Done with the Dex!

Its Sunday and we are done with this round of Dexamethazone. Yeah for us! Grant actually did a lot better this time as we gave the Dex in combination with some other meds to try to keep his moods under control! We are hopeful that this combination will continue to work for Grant and that we have overcome the curse of the Dex!!!

Grant will try school again tomorrow. His ANC was up to 1.2 last week, so he should be OK to be around other kids! We are nervous about cold and flu season, but what do you do?

We are all looking for to a quiet week. Jacob has a dentist appointment in Greenville on Thursday, but that is our only scheduled Dr. appointment. I think that we may set a new record - only one visit for a whole week! What will I do with my time? Maybe 20 loads of laundry.......

So, goodnight to one and all. I will post again soon!

In loving memory of Dr. John Knelson

Our family pediatrician passed away last night. Dr. Knelson was diagnosed with throat and esophageal cancer shortly after he diagnosed Grant last spring. He fought a valiant fight and will be sorely missed. Grant referred to Dr. K as "his favorite".

The following is the front page article from today's Carteret County News Times.

Pediatrician remembered for loving care of children

Pediatrician Dr. John Knelson checks a patient, Zachary Masiak of Newport , in February 2005. Dr. Knelson, 73, died Thursday. (Cheryl Burke photo)

by Cheryl Burke

NEWS-TIMES

MOREHEAD CITY — “His profession, love and hobby was working with kids. He was so dedicated to them and that was his fulfillment. He was so compassionate and made sure that medical care was available to everybody,” said Dr. Stanley Rule, Morehead City pediatrician, of Dr. John Knelson, a popular Morehead City pediatrician who died Thursday evening from cancer at age 73.

“His legacy will not only be the practice he leaves behind, but the part of himself that he instilled in all of us that we will impart to others as we practice medicine.”

Dr. Knelson, or “Dr. K,” as he was affectionately known by his colleagues, employees and thousands of children and parents, moved to Morehead City in 1978 and was the first pediatrician in Carteret County . He later founded Carteret Clinic for Adolescents and Children in Morehead City , which will continue to serve patients.

His impact on the county’s medical community is such that many medical practices, including Carteret General Hospital and those in Medical Park , are flying their flags at half-staff today in honor of the beloved pediatrician.

“He was the very top citizen in Carteret County ,” said Leonard Safrit, owner of Safrit Building Supply in Beaufort who met Dr. Knelson when he took his children to him. “He was civic minded and spiritually minded. He went to such great lengths to look after all of our children.”

While his life was dedicated to helping children, he was also known for his deep faith in God, according to those who were close to him.

“He was a man of great faith and was my spiritual mentor,” said Laurie Partusch-Whitt, who has served as office manager for Dr. Knelson for 15 years. “That’s my biggest blessing and most precious memory I will carry.”

Ms. Partusch-Whitt said his employees, most who have stayed with him for years, referred to him as “Papa Bear.”

“We had a sign made for his parking space that says ‘Papa Bear parking.’ Since he’s been sick, no one parks in that space.”

Ms. Partusch-Whitt said Dr. Knelson continued to come to work even after he was diagnosed with cancer last year, and finally quit coming in October when he was unable to do so.

“But he never retired,” she said, “He would never want to be referred to as retired.”

His passion and compassion for children took him into many arenas of life, according to Dr. Rule, who not only practiced with Dr. Knelson for many years but was also his student when Dr. Knelson taught as a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

“He did a lot of research on lead pollution and how it affected children when he worked for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),” said Dr. Rule. “He was one of the first people to do that.”

While living in the Research-Triangle area years ago, Dr. Knelson was chief of the Clinical Studies Branch, EPA, as well as director of the Human Studies Laboratory. He went on to become a senior research official with the Office of Research and Development, EPA, Research Triangle Park .

But his love for children was a magnet that drew him back to family practice.

“He came to realize he missed seeing the kids, so he came back to his first love,” said Dr. Rule.

Dr. Knelson’s love for children also lead him to start Carteret Academy, a Christian-based private school that served middle school children from September 1995 to July 2003.

“He had a special place in his heart for any age child,” said Vicky Bishop, who served as headmaster of Carteret Academy and now serves as principal of Gramercy Christian School in Newport. “He will certainly be missed.”

Dr. Knelson also helped start Project Graduation, which is a drug- and alcohol-free party that has been offered to county graduates following commencement exercises for several years.

His love for children and God carried him onto the mission field in Rwanda. He and his wife Brenda served as medical missionaries to Rwanda in 2001, 2003 and 2004.

The Rev. John Grayson, assistant rector of All Saints Anglican Church in Morehead City, which Dr. Knelson helped found, said, “He has certainly been an inspiration not only as a good medical doctor, but as a Godly man in the community. He was not only a great teacher, but a great learner. I learned a whole lot from him and I will probably miss him as much as anybody in this community.”

But of all those who will be impacted by Dr. Knelson’s passing, it’s probably the children who will miss him most.

“Last night we had junior choir practice at the church, and one of the boys said, ‘We need to pray for Dr. Knelson,’” said Pat Davis, administrative assistant and junior choir director at All Saints Church. “That was yesterday evening, and we were probably praying about the time he passed.”

His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Grayson officiating. Burial is at 1 p.m. Monday at Ashley Heights Baptist Church Cemetery of Ashley Heights in Hoke County.

My baby is 3!

Today is Jacob Kent's 3rd birthday! He is very excited to have his family and friends over for Spiderman cake this evening. When Kevin asked him what he wanted for his birthday, his response was a "cheese sandwich"! Good enough! Maybe he'll like the bike.... If not, a cheese sandwich is never more than a few minutes away!

Charlie James has just arrived home from the hospital. We are all at Grandma's having spaghetti for lunch. Charlie is having a good rest in Pa's lap. Life is good.... We are very blessed!

New Pictures!

Aly Dart Photography did a very special in-hospital photo session yesterday! Enjoy!

Charlie James Morris!

Charlie made a very grand entrance this morning at 12:30 am. Joella was scheduled to be induced today, but started having contractions last night around 9:00 pm. She was already dilated to 6 cm when she arrived at the hospital, and Charlie decided that once the clock struck midnight and it was actually our Aunt El's birthday that he would come join our family.

Charlie looks a lot like his mom. He has a head full of dark hair, is 21 inches long, and weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs. 12 oz! She knew he was a big boy!

Joella Dee is named after our Aunt Ella Dee. Aunt El passed away due injuries sustained in a car accident three Christmases ago. She was very fond of her babies, to say the least, and loved to rock and "dink" all of her grandkids, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews! We have been joking all along that Aunt El wouldn't let this baby go until her birthday! So, we talked all day yesterday about how she and Grandma and Uncle Mike and his Charlie were having one last day laying lots of kisses on our new little man!

So - Charlie James Morris is here! Happy Birthday Aunt El!

Penguins!

So - I still haven't downloaded my pictures, but Grant's teaher, Ms. Vicky has posted some great pictures from penguin day! Enjoy! I just love the one where he is in the background posing!

FYI - still no Morris baby! Induction is scheduled for Friday!

Frustrated!

I just wrote a huge entry and lost it! I think I'll go cry.....

I will post again later after I have recovered!

The gist of it.....

Grant is good - likes school - is dressed up like a penguin today!

Jake is wild - has 3 cavities!

Eden loves to go home with girlfriends - hangs out with Pa a lot!

No Morris baby yet! Charlie James is due today and we are ready for him to join this crazy family!

OK - much less eloquent than before, but basically the same!

I think I'll go drink a Mt. Dew!

Playing the waiting game!

Hi!

Just updating to let everyone know that we are still waiting for a Morris baby! Joella is due today - and we are all growing very anxious for the arrival of baby Charlie James Morris, none more anxious than the mom-to-be! Joella has very big babies - and is a tiny, little person - so everyday poses the challenge of several more ounces being added to the weight of this little fella!

I will update as soon as anything happens!

In other news, Grant has been having a great time at school. He has stayed for the entire school day every day since school resumed last Thursday! Yeah for me!

Jake and I have had a great time hanging out and getting stuff done around the house. We even made a trip to Greenville to see the Pediatric Dentist! Even more fun..... Jake was a good boy and only has a couple of cavities - so we get to go back again soon!

Today was penguin day in Kindergarten, so Grant has gone to school dressed in full penguin attire! All of the other kids just went for black and white, but that was not sufficient for Grant. He was looking very cute! I will post a picture as soon as I find the cable for my camera!

Eden has spent the week being a social animal! She tries to find a different friend to go home with every day. I'm beginning to think she doesn't like our house! She is planning on a weekend of quality "Pa" time this weekend. She loves to hang out with Pa, and he enjoys having a constant companion. They are busy training Maggie, Pa's new boxer, these days. She can roll and sit and shake and do bunches of cool tricks! I wish they could try their training techniques out on Jacob!

That's about all for this morning! I'm going to try to find the floor in the boy's bedroom!