Caleb's surgery to deal with some urological problems took place yesterday. We had to check in to the Surgery Center at 8:45 for a 10 AM surgery. Once again, he was a real trooper! He woke up and realized the pain down there, but was easily comforted through snuggling and rocking. He received great care at the Sioux Falls Surgical Center and a good friend of ours was our nurse once we got into recovery, so that was really great for all of us! Of course, Brett knows many of the people there from working there, so he is quite comfortable anyway. Once Caleb was able to pee, we were free to have the IV removed and check out. We left the hospital at about 2:30 in the afternoon. Caleb went home, Brett gave him some ibuprofen, and he went sown until about 6:30. He woke up, the anesthetic was worn off and he was himself again already. He seems to feel the pain more than with the palate surgery, but seems to be doing well, as long as the sore area isn't touched or bumped.
He woke up this morning and was ready to go! He still has tenderness, but has no restrictions other than no swimming for 2 weeks! Just time for the warm weather to come!
His next palate surgery will be scheduled in September or October. We will keep everyone updated.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Recovering Well
We had our follow-up appointment with Dr Hussain on Monday and all looks good! We were given the go ahead to start soft foods! What an excited little boy we had when he saw macaroni and cheese and a hot dog in front of him at the table! He still is to wear the arm braces through Friday and then just at night in order to keep his finger out of his mouth. We will do the second surgery in September or October. It will be the same diet then as well, so that will again be the toughest part.
Caleb is scheduled to have his other surgery on Monday, June 22 for an undescended testicle. We will be doing that at the Surgerical Center and it will be same day. The doctor says he will be running around the next day. It is supposed to be easier than the palate surgery, so since he was running the next day with that, I am confident that he will do the same!
Thank you for your continued support!
Caleb is scheduled to have his other surgery on Monday, June 22 for an undescended testicle. We will be doing that at the Surgerical Center and it will be same day. The doctor says he will be running around the next day. It is supposed to be easier than the palate surgery, so since he was running the next day with that, I am confident that he will do the same!
Thank you for your continued support!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Released!
Sorry for the break in communication, but here is an update on the tough guy!
Brett slept at the hospital both nights, so that I could sleep comfortably at home. When I arrived at the hospital on Saturday morning, my Caleb was back! He was talking and running and playing and I was trying to keep up with the IV pole! He was still getting morphine for the pain, but the anesthetic was all worn off! He was ready to go home, but had 48 hours of IV antibiotics that needed to be run through him. He had a good day and the best medicine was having his brother and sister come to visit and play with him in the toy room. Sunday was more of the same, and Caleb was taking only tylenol and tylenol with codiene intermittently. We finished the IV antibiotics and waited for the doctor. Just when we were convinced that we had one more night, the doctor called and said that we could go home! We were able to leave at about 4:30 in the afternoon! We were all happy to get home! Now the real fun starts, as Caleb is only to eat from a cup for 2 weeks. Clear liquids for week one, thickened liquids for week 2, and start soft foods for week 3. He did not take in much last night, but we were able to get him to drink some warm Jell-O and a little beef broth. This is real hard for him to understand.
This morning, he didn't want the liquids, but finally took some apple juice and most of the Jell-O from lat night. He didn't want it, as it is congealed now, but finally tried it and decided it was "Mmm".
The part that I thought would be the toughest is that he has to wear straight arm braces for 2 and a half weeks, which means no finger in the mouth, plus not being able to bend his arms most of the day. He has done wonderfully with this and when we take the braces off intermittently, he is ready to put them back on, and seems to know that he has to wear them. Much better than I would do with that restriction!
All in all, things are going great and Caleb is doing wonderfully!
The dog and the kids have been at Grandma and Grandpa's and Caleb has been pointing to their pictures today, ready for them to come home!
Thank you for all of your powerful prayers!
Brett slept at the hospital both nights, so that I could sleep comfortably at home. When I arrived at the hospital on Saturday morning, my Caleb was back! He was talking and running and playing and I was trying to keep up with the IV pole! He was still getting morphine for the pain, but the anesthetic was all worn off! He was ready to go home, but had 48 hours of IV antibiotics that needed to be run through him. He had a good day and the best medicine was having his brother and sister come to visit and play with him in the toy room. Sunday was more of the same, and Caleb was taking only tylenol and tylenol with codiene intermittently. We finished the IV antibiotics and waited for the doctor. Just when we were convinced that we had one more night, the doctor called and said that we could go home! We were able to leave at about 4:30 in the afternoon! We were all happy to get home! Now the real fun starts, as Caleb is only to eat from a cup for 2 weeks. Clear liquids for week one, thickened liquids for week 2, and start soft foods for week 3. He did not take in much last night, but we were able to get him to drink some warm Jell-O and a little beef broth. This is real hard for him to understand.
This morning, he didn't want the liquids, but finally took some apple juice and most of the Jell-O from lat night. He didn't want it, as it is congealed now, but finally tried it and decided it was "Mmm".
The part that I thought would be the toughest is that he has to wear straight arm braces for 2 and a half weeks, which means no finger in the mouth, plus not being able to bend his arms most of the day. He has done wonderfully with this and when we take the braces off intermittently, he is ready to put them back on, and seems to know that he has to wear them. Much better than I would do with that restriction!
All in all, things are going great and Caleb is doing wonderfully!
The dog and the kids have been at Grandma and Grandpa's and Caleb has been pointing to their pictures today, ready for them to come home!
Thank you for all of your powerful prayers!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Surgery Number 1
We arrived at the hospital early this morning for Caleb's first surgery. He had PE tubes put into his ears and his palate repair. The great news is that everything went well and he is doing very well! He is a little uncomfortable, but is very consolable and snuggly.
Dr Hussain, who is doing his cleft surgeries, reported that all went well during the surgery, but the hole was larger than he originally thought and so he needs to do the total repair in a series of 3 surgeries. He was able to use the tissue and repair the soft palate today and will repair the hard palate in 3 months. Then in a year, he will reconstruct the upper lip and his nose.
Caleb will have to be on a liquid diet for one week, thicker liquids week 2, and then expanding slowly to other foods. He is not to use a straw, fork, spoon, or anything in his mouth for two and half weeks - everything he eats is to come out of a glass. This will be a little tough for him, as his favorite foods have become all meats.
He has been a little uncomfortable, but is resting really peacefully at the moment. Will update more later. Thank you for all of your prayers!
Dr Hussain, who is doing his cleft surgeries, reported that all went well during the surgery, but the hole was larger than he originally thought and so he needs to do the total repair in a series of 3 surgeries. He was able to use the tissue and repair the soft palate today and will repair the hard palate in 3 months. Then in a year, he will reconstruct the upper lip and his nose.
Caleb will have to be on a liquid diet for one week, thicker liquids week 2, and then expanding slowly to other foods. He is not to use a straw, fork, spoon, or anything in his mouth for two and half weeks - everything he eats is to come out of a glass. This will be a little tough for him, as his favorite foods have become all meats.
He has been a little uncomfortable, but is resting really peacefully at the moment. Will update more later. Thank you for all of your prayers!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Update on Us
It has been a long time since I have updated "what is happening" around here! I am happy to report that everything is going extremely well! Caleb is adjusting quickly and quite well - every day he understands more and we are down to one or none crying episodes a day. It would happen more often the first week and then became less and less frequent. It was usually a misunderstanding of what was happening or what was going to happen, such as one night; I think, he was hungry and just dropped to his knees outside and cried. Once he began that, there was no consoling him, where today he started to cry when we left the Pavillion, and I assured him we were going to eat and then he was fine.
Since the last post, we have been to visit a pediatric urologist and found out that he needs a minor surgery as he has an undescended testicle. It will be a same day procedure and the Dr. says he will be running the next day. We are just to let him know when we want to do that this summer. We will let him recover well from the palate surgery before we do that one.
We also did some speech assessing and he is eligible for speech services, which will began next week. It will be fun to see him progress, especially after the palate is fixed. He has been like a little sponge and just soaks up everything. He has began to point things out to me when we drive. It is so cute! Today he saw cows, and yelled, "Mama, mama, moo." We have been working with words and putting signs together with them, so that he can communicate his needs. As he learns the structure of the day and where things are located, he is doing much better with that also. If he can't get his point across, he just helps himself! I really like that a lot! That has also helped all of us with our frustrations. It is amazing to see him eat now also. In the beginning, he would eat and eat and eat until we stopped him. Now, he eats until he is finished and then will stop, even with food left on the table or on his plate, at times. Another amazing thing is watching him drink. He is able to drink from a cup with very little spilling and is able to swallow many times consecutively! He is just amazing! I'm sure that I have bragged enough for one night. I will post some new pictures also.
Good night and thanks for continuing to follow- I now call it- my journal (which I have never been consistent at, but will update it as often as I can!)
Since the last post, we have been to visit a pediatric urologist and found out that he needs a minor surgery as he has an undescended testicle. It will be a same day procedure and the Dr. says he will be running the next day. We are just to let him know when we want to do that this summer. We will let him recover well from the palate surgery before we do that one.
We also did some speech assessing and he is eligible for speech services, which will began next week. It will be fun to see him progress, especially after the palate is fixed. He has been like a little sponge and just soaks up everything. He has began to point things out to me when we drive. It is so cute! Today he saw cows, and yelled, "Mama, mama, moo." We have been working with words and putting signs together with them, so that he can communicate his needs. As he learns the structure of the day and where things are located, he is doing much better with that also. If he can't get his point across, he just helps himself! I really like that a lot! That has also helped all of us with our frustrations. It is amazing to see him eat now also. In the beginning, he would eat and eat and eat until we stopped him. Now, he eats until he is finished and then will stop, even with food left on the table or on his plate, at times. Another amazing thing is watching him drink. He is able to drink from a cup with very little spilling and is able to swallow many times consecutively! He is just amazing! I'm sure that I have bragged enough for one night. I will post some new pictures also.
Good night and thanks for continuing to follow- I now call it- my journal (which I have never been consistent at, but will update it as often as I can!)
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A new surgery date and additional surgery
We visited the ENT yesterday - yes another Doctor. Caleb did very well as the doctor wanted to check his ears for fluid and do a hearing check. They found a mild hearing loss in both ears and so he will need tubs in both ears to drain the fluid off. We are well versed with this procedure, as Keanan has had tubes put into his ears 3 times thus far. Dr DeSautel will go in and put the tubes into his ears right before Dr. Hussain does the surgery on the palate. We have re-scheduled both surgeries to be done on Friday, May 22.
He and I went to the school yesterday to visit the Early Childhood Speech therapist and then also made our way up to the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist, so we could show off his fine motor skills! With his speech delays, the speech therapist (Pam) would like us to start services right away before surgery and then continue after the surgery. He would need 2 tests (a receptive and expressive speech assessment (PPLS) and a Developmental assessment (BDI-2)). I give the BDI-2, so am hoping that I can just give that one here at home and things will move more quickly for qualifications. A speech therapist would come into the house and serve him through the summer and then after turning 3, he would get to go to school and be served with a small group of 3 year olds. He seems to be understanding a lot of vocabulary (receptively) and also tries to imitate much of what we say. We are working on body parts and adding words and signs as he needs them. He is so easy to work with and loves the attention and the exploration of everything!
He and I went to the school yesterday to visit the Early Childhood Speech therapist and then also made our way up to the Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist, so we could show off his fine motor skills! With his speech delays, the speech therapist (Pam) would like us to start services right away before surgery and then continue after the surgery. He would need 2 tests (a receptive and expressive speech assessment (PPLS) and a Developmental assessment (BDI-2)). I give the BDI-2, so am hoping that I can just give that one here at home and things will move more quickly for qualifications. A speech therapist would come into the house and serve him through the summer and then after turning 3, he would get to go to school and be served with a small group of 3 year olds. He seems to be understanding a lot of vocabulary (receptively) and also tries to imitate much of what we say. We are working on body parts and adding words and signs as he needs them. He is so easy to work with and loves the attention and the exploration of everything!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
Caleb enjoyed coloring eggs for Easter with Keanan and Abby. He also enjoyed an Easter egg hunt last night with friends, but was a little unsure when 2 excited kids pulled him from his bed this AM and expected him to be as excited as they about hunting for baskets and eggs! He enjoyed the toy from his basket and we have discovered that his favorite candies are gummy bears and m&m's (basically chocolate)!
After his shots last week and knowing that he has several Dr appointments this month, we have decided to postpone his surgery on his palate. He seems to be doing really well fitting into the family, and I want him to have his time to feel secure and not like he is constantly being poked and prodded.
We are using some sign language with him and he is picking it up really fast and using it with some prompting. He has communicated with gestures for so long though, that is still his main communication. He can make some of the funniest faces and do some really goofy eye things! Of course the kids laugh and so, why change that?
After church, Grandma and Grandpa came over for lunch (which they brought most of!). We had planned for them to come here, as Brett is on-call. The way things turned out, we could have just as well traveled to Colman, as Brett spent the day at the hospital. We had a nice meal here; and then after Caleb's nap, took the dog for a walk and the kids played on the playground in the park.
The kids are really good for Caleb. He is a "pain" already at times, but then the next second, "he is so cute and funny"; they just can't resist him!
We hope that everyone had a nice Easter holiday and were able to spend time with friends and family!
Jesus Christ has risen indeed! Happy Easter!
After his shots last week and knowing that he has several Dr appointments this month, we have decided to postpone his surgery on his palate. He seems to be doing really well fitting into the family, and I want him to have his time to feel secure and not like he is constantly being poked and prodded.
We are using some sign language with him and he is picking it up really fast and using it with some prompting. He has communicated with gestures for so long though, that is still his main communication. He can make some of the funniest faces and do some really goofy eye things! Of course the kids laugh and so, why change that?
After church, Grandma and Grandpa came over for lunch (which they brought most of!). We had planned for them to come here, as Brett is on-call. The way things turned out, we could have just as well traveled to Colman, as Brett spent the day at the hospital. We had a nice meal here; and then after Caleb's nap, took the dog for a walk and the kids played on the playground in the park.
The kids are really good for Caleb. He is a "pain" already at times, but then the next second, "he is so cute and funny"; they just can't resist him!
We hope that everyone had a nice Easter holiday and were able to spend time with friends and family!
Jesus Christ has risen indeed! Happy Easter!
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