Happy New Year, Gifts for the Kids, a Play Date, and the Longest Doctor Appointment Ever

Happy New Year

How’s your new year going so far? Let me show you how ours started. One of Stacy’s clients had given her a bottle of champagne as a gift for the holidays. We opened it on New Years Day and, well…

 

A kitchen scene with wooden cabinets, a dishwasher, a sink, and a microwave. Several Route 66 signs hang on the walls, each labeled for a different state. Stacy in a pink top stands near the counter, holding up a bottle of champagne as if pointing something out. The countertop is scattered with items including a red mug, boxes, and utensils. A patterned curtain hangs over the window, and a small puddle of water is visible on the floor near the sink. The space feels lived‑in and busy, with a mix of décor and everyday clutter.
Stacy opens a bottle of champagne and….

 

A light‑colored wooden floor with a wide puddle of champagne spread across the surface. The champagne reflects light from a nearby window, creating a glossy sheen on the boards. In the background sits a white appliance, likely part of the kitchen setup, and a red rug or carpet is partially visible along the right edge. The scene suggests a fresh spill or leak on the floor, with the rest of the room dim and quiet.
…it shot out of the bottle like a fountain!!

 

After we popped the cork, champagne shot out of the bottle like a fountain. I think half the bottle wound up all over the floor. Fortunately, there was enough left to pour ourselves each a glass, and toast each of you, James’ fans. It’s been a long, and often rough eight years trying to do the best we can for James. The doctor appointments, the surgeries, the emergency trips to the hospital when he’s having respiratory issues. Wondering what his future holds while sometimes hoping he just makes it through the night.

But if it wasn’t for James’ struggles, we would not have met so many awesome and generous people. Even if we’ve never personally met, if you’ve donated to the medical fund, or for the van in 2014, or if you’ve just left a few kind words on a Fans of James Facebook post, you, too, are awesome. We can’t thank all of you enough for everything you’ve done for us over the years. So, here’s to all of you…Cheers! May your year ahead be a good one.

 

Jeff and Stacy stand together in a kitchen, each holding a glass of a champagne. Behind them are wooden cabinets, a sink, and a countertop with everyday items like a dish rack and containers. Above the window hang two Route 66 signs, adding a nostalgic touch to the space. The moment feels casual and friendly, captured in the warm light of a lived‑in kitchen.
Cheers!

 

Gifts for the Kids

A few years ago, Stacy had an idea. Instead of the adults exchanging gifts for Christmas, we’d collect toys for the kids at our local children’s hospital where, unfortunately, James has become a bit of a regular patient. On January 3rd, Stacy, James, my sister, and her kids stopped by the hospital to drop them off. One of James’ favorite nurses was there, as well as his preschool teacher who volunteers there.

 

A group of adults and children gather in what looks like a care‑facility common room. James in his wheelchair sits at the center of a table covered with toys, books, and games, including a doll, a stuffed bear, a Curious George book, and board games. Two children stand nearby, along with three adults dressed in casual or medical attire, suggesting a mix of caregivers and visitors. Around them are a chair, a toy activity cube, and boxes labeled “Masimo.” The scene feels warm and communal, capturing a moment of support, gifting, or a cheerful visit meant to brighten someone’s day.
Donating gifts to our local children’s hospital

 

James sits in a wheelchair with supportive padding around his neck, wearing a dark jacket. Beside him, a caregiver in a light purple uniform gently holds his hand. They appear to be in a healthcare or rehabilitation facility, with a reception area and medical staff visible behind a glass partition in the background. The moment feels calm, supportive, and grounded in care.
James with his preschool teacher who volunteers at the hospital

 

Play Date

This should tug at your heartstrings a little bit. It did mine. I want to share something that Stacy put on Facebook a few days ago. This is what she wrote, almost word for word. The only edit that I made was replacing the boy’s name with “son”.

“As I lay here trying to wind down from a long day, all I can do is smile. I am so blessed to have such wonderful & amazing friends. One of my friends sent me a message telling me that her son (older & typical) wants to have a play date with James. I asked what does your son have in mind and I quote “he feels bad because he wants to play with James but he doesn’t know how.” So we had a discussion about how he could bring his basketball cards and show them to James and tell him about them, or even Pokemon cards and such. Or he could read a book with him.

I love this!! So her son is coming over Saturday to hang out with James. I will make sure to snap a picture or two. You raised an amazing kid & we are very lucky to have met.”

~ Stacy

He came over yesterday and they watched Cars 3.

 

James and a friend sit in a living room watching a television playing a scene from the animated movie “Cars 3,” with Lightning McQueen and another car on the screen. His friend, wearing a red hoodie, sits upright on the floor facing the TV, while James reclines in a chair nearby. The entertainment center beneath the TV holds toys, a teddy bear, small figurines, and electronic items.
Watching Cars 3

 

This made me feel really good. James obviously can’t ask other kids to hang out so it’s nice that other kids offer to hang out with him. And the fact that the mom didn’t ask her son to go hang out with James and that he took it upon himself to do it makes this that much more special. Like I said earlier in this post, we’ve met a lot of awesome people because of James…kids included.

 

Longest Doctor Appointment Ever

We have reached the halfway point of the seizure drug study that James is in, so on Friday James had to do a video EEG (VEEG), bloodwork and an EKG. The same stuff he had to at the beginning of the study. I don’t remember the first time being so long, though. Seven hours. Seven. We were at the hospital for seven hours. Add in the travel time to and from the hospital and it was a nine-hour day for us. James was a trooper though. He rarely complains…except when they’re taking the EEG leads off of his head. I don’t know if it’s painful when they take them off, or if it’s the strong smell of the stuff they use to take the leads off. Maybe it’s both.

Here’s a picture of him getting the EEG leads put on and then wrapped in gauze to hold all the wires in place. The sunglasses are to protect his eyes from the lights. He doesn’t know how to close his eyes or blink so we have to think that staring at the bright lights in the ceiling have to be hard on his eyes. He also looks pretty cool with the shades on.

 

James sits on a hospital bed wearing sunglasses and a red shirt with a black headphone graphic and the words “ROCK ON.” Gauze rests on his head while gloved medical staff attend to him. On the bed in front of the child is a copy of the book “The 4‑Hour Workweek,” along with white cords and a patterned bag. The room has the clean, clinical look of a medical facility, but James' sunglasses and shirt add a playful, spirited touch to the scene.
Getting ready for the VEEG

 

With the flu epidemic going on, we’re taking bets on which one of us gets sick first. Anybody else want to get in on the action? We’ve all had our flu shots so hopefully none of us will.