IVs at home

This is what IVs at home look like. In times past we've had to administer the IVs up to 5 times a day. This round is only 3 times a day - every 8 hours. Here is a picture of Brett's Broviac central line (tunneled catheter). I have also added pictures of the other types to my Broviacs, PICCs, and Ports, oh my! page.

The catheter actually comes out of his skin (called the "Site") underneath the circle, which is called a "Bio-patch." It has some extra antibiotic on it to reduce further infection, mostly used while in the hospital.

This round is only one drug, and we administer every 8 hours. I have chosen 7am, 3pm, and 11pm. Basically, we  flush with saline, hook up the medicine, let it run about 30 minutes, then unhook and flush again with saline and heparin. That way we're in bed at 11:30 at the latest and don't have to get up super early, because this round is happening over Christmas Break from school.

The medicine comes in this pressure-filled ball, called an elasti-ball, or elastomeric ball. To me, this is supremely more convenient than the kind that comes in pre-filled syringes that we have to prime and put inside a very heavy pump that runs on "D" batteries. It looks as if it was made in the 70s. In fact, it probably actually was. 

Anyways, this is great because it's very light. We hook it up to Brett's broviac and put it in his backpack, and he just wears it around for the 30 minutes. At night we just lay it beside him in the bed. The backpack is for his g-tube feed, which is still going for 18 hours a day, so he must wear it around 6 waking hours. Don't feel bad for him, though. The backpack is his freedom from an IV pole. 

Student of the Month!

In November, Mark was selected by his 3rd grade teacher to be Student of the Month!

Mark with Mrs. Shelton

Mrs. Shelton chose Mark to be student of the month based on the character trait of Decisiveness. He was recognized publicly at chapel - and it was a surprise to him! He also got to have a special lunch with his principal and other students of the month in November. Below is the essay that Mrs. Shelton wrote about Mark and what she actually read aloud during her presentation that day. I'm not sure I have ever been more proud of my boy that than day!

Decisiveness is a character trait that requires much integrity. To be decisive is to have a heart that purposefully desires to do the will of God. The Bible says in Isaiah 50:7, "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will, and I know that I will not be put to shame." This means no matter what comes your way, you know which path you will walk.

I have one student in my class that has shown "decisiveness" in such a Christ-like manner. He has decided and set in his heart to follow Jesus no matter the hardships or bad days. He has chosen the right path, and I admire him greatly. He is one who does not desire the "glory" or the "recognition" from anyone, but simply desires to have his heart set on God. he has made one such decision which has granted him this award. He chose to befriend another student in his class who is new. He has tried to include this student in every way he could. One day, on the playground, this wonderful student led his friend to Christ and prayed the "sinner's prayer" with him. He made the decision to be a "soul winner" and a witness for God despite any circumstances around him. He didn't do this to get recognition or any attention. He simply made the right choice. I am so very proud of this student. This is extreme love and God and His angels are rejoicing in heaven over another soul saved. This is what life is all about. This is why I am giving the award of the Student of the Month to Mark Reasoner. God's richest blessings on you, Mrs. Shelton."

Mark also got Student of the Month back in first grade for the character trait of "Love." It was a similar situation - befriending and including the "new boy." Here is the link to that post. What Mrs. Shelton couldn't share in chapel is that while Mark had tried to befriend this boy, the boy was actually not very nice to Mark in many ways. Having such a gentle heart/spirit, it's difficult for Mark when people aren't nice to him. But despite that, once he heard the boy say on the playground that he was going to heaven because he was a good boy, Mark did stand up that moment and share the truth, that no one comes to the Father on his own merit, it is only by faith in Jesus Christ, his Son.  I am not sure how "real" the prayer of this boy's heart was, I am supremely proud of Mark for caring enough to help someone get on the right track. I pray Mark will grow in his faith and will keep that gentle spirit he has been blessed with as a child into his teenage and adult years!