Thursday, June 18, 2009

Not so good Thursday morning.

Today we got a call from the hospital.  Brett took an unexpected turn for the worse last night.  Everything seemed to be going so well.  However, he developed necrotizing enterocolitis.  It is very serious and they are treating him.  We will know more by Saturday evening.  Hopefully the antibiotics and other treatments will work.  If not, it could be fatal.  Please continue to pray for him and his doctors.


Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Everything is going so well.


Gantt above and Brett below
Everything is really going well.   Brett came off all breathing aids much faster than anticipated.  He is still weaning off morphine (will take several more weeks) and he is not showing many signs of withdrawal.  

His G tube fell out on Saturday, so they installed a mic-key button.  The best way to describe it would be like the plastic plug on a beach ball that seals the air in.  You can remove the tube and then put that little plastic plug in place so the stomach is sealed off.  This is great because he would then be able to put a shirt on and nobody would know the difference.  We will need this long term because we anticipate having to feed him through this tube for many years to come.  (mainly supplement feedings during the night -- CF kids have a hard time getting enough calories)

The next step is for him to be able to suck on a bottle.  He is currently getting continuous feeds through the g tube.  Once he can swallow, they will begin giving him enzymes.  The enzymes will allow him to break down his food and keep as much nutrition as possible.  Many CF babies begin taking enzymes as early as 10 days old!  The occupational therapist is working with him so he can breath, suck, and swallow without his heart rate and oxygen saturation dropping.

It still may be 6 more weeks, but it is nice to see him sleep and actually begin to look comfortable.


Gantt is fat and happy!  He is so wonderful to have at home and Mark is taking to him very well.  The other morning I (Rob) was having a hard time comforting Gantt.  Mark asked if he could try so I let him.  Within seconds, Gantt was quiet and Mark had the biggest grin on his face.


Mark began a new hockey class.  It is 1.5 hours long beginning at 8AM on Saturday mornings.  I am so shocked he stays on the ice the whole time without a break.  He is really enjoying himself out there.