A Sunday Afternoon Walk and SHE Event

On Sunday it was a bit warmer than it has been in a while and we had a couple of hours to spare together between lunch and the SHE Event with Rebecca St. James. We had the perfect opportunity to get out of doors and experience something new. The Careys bought us this wonderful external frame backpack carrier for a baby shower gift, and so we had to take Ansel out for a test-run in it. Next time we hope to take him for a long hike because...he loved it! We had been talking about how we still want to have some adventures with Ansel this summer, even if it can't be a three day weekend kayaking with our 4 pound backpacker's tent to islands. We are still trying to figure out just how daring we can be with our little Ansel and keep him warm, dry, happy, and most of all, safe! His dad was excited at the prospect of spending numerous hours this summer with the sun shining and Ansel on his back! Overall great fun had by all (I liked photographing my handsome guys!)

Ansel and Travis had a guys' night together while I went out to the SHE Event. The style of the event was super laid back, Rebecca St. James wanted the ladies in attendence to feel as though it was just having coffee one on one. Her heart to our hearts. It was nearly exactly like that and it was easy to forget that 500 plus other women were there. The vibe was even more intimate than a Jennifer Knapp concert I attended back in the day at the Pioneer in Reno. Perhaps that was due to the fact that it was at our own little Amherst Baptist Church, where I would guess there were no more than 700 women (including the handful of very sneaky men who somehow got in--crashing our mother/daughter night! ;) My friends and I were only about 5 rows from the stage.

Rebecca is so genuine, so true to the character that a Christian woman should have (gotta love that Aussie accent as well.) I am thankful that little girls have a role model to look up to in such a disappointing, sex-crazed, immodest world. Rebecca's younger brothers, Joel and Luke, sang backup and those boys are blessed with some voices! What a talented family! It is apparent that Rebecca longs for fellow believers and a lost world to delve into a deeper relationship with Christ. Among the topics were modesty, purity, and raising godly children. I was encouraged in my walk with Jesus and it was fabulous to spend a night worshipping with my girlfriends.

Six Months and Counting!

I can hardly believe it! The time has passed quickly. Ansel is growing fast. He is nearly 17 pounds and a strong little guy. Travis shot some six month photos and these happen to be my favorites. :)

Three Milestones, One Week

On Sunday Ansel rolled for the first time from back to tummy just after waking up from his nap. Travis and I were so excited! We congratulated him and he turned his head toward our voices, subsequently bumping his head on the side of his crib. I don't know if we are ready for the toddler stage that seems far off at the moment but is rapidly approaching. We hear he will be bumping into almost every surface.

Ansel is rolling...today Ansel rolled from his back to his tummy to his back again. This baby boy is surely going to be crawling in no time!

Today Ansel sat up on his own for the first time! He had his hands free and sat up unassisted for about 15 or maybe even 20 seconds. Amazing!

A day at home with Ansel

Ansel is changing quickly. His hair is getting thicker. He continues to make new sounds and puts different syllables together. He plays independently and babbles. Ansel enjoys scratching different fabrics and surfaces. He seems to like the noises it makes. His hands mesmerize him. Frequently, he will stare at them and seems fascinated with their movement. Ansel is truly a joy to watch.

Travis is in beautiful Redondo Beach, CA this week. Please pray for safe travels as he is away.

Ansel and Keys

Ansel is more than 16 pounds these days. He is laughing more each day. We are having a blast getting him to chuckle and crack smiles for us. We are truly blessed that God has entrusted Ansel to us.

Travis & Ansel

Do you see a resemblance?

Big Smile

Ansel likes sitting in the dining room with us!

Tummy Time

Ansel is liking tummy time a bit more these days. He even rolled over 3 times yesterday! First to the left, then to the right, then to the left again! We couldn't be more thrilled with our son. Ansel, you are precious!!!

Goodbye, Swaddle. Hello, Sleep Sack!

Ansel, what else?

Hi everybody!

My latest discovery: Fingers Taste Great!

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I just love those sweet little toes!!! Ansel's feet have grown more than I can believe in the past 12 weeks. Travis shot this photo and I enjoy it very much!

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reflections of Ansel

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ode to a belly button

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room with a view

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Ansel relaxing in the hotel room on Monday morning before my surgery. He is a tough little dude, put up with a lot this week. Praise God for an easy-going son!

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signage for a son

Seen while travelling Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in the University Circle area of Cleveland.

Back from Cleveland Clinic

Travis' kidney was successfully removed.

The trip went smoothly and we were blessed by the way our heavenly Father provided. The youth pastor from our church and our friend, Eric Napoli; his mom, Rosie Napoli; and the wife of another pastor at our church, Laura Gillette; came and waited with Michelle and Ansel while Travis underwent surgery. A couple from our church that we hardly knew came and supported us with prayer and their willingness to serve us for the next two days while Travis was hospitalized. They took care of Ansel so that Michelle could be attentive to Travis at his bedside.

We are truly blessed. Travis was able to come home last night, so he didn't have to spend his entire birthday in the hospital :) He will be at home recovering for the next 4-6 weeks.

Thank you to everyone who prayed for us.

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Thank you for letting us share in this beautiful wedding, Jamie & Jon!

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Ever seen a redneck ride a running engine before? I can always count on a visit to the Stauffers' to bring me back to my roots. If Andrew's pantleg is any indication, it is running a little rich!

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Very interesting shot from Monroeville, IN. Driving back after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner, it started to snow heavily and I turned around after driving past this monument to soldiers long gone.

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Captured on the drive to Indiana for Thanksgiving. Light through the windows of the car at a rest stop. Aperture f/1.4, ISO 3200, 1/15s, handheld.

laparascopic nephrectomy (possibly morcellated)

also known as a kidney removal...

We didn't end up having to return to Cleveland today. That was a relief, as Monday's trip had left me a little worn out.

My nephrectomy is scheduled for Monday, 11/26. I'll probably be in the hospital for 3 days, and then return to Buffalo to recuperate for 4-6 weeks before returning to work.

Before then we will be driving to IN to celebrate Thanksgiving, returning to Buffalo on Saturday for the Mangus/Dalbo wedding (happy pre-nuptials Jon & Jamie!!), and then return to Cleveland Sunday PM or Monday AM depending on the exact time of the surgery.

Thank you for all the prayers!

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sparkling, huh?

I'm already dreading this 'lemony' beverage, and I don't have to take it until Sunday.

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marathon, as in today was a marathon of a day. Six hours driving, six hours with the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic preparing for next week's kidney removal. And I may get to drive back and do it again tomorrow!

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double-chinned dreamin'

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chillin'

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truckin'

Adventures of Ansel & Co....

can be found on Michelle's picasa page:

http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle

Overwhelmed...

Wow.

I am a father.

Another jaunt to Cleveland...

Michelle and I spent the last couple of days in Cleveland visiting with the doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. They are trying to determine why a 26 year old would have a heart attack, even if the genes are stacked against him.

I visited a vascular medicine specialist, a hematologist/oncologist, and a urologist. Most of the tests are still being analyzed, but there are a couple possibilities for next steps in the process:

1. Perform a spinal tap to evaluate my bone marrow. It is possible that my blood is not being created with the right amount of white/red cells, and this led to my early-onset coronary artery disease.

2. Remove my right kidney. During the initial investigation at the ER, they determined that something was wrong with my right kidney. Subsequent tests have revealed that it is approximately twice the size of a normal kidney and completely non-functional. Urologist #1 in Buffalo said it definitely needed to come out, Urologist #2 in Buffalo said there was no reason for it to come out, and Urologist #3 in Cleveland said it needs to come out. Evidently the outlet of my kidney has plugged up and it has caused the kidney to swell at some time in the past.

We'll be juggling future trips to Cleveland around the REAL important date of September 24. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer.

Growing Michelle

Happy 4th of July!

Photos are up...

Browse here for more:

http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle

It's been a while...

What has happened since April 23...

Angiogram #4 happened during our visit to Cleveland. The cardiologist found that the secondary blockage which was found following the initial stent placement was due to one of those stents being placed improperly. The blockage was not cleared, and I'm still living day-to-day with a 100% blockage of my left anterior descending artery. He recommended being seen by a vascular medicine specialist (a hematologist). We spent the month of May and most of June waiting for BlueCross/BlueShield to approve a new referral, and now have an appointment for July 3. There will probably be no more procedures, just a determination of the best drug and diet therapy for the future. I have been feeling good and cardiac rehab is going very well.

We are having a boy! A sonogram on May 1 revealed (in a rather obvious way) that we are indeed going to be blessed with a big brother for the remainder of the Slagle kids. I now have go-karts to build and hunting trips to plan!!

We spent a week of vacation in Nebraska at the beginning of June. It was relaxing, and a great time just hanging out with friends and family. We also camped in the Thousand Islands region of NY over Memorial Day weekend and spent a weekend in the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Michelle's stomach continues to grow at a prodigious rate. We'll take another pregnant pic for the series "Pregnant in B&W" soon, it will be posted to http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle. I'll also try to post more prego Michelle pictures to satisfy those whining of not enough photo coverage (Dana!!!)

For those of you in NV, you'll have the opportunity to see the belly in person, as Michelle will be visiting from July 17-31. I'll be joining her for the weekend of the 28 and 29 to attend Cassidy and Erin's wedding.

I think that about does it (congrats to you if you made it through this entire post!)

The Slagles: 1 BlueCross/BlueShield of WNY: 0

All-

After some wrestling with our insurance provider, BlueCross/BlueShield, we are finally headed to Cleveland tomorrow to get an opinion from an expert cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic.

The doctor is not sure that he will perform an angiogram. During his initial review of my case, he said that I would be a good candidate for what I believe is the Frontrunner catheter. However, he reviewed my angiogram films today and was not as sure that he would be able to get through the blockage.

All the same, I will be glad to get advice from him. The Cleveland Clinic is reputed to be the #1 heart center in the nation, so if a doctor there tells me to go ahead and live my life with a 100% blockage, I'll feel a little bit better about it.

Our appointment is at 1 PM tomorrow (4/24) afternoon, and if they do go ahead with an angiogram, it will be scheduled for sometime on Wednesday.

Please pray for wisdom for the doctor, patience for us, and safe travel to Cleveland.

Thank you to everyone for their support throughout this process,

Travis & Michelle

about that angiogram no. 4...

BlueCross/BlueShield of Western New York decided that they weren't so sure that I needed to go to Cleveland. I went for a second opinion on Thursday, and the cardiologist agreed with my initial cardiologist's determination. Hopefully that will be enough to change the mind of the insurance company, and we'll be heading to Cleveland on the 24th and 25th.

Please pray for patience, I know that this will happen (or not) in God's timing, but it is awfully hard to remember that sometimes.

Michelle's tummy continues to grow, we will find out if Jr. is a boy or a girl within the next couple of weeks!

12 week sonogram and Michelle+baby pics can be seen here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/michelle.slagle

Angiogram #4

Quick update:

I have returned to work (started March 21).

We will be traveling to the Cleveland Clinic (#1 heart Center in the nation) for my fourth angiogram on April 17. They will do some tests on the 17th, and the angiogram will be on the 18th. Please pray for safety for me and Michelle, as the Clinic isn't in a very safe neighborhood.

Michelle's tummy is getting bigger ;)

What today brings...the things I heard!

This morning. 8am. Listening to the heartbeat of our precious little baby (whom we can't wait to meet!) was incredible. Apparently the baby's position was perfect because it was loud and the nurse found it before she could finish preparing us not to freak out if it took a while or if she was unable to find it at all. Amazing! Hopefully the baby has a ticker that is just as strong as his/her father's, Travis has wonderful heart function despite his recent heart attack. Wow. I don't think I can ever forget that sound (Travis and I keep making the sound to each other)!

This afternoon. 4:15pm. Hearing my boss tell me that I am an unreliable employee. Having to sit there while she faulted me, in every category except for conduct with employees and interaction with the clients, for my absenteeism on account of my husband's health and that my behavior would not be tolerated. Unbelieveable! Perhaps God did for me what I could not do for myself. It will be hard to forget the harshness in her voice, when all I ever did was strive to work hard there as a nutritionist. I just wanted to make a difference with the clients and help them make changes that would impact their health for the better.

The events of today were far more surprising than I imagined. It was even nearly 60 degrees and sunny all day! The best part was heading to a funky, hip district in Buffalo for dinner with my husband to talk about today and how our time tomorrow might be spent. The prospect of hanging with Travis for the next few days makes it all a lot sweeter.

Angiogram #3

I had my third angiogram on Thursday, March 8. I ended up spending the night in the hospital, as the sheath that they used to insert the angiogram tools wasn't removed until early in the afternoon and they gave me a large amount of blood thinners (7k of Heparin).

Unfortunately the angiogram was unsuccessful, I still have a 100% blockage at the distal end of my left anterior descending artery. The blockage has hardened, and the doctor performing the procedure says that they probably cannot get through it. The cardiologist believes that it isn't necessary to clear the blockage, as my heart is functioning very well, collateral vessels have formed around the blockage, and I have no symptoms (chest pain, etc).

Since the thought of having one artery completely blocked isn't too appealing, I think we will get a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic (#1 heart center in the nation, only a few hours drive away from here.)

I am feeling good, my leg isn't as sore as it was yesterday.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers,

Travis

Michelle

My cool celebrity look-alike collage from MyHeritage.com. Get one for yourself.

My Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

Thanks Dave, you helped me spend 10 minutes of my VERY empty day.

Prayer Request

*EDIT*

Procedure has been rescheduled for March 8th. I guess the doctor needs some specialized tools and they were not in yet.

******************************************

Tomorrow at 8:30 AM I will be having my 3rd angiogram. Please pray that the procedure goes smoothly, and if it is God's will, that they will be able to clear the blockage in my artery.

My heart is actually in really good condition, but they would like to get this artery cleaned out all the same. My ejection fraction, a measure of the heart muscle's performance, is 60-65%. (Normal is anything over 50%.) Immediately following the heart attack my EF was only 40-45%! The occlusion (blockage) is at the end of the artery, and collateral vessels (small vessels that carry blood around an occlusion) have formed to supply my heart muscle with blood.

Thank you

Zcar Photos

Interested in fun pictures of the Zcar we used to own?

Before, during, and after pictures are here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/travis.slagle

the beauty of buffalo...

the joy of buffalo

bitterly cold today, the wind picked up that 10 degree weather and stuffed it down our necks.

kidney update

I visited the urologist this morning, expecting to find out many wonderful things about my cystic and oversized right kidney. While in the hospital I had been told that three diagnoses were possible:

a) Congenital problem, was born with a kidney that was partially obstructed. Obstructed kidneys swell up like balloons.

b) I developed a partial blockage at some point in my life, and then the aforementioned swelling began.

c) The cystic tissue is cancer. Yeah!

According to the doctor I saw in the hospital almost 2 months ago, any of the three options would mean a removal of my kidney in the future. This was due to the possibility of the kidney rupturing during an auto accident, etc. They would wait until I had recovered from my heart problems before removing (probably a year or so.)


However, the doctor I saw this morning labeled it as option A and said there was no reason to remove it. He is a more senior physician that the doctor I saw in the hospital and said he is very sure that this is a congenital condition. Come back in six months for a checkup.

This should have made me feel better, but for some reason it did not.

and now for something completely different...

and the saga continues...

So I thought that I was returning to work yesterday. Rehab had been going smooth, I was exercising for an hour four times per week, life was grand. I was supposed to meet with the doctor on Wednesday and get back to some form of normalcy.

Then I had a stress test last Thursday. (During which I decided to faint while the nurses were installing the IV. Generated entirely too much commotion, I don't recommend it.)

I received a call from my cardiologist on Friday. The front of my heart was not receiving an adequate amount of blood flow, so he wanted another angiogram performed. It was scheduled for yesterday (so much for going back to work).

During the angiogram yesterday it was discovered that one of the arteries which had previously been opened and stented had closed back up. Unfortunately, the doctor was unable to open up the blockage. My heart function is good and it is stable, but I will have to have another angiogram in about a month. And no rehab or work until the next angiogram.

Thank you all for your prayers and concerns during this time. God is taking good care of Michelle and I, partially through the friends that he has placed around us to comfort us.

A saturday in Buffalo

An ice encapsulated bush.

One of my favorite buildings on the University campus.

Tonawanda Island, NY

I can't tell if these are unfinished water towers, or some kind of grain/salt storage device.

Any ideas?

changes and a question

I'm home on sick leave...

pro: reading

con: EXTREME laziness, guilt for not being productive


Black was depressing, a color change was in order.


Any idea what these are?

(Tonawanda Island, NY)

it is thinking time...

On Friday, December 8, I had the scariest moment of my life. Michelle and I were eating sushi at a Japanese restaurant in Toronto, and she choked on an oversized spicy tuna roll. In the frantic seconds that followed, I attempted the Heimlich in vain, experienced a fear that bordered on hysteria, and then clutched Michelle as close as possible after she forced the offending fish down her throat with her finger.

Sometime between December 11 and December 13 I had a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction, 100% blockage of the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery, 100% blockage of one of the diagonal arteries coming from the LAD, to be precise.)

Coincidence? Methinks not.

Changes are afoot.

One would assume that these would be diet, exercise, etc. However, with the exception of additional exercise, most of my day-to-day calorie storage and expenditure won't be changing. After all, Michelle is a dietitian.

The changes I speak of deal with the heart (no pun intended). My relationship with God has been founded on whatever has been convenient for Travis P. Slagle, Esq. As I sat in bed (in a striking cotton miniskirt/kimono number) I heard God speaking through these events. There have been a number of instances where I have narrowly avoided an end to these years here on earth. God has a purpose for my life, and it is high time that I started looking for it.

Travis had a heart attack

My husband awoke at 3am on Thursday morning with severe chest pain. We got to the emergency room and explained the situation, the lady at the desk mockingly asked him, have you ever had heartburn? Travis assured her that this was definitely not heartburn and the staff at the hospital was moving at a sluggish pace. No one can hardly believe that someone in their mid-twenties is having a heart attack. As time went on the pace picked up and EKG's were done and Travis in the severe pain that he was in was given multiple nitroglycerine tablets to place under his tongue. After a while the pain in his chest was reduced from an 8 or 9 to a 3 or 4 and morphine was deemed necessary as well as a nitroglycerine drip. My heart was racing, as I did whatever I could to keep him more at ease. Hours later he was taken for a stress test, since they needed more confirmation even though they were pretty sure damage was done to his heart.

More tests...finally at 12 pm the next day he was taken in an ambulance to a larger hospital for a angiogram. We were told about the risks of this procedure. The one that was standing out in my mind was death. They anticipated it would take about an hour. After what seemed like the longest 3 hours of my life the cardiologist told me about the blocked vessels and explained how he repaired them. He said that I could see Travis shortly. Another hour passed by, finally I saw a very weak looking Travis in his hospital bed. I see him as such a strong man, yet looking at him in that gown with IV's and wires everywhere...this reminded me of a patient I had observed during my clinicals, not my husband. Before I could even talk to him about how everything went and ask him how he was doing, his eyes were stinging and he was in unbearable pain. I ran to find some hospital staff who determined he might be having an allergic reaction and gave him meds immediately. I tried to talk to him but he didn't respond at all. I completed a medical history form and waited for him to wake up.

That day and especially that night were incredibly long. He was unable to drink on his own, reach the button to call the nurse, or anything else. I am so thankful that I was able to be there with him. It was physically and mentally exhausting to attend to him and notify friends and family of his progress. We received phone calls from so many. Some people left encouraging messages or prayed for us on the voicemail of our cell phone. Others offered me a listening ear in time of need.

It is amazing how God provides. He knows how much we can handle and we are able to stand in His strength despite our human weakness. I pictured myself an emotional wreck, but the Lord carried me through the time that Travis needed me to be strong. He is recovering well from it all, but more tests are being done. He is still in the hospital as the doctors investigate other related factors. I pray for God's wisdom for the doctors and praise the Lord for his faithfulness, grace, and mercy. I thank God for the way that He continues to love and bless His children even in the tough times.

News flash...

12 inches of snow expected by morning in Buffalo.

An answered prayer for a nutritionist

I prayed for a job at a community agency in the field of Nutrition that no one except Travis, not even my internship director, thought I had the qualifications or experience to get. Not only did I land the part-time job, but I have been able to work in a place that needs Jesus like none other. God has blessed me with opportunities to show love and compassion to a population in need. The icing on the cake is that this week they have asked if I will consider going full-time in January. God has answered my prayer above and beyond the desires of my heart.

Living through the storm

The beauty that once was our neighborhood is no longer. The beauty of fall seems to have vanished in the midst of the events surrounding October 12th. There are changing colors, but, sadly, the branches are broken and lie on the ground, though many branches remain attached to the trees that they once inhabitted. The trees have undergone much destruction and it is a wonder if our neighborhoods will ever be restored. The wreckage remains. Some were without electricity for days and others will remain without electricity until Saturday, sources say. Our water supply was deemed unsafe, and boiling has been advised.

We were fortunate enough to regain power 36 hours after the storm. It is amazing what a blessing electricity can be, when such a service ceases one realizes they have taken it for granted. Many in our area have been reaching out to one another. God bless Buffalo and the efforts of the lovely people from Pennsylvania who have been our help in time of need. The Lord has been faithful and protected us through the storm.

What are the reasons that you go to a particular church?

Travis and I went to Michigan for the weekend. We reunited with old friends and went off-roading all day Saturday. The off-roading park was nearly entirely made up of sand dunes and it was a blast impressing Travis with my off-roading "skills." If you were there you know that Test Hill is huge and I took it. Travis even encouraged me to SLOW DOWN. If you know Travis, you know that those words are rarely considered a part of his vocabulary and in a place with little rules regarding one's automotive conduct, I was shocked. Is my husband rubbing off on me? :)

Jordan and Jessica invited us to join them at their church service the next day. We attended Riverview Church, an exciting place to be on Sunday morning with its ultra-contemporary worship service, the vision and aroma of multiple flavored coffees in the foyer, and the hip crowd it drew. If you're interested, http://eriv.net

I had forgotten what it was like to worship with a large group of people, most of whom were younger than age 35. I got the impression that no one tells their bass player or drummer to take it down a notch. It was extremely different from our usual quiet Sunday experience of hymns/praise songs, the doxology, the Lord's prayer, and a service filled with and geared for elderly men and women. The pastor at Riverview appeared on the stage wearing roughed up denim pants, cool kicks, and an American Eagle shirt, with the sort of mic that pop bands use so that their hands will be available to dance up a storm. The message delivered concerned the needs of a man and a woman in a marriage relationship, based on various scripture including Adam and Eve in Old Testament times. He was a dynamic speaker, who never failed to keep my attention. The topic was extremely relevant to our hearts, and, obviously, spoke directly to our current circumstance.

There are few, if any, differences in the doctrine of these two churches. It is quite fascinating that the two experiences can appear so different.

What are the reasons that you go to a particular church? What are the important qualities you look for?