Here is the latest update.  Alexa got sick on Thursday, February 10th in the evening, probably with the flu.  She was home Friday through Monday with fever and stomach pain.  She missed Valentines Day at school and her party.  She was also sick in February during Valentines Day week when she was in 1st grade.  Daegen seemed to be doing well and it appeared he might not catch what Alexa had.  Janelle and I were obviously looking back at the last two attempts to go on Daegen's Make-A-Wish trip.  The last two times Daegen had fever and we had to cancel.  Janelle and I were hoping that Daegen, her and I were able to keep from getting sick so we would not have to cancel for the third time.  I know the Make-A-Wish people were getting anxious for us to go so they could complete this wish for Daegen.  

Well, Daegen came down with fever on Tuesday.  The lucky thing with Daegen is as soon as he gets fever we call the doctors immediately.  We were going to take him to his pediatrician as per St. Jude's advice.  Before we could get in to see the doctor, Daegen's fever got higher.  I felt more comfortable taking him to the ER so I called St. Jude back and the concurred.  Daegen had a fever of 102.5 when we met with the triage nurse.  Stormont Vail gave Daegen some Rocefin, a high dose antibiotic just as a precaution.  He had to have a couple of pokes for blood draws and did just fine.  He took his Tylenol pill to the surprise of the nurses.  They brought in liquid which I knew wouldn't work.  They tested Daegen and diagnosed him with Influenza A.  The doctor prescribed Tamiflu and suggested that Janelle and I have our primary care physicians prescribe each of us some Tamiflu to help prevent us from getting the flu.  Daegen was highly contagious and Alexa probably had already developed a resistance to the flu since that is probably what she had.  Looking back, Janelle and I are thankful that the sickness occurred just the way it did.  Had Alexa been sick a week later, we would have to have canceled the trip again.  Daegen is fine right now.  He had fever that Tuesday but did not have any fever since then.  Janelle and I really couldn't tell that Daegen had the flu.  He was the same little boy he always has been through all of his illness.  Janelle and I so far have been flu free as well.  Keep your fingers crossed.

We leave early Friday morning to go to Florida.  Eric and Jackie from Make-A-Wish visited with us Sunday evening to give us a few things for the trip.  They gave both Alexa and Daegen backpacks full of goodies.  Alexa and Daegen each got their own camera, which they put to use that night.  I am not sure I can put into words just how much this trips means to Janelle and I.  I know Alexa and Daegen are looking forward to this trip but for other reasons.  Janelle and I both realize the importance of this trip.  We will have some time alone, away from home where we can unwind and have fun.  Even though we still have to deal with Daegen's illness, this will give us a great opportunity to just let loose and enjoy.  The trip hopefully will do wonders for our mental well-being.  

Alexa will miss a few days of school but all things considered it will be worth it.  She has worked so hard and with missing school two days last week, she really had to push herself to get caught up only to get behind again next week.  She surprised Janelle and I with her all her tests that week.  Alexa is growing up so much right before our eyes and it is so hard to see it with everything that is going on.  Janelle and I have many regrets with what we have been going through over the last year and a half.  One of them is that Alexa and Daegen have been forced to grow up and take on adult like roles.  This is not really fair to either of them but they both have excelled and continue to surprise and impress Janelle and I.  I know I have said this many times before about kids, but please enjoy each and every moment and cherish them forever.  This goes for the big kids too.  I feel pain for Alexa and Daegen for not being able to just be kids like all of their friends.  They have adjusted so well and will continue to prevail.  

Alexa played basketball this year with her third grade class.  Even with missing two games because she was sick, I am proud to say that Alexa is tied for the team lead with points scored this year with at least two other girls.  She has, get this, 2 points.  Wow.  What a wonderful year this has been.  Alexa just continues to show us that she can do anything she wants.  I know you might be laughing since she has only scored 2 points.  One game the only basket for Alexa's team came from the opposing team as they shot at the wrong goal.  I am not trying to make fun of Alexa and her team.  I can assure you this, after every turnover, and there were many more of turnovers than points scored, there was not one girl on Alexa's team running back down the court without a smile on their face.  They never got upset and always enjoyed themselves.  What a unique experience for Alexa and her friends to hang out outside of school.  They do have one more game but Alexa will miss it since she will be at Disney World.  I know next year they will score more and improve greatly.  Many of the girls are playing for the first time.  My only regret is that I did not get Alexa's basket on the camcorder.  There were a bunch of proud parents in the stands after each game.  

My next e-mail will be an update of how our wish trip went.  I don't know if I will send an update from Florida or not.  When we get home on Wednesday, Daegen and I have to turn around on Thursday and go to Memphis for his visit.  I will definitely get an update out after that if not before.  This Thursday, Friday and Saturday 94 Country, the local radio station will be having their St. Jude fundraiser.  They are having a Country Cares for Kids Radio-a-thon on Thursday and Friday and a Bowl-a-thon on Saturday.  We are sad we are going to miss the fundraiser this year but are trip is important to us.  Janelle, Daegen and I will stop by on Thursday for the live broadcast 94 Country is doing.  I think there is a chance that we will be interviewed on the air so we can talk about St. Jude and how they have helped our family.  Just a note for our KU Med friends.  Janelle and I will never forget what you have done for us and for Daegen.  Janelle and Alexa were both a little disappointed that we were not sent to see you when Daegen was diagnosed with the flu.  What a strange thing.  We want to visit with all of you because we miss you but really don't want to have Daegen be sick just to see you.  I want to thank you all again for all you have done for Daegen and continue to do for others.  Thank you.      

Please continue to pray for the children and yourself.  God bless.

Lance and Janelle Feyh

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