Hospitalization #14-Day 4

Going home today! Brett is looking and feeling much better now. 

We are all ready to be home together again. We really feel as though getting him in now was the right decision to stay on top of his health and lung disease. Also, we hope that addressing his lung infection will help him to begin gaining weight again. While here at the hospital we advanced the feeds to a higher rate with a higher calorie per ounce. He has been doing well with this combination so far, just in the past few days. He has gained a whole pound!! Looking forward to a merry Christmas full of appreciation for being together with family!

Hospitalization #14 - Day 3

Brett continues to do well on his IV antibiotics. We are also trying to advance his feeds so that he can hopefully gain some weight! It's such a blessing to not be on contact or droplet precautions! Brothers got to visit and we had such fun!

Brett may not care for his bed too much, but the brothers thought it was great!...until Mark started adjusting the bed by pushing the buttons and then Gantt got a little freaked out and started crying.

All the boys got to visit the playroom together...

Here's an "Action shot" of Mark shooting the basketball

You really just never know how children perceive events - and I'm sure it depends a lot upon the perspective and example of the parents. Some of the times I've thought of as "bad" or "unfortunate" have turned out to be the things Mark has cherished most. For example, he wrote at school that his favorite Thanksgiving was the one we spent at the hospital. And one of his favorite memories is decorating Brett's hospital room for Christmas and painting his windows. Mark was actually disappointed we got to come home for Christmas last year since he had done so much work decorating! So be good parents wherever you find yourself - it's the relationships that matter much more than locations and circumstances. Merry Christmas!

Hospitalization #14 -Day 2 FaceTime!

When we are away from each other, whether when traveling or in the hospital, we rely on technology to keep our family connected.

Gantt was already asleep when we did this FaceTime, but you can see me and Brett in the corner (along with me taking a photo of it with my phone!) and of course  Mark and Rob filling the screen. This keeps Mark a little more engaged than a regular phone call, and for children, actually seeing each other in real time and being able to interact is awesome. Brett and Gantt actually act like they are "punching" the camera and Mark does a "dive" on the other end, just like they play at home. We do this as many nights as we can. It's great fun!

14th Hospitalization - Day 1

Brett on Versed--the "I don't care" medicine. Given right before he went back to surgery...

Also, I want to call your attention to a page I created and added today to explain better about the various central venous catheters for anyone wants to know more about the ones I reference. It's located on the right sidebar, and it's called Broviacs, PICCs and Ports, Oh My!

5th Broviac Placement Day and 14th Admission

Brett had surgery today to place a Broviac central venous catheter. All went well with the anesthesia and the procedure. As I am writing this he is sleeping off the anesthesia and we are waiting on a bed to become available. His bronchoscopy cultures from last week only grew staph, so he will soon start the appropriate IV antibiotic. We will start treatment here at the hospital then finish the course at home. After treatment he will return for the Broviac to be removed. This will probably happen after the new year.

Brett sleeping off the meds

Getting his post-placement x-ray. Doesn't he look so small in the bed!