Aaand promptly after writing out that title he found the power button to the computer. Yet again, he has been fired as my assistant. We had Riley days Tuesday and Wednesday. I did not plan it that way. I had forgotten about Wednesday's appointment until I got the reminder call Monday and these appointments are scheduled so far in advance I said no biggie, we will do it. Throw in a revival service Tuesday night and we are thankful for a day at home.
Monday was Speech Therapy/Eating appointment. (Different from the services in the home once a week.) We discussed how Bricen is trying but not swallowing much of anything and if he tries to he gags. Also discussed how he wants nothing to do with yogurt anymore. To sum up the visit we are cutting back another feed. Only three feeds on feeding trial days. If you're wondering if this stresses me out the answer is yes. We've always said (she, the therapist has always said) he needs 75% of feeds on trial days to stay hydrated and maintain weight. Now we are going to be giving 50%. And if you throw in there a possible puke...yes, it stresses me out. We are going to give a few ounces of pedialyte once or twice those days to help him stay hydrated. The hope is that it will give him more reason to swallow the food. And as for yogurt she said stop trying. He is at that finger food/independent stage.
That night we went to church. You wanna know what I learned in that service? There is no such thing as a "quiet" toy. The people around us learned that Bricen has a pretty good throwing arm on him and his mom is not all that great at blocking his shots/throws. And lastly I learned that when he wants to he can book it. He was to the piano at the front of the church by the time I caught him. I blame Aunt Karen, I thought she had him. :0) The picture above is Wednesday morning. He gets up, I love on him (sometimes against his will) he gets his bottom changed and then finds Kita to say good morning. And of course, throws the ball.
Pulmonary appointment went very well. No follow up needed!!!!! We discussed the possibility of needing the chin distraction in the future and what to watch for and reasons to contact them again. She said there are some kids that don't have the surgery at birth but by a year or two need the surgery because of blocking the airway or other complications. Or in the teens they need it because of jaw and dental alignment. But she went back and we reviewed the dreaded sleep studies (last one was great in her words) and she assured me that she thinks Bricen will be fine. We will watch for restless sleeping, (more than just a few nights or a week), difference in snoring, shortness of breath with activity etc etc. We will also keep an eye on his pectus excavatum (the way his chest sinks in the middle). It could potentially cause issues if it gets to the point it becomes a pressure against the organs. Does not happen very often. She said she's not even sure there are very many docs at Riley that perform the surgery.
I said it aloud at the appointment and I'll say it again. It was against every nursing fiber in me to let my kid go barefoot on that floor. She told me to go with my Mom instinct and let him be. Funny. My mom instinct said to get him off the floor too.
I mean, if he doesn't want to be a professional athlete I guess he can go into the medical field. His choice, no pressure. :0) It takes special providers to work with children. I'm thankful for Nancy, our pulmonary NP. I'm more thankful to God for hearing my prayers when I ask for him to lead us to providers that will provide the best care for Bricen and listen to me as his mom.
It may not seem like that big of a deal to hear those words "no follow up needed" unless we see a reason. But I wanted to tell the world. Sleep studies were pretty horrible for Bricen and not fun for me either. I can not imagine him going through one now. So very blessed and thankful to God for his mercies and for taking care of my sweet pumpkin when I had done all I could do. From the time he was born and even today God is still working on this little guy. Life is still stressful. Even today Bricen is very gaggy and didn't keep that first feed down. And we are on Day three of a trial. I pray this isn't the start of an illness that we will already be set back on hydration because of the feeding trial. As a result our plans have changed for today. We can't do errands with a pukey little guy. So life is stressful but oh my goodness, it could always, always be worse. And the blessings and God's mercies are always there even when they aren't obvious.
After a busy few days my house was trashed (still is if you're wondering) but I felt a weight lifted and almost that carefree feeling you get on vacation. So we came back from the appointment and decided to just enjoy the day and have some fun. I should mention my nephew Brett went with us to the Dr. He was such an awesome helper. Bricen got upset when they were weighing and measuring him. It's an expected reaction with all his Dr. visits and monthly synagis shots during flu season. Brett was great at getting me whatever I asked for, the puke rag, comfort rag, get the suction out and ready because I'm gonna need it, etc etc. And he is quite the little gentleman. He opens doors, pumps gas for you, pushes the stroller. He is becoming a young man.
What's better than a young man with manners that's not afraid to have some fun with his younger cousin?
I think Aunt Bri needs to get her pool open!
That evening after Marty got home from work we went to the Park.
Brittani and Brett came along. Brilynn is still on vacation with Heeeenry (again, my best immature grade school teasing voice is trying to come out in my typing). See the ball in his hands? He would not put it down for the longest time. Haha
Bricen had a blast. He had his basketball and would walk all the way up to the pole and throw it at the pole.
It was a great day. We have been cleared by cardiology and pulmonary unless we need them. Slowly but surely. One day, maybe not tomorrow but one day we will not have any medical equipment in our house and we will be making arrangements to remove the MicKey button for good. Oh my goodness, can you imagine the blubbering idiot I will be that day? You better believe we will have a party celebration. I think I'll invite everyone I know. Maybe even people I don't know. Hahaha
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