter mile swim. Dad didn't bring a change of clothes and he got a little wet carrying me out! Then it was time to transition to the bike!

Dad was our pit crew, making sure we were hooked up safely. Al (Mema's fiance) rode along with us to keep other riders from getting too close on our 10 mile bike.

 Coming into the finish on the bike. Luckily, Al was with us on the ride. He took one for the team when a rider got too close and he had a fall. Fortunately, he only had a few scrapes and was able to finish the ride.

Next we transitioned to the run. Mom and I did this part on our own. Only 3.6 miles to go!

 Our friend Karen surprised us on the run and took some pics!

 Almost to the end! This is where we caught up to Sean and Julia!

We got to cross the finish line together!

 Mom helped me walk across myself.

Our final time was 1:36:31. Four minutes faster then last year!

Our supporters! Dad, Liam, Addy and Al. Mema was taking the picture. Our friends Cindy, Krystyna and Skyler were there to watch and cheer also! It was a great day!

All of the Chatham Mom's and Me (well, and Liam too).

Chilling out after the race! I am a warrior!

We even had an article in the newspaper about Mom and I!

SuMmErTiMe!

 I only have two weeks left of summer! Where did the time go? As usual, we have had a BUSY few months. Here are the highlights...

Before the last day of school we left for vacation in the Finger Lakes Region in New York. We went camping with my Mema, Aunties, Uncles and Cousins. There were 27 of us in all!

Lots of time hanging out at the pool...

...and resting in the shade.

Vineyards in Keuka Lake

Here I am getting ready to "hike" in Watkins Glen.

There were beautiful waterfalls and over 750 steps!

Rest time after the hike with my cousins.

Reading books with Aunties Lexi, Lauren and Cousins

We made pirate hats!

Hanging at the campground with Mema.

 

 

 

 After our super camping trip in NY, I flew on an airplane with Mom, Liam and Addy to visit my Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Mandie in Illinois.

We went with our 2nd cousins to a old time farm.

They had chickens and other animals too.

We washed clothes on a washboard.

Me with my brother, sister and cousins Elizabeth and Catherine

We visited by Great Grandpa Bob

At Wild West town we got to pan for gold, go on rides and watch a wild west show.

Of course we had to get an old west photo!

An evening boat ride on the Fox River with Kris and Steve

On our way home!

All of that fun happened by the second week in July! When I got back to Cape Cod I started summer school a couple of days a week and worked a lot on my Family Hope Center program. We had a backyard campout and my brother had his 6th birthday party!

Backyard campfire- I love roasted marshmallows!

My girl Taylor and I at Liam's birthday party!

Tevor the Juggler came to Liam's party and I got to try some tricks!

 At the beginning of August I went to horse riding camp. We did lots of crafts, went on carriage rides and rode horses!

I made the octopus!

Pirate Day at camp! Addy and I make great pirates!

Taylor helping me make my octopus.

Time to paint!

 The week after horse camp we went to one of the best places ever: Dream Day Cape Cod! This is the second year I've gotten to go to Dream Day and it is so much fun!

Me and my pine cone owl- Hoot!

Fishing with mom. I caught the biggest fish of the week!

Hanging with Maeve by the pond

My egg drop contraption- it even worked when slingshot across the field!

Channeling my inner Robin Hood!

Our home for the week- cabin 9 (like our tye-dye shirts?)

Playing at the beach with Dad

Parrot head at the Luau

Maeve and I at the Luau

On the whale watching boat (I got sea sick :-/)

Sleeping at the beach!

A humpback whale!

A few other adventures this summer...

Hiking with my bro and sis!

Kayaking at the pond

Watching Charlie Brown at the Cape Rep

 Next weekend we are going on a camping/biking trip with my family. We will bike to, two different campgrounds and stay overnight in a tent! Then in a couple of weeks I am doing my second triathlon with mom! Stay tuned!