Just wanted to keep this blog up to date - since we've been home we've realized just how many people have been reading this blog!
Gabe was released from the hospital last Friday. We were VERY happy to have him home and he's VERY happy to be home.
He still doesn't have his voice back and we don't have a good idea of when it'll be back - guess we'll have to talk to the docs about that some more. We laugh because people are saying enjoy this while you can! I will say that you can communicate an awful lot with a kid without words - it's easy to see how happy he is to be out of that hospital. When he talks, it's a whisper.
He's on a decreasing schedule of steroid to reduce the swelling in his throat and allow his own body to take over that job naturally. We hope and pray that it does. So far so good. His breathing each night is getting better and better. Either Nan or I sleep with him to make sure he's alright.
He's not moving around that much - slow to get up and walk but he will from time to time. He's happy to have you pick him up and take him upstairs to bed. Nap time yesterday was a bit of a battle - so I think we've got an improving kid on our hands - just have to make sure he rests, drinks and eats.
Don't think we'll be back in school soon - one day at a time - I'm hoping he can go back in some capacity next week - but don't want to jinx myself.
Nan and I still want to extend our thanks for all the continued thoughts and prayers, meals, toys, cards and notes. And thanks to our parents and my sister who've both been a huge part of helping us through this.
Pete
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
Coming Home!
Just a quick post to let you all know that Gabe is coming home today! Nancy's folks are down there now picking him up!
Pete
Pete
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Cant breathe? How about another night or two in the hospital?
Nancy's still in the hospital and I haven't been down there since Tuesday. But here's the update from what I know.
Gabe had some trouble breathing in the evening yesterday - similar to the symptoms he had when this whole deal started. The doctors quicly gave him an inhaler type treatment for the throat swelling and lung tightness. They also gave him another dose of the steroid to further attack the swelling. Thankfully he responded very well to that!
Last Sunday, when Gabe and I took that fatefull trip to the ER, he did not respond well to these measures and he was then intubated. So at least we're not going back where we started. But needless to say it scared Nancy and needless to say we're not likely or anxious to leave the hospital. We'd like to have Gabe completely steroid free, pnuemonia free, with great oxygen levels, before leaving the hospital.
My folks have been keeping Nancy and Gabe company - thanks Mom! Thanks Dad! Dad tricked all the doctors in the room yesterday into thinking that he'd lost his front teeth as a part of being intubated and that he wasn't very happy about it - April Fools! Not sure if the doctors appreciated that, I think it was funny for Gabe.
He got a load of cards from the kids in Brynn's class - bet that was fun! Also had a friend named Max visit who gave him a cool watch so that he can watch the time fly before he get's out of there.
He's eating better - walking on his own - doing physical therapy. As long as we can avoid another breathing issue we'll be fine.
That's all for now.
-Pete
Gabe had some trouble breathing in the evening yesterday - similar to the symptoms he had when this whole deal started. The doctors quicly gave him an inhaler type treatment for the throat swelling and lung tightness. They also gave him another dose of the steroid to further attack the swelling. Thankfully he responded very well to that!
Last Sunday, when Gabe and I took that fatefull trip to the ER, he did not respond well to these measures and he was then intubated. So at least we're not going back where we started. But needless to say it scared Nancy and needless to say we're not likely or anxious to leave the hospital. We'd like to have Gabe completely steroid free, pnuemonia free, with great oxygen levels, before leaving the hospital.
My folks have been keeping Nancy and Gabe company - thanks Mom! Thanks Dad! Dad tricked all the doctors in the room yesterday into thinking that he'd lost his front teeth as a part of being intubated and that he wasn't very happy about it - April Fools! Not sure if the doctors appreciated that, I think it was funny for Gabe.
He got a load of cards from the kids in Brynn's class - bet that was fun! Also had a friend named Max visit who gave him a cool watch so that he can watch the time fly before he get's out of there.
He's eating better - walking on his own - doing physical therapy. As long as we can avoid another breathing issue we'll be fine.
That's all for now.
-Pete
Charlie Caps
The hat Gabe is wearing is called a 'Charlie Cap'. It was made by a woman who found this blog through mutual friends. I wanted to share her story because it touched us all to hear it. Cant wait to meet you Janet.
[From an email she wrote me]
I started making "Charlies Caps" after my dad, Charlie, passed from complications to cancer surgery. I needed to keep my mind busy, so I started crocheting and/or knitting like a maniac! Then, I took the original hats I made to our local hospital at Skyridge and donated them to the ICU and cancer treatment center, in my Dad's memory, he would have liked keeping other people warm! He wore a blue knitted ski cap every day for the 3+months he was in the hospital. It kept him warm. He always said that you loose 20% of your body heat through the top of your head. One of the most loving gestures the nurses could do for my Dad was to adjust his hat for him, when they could do little else. That's why I made hats....then Charlie's Caps just grew. I can hardly believe it, but I started keeping count of the hats for fun, and Gabes hat will be in the 9 hundreds!!!!
[From an email she wrote me]
I started making "Charlies Caps" after my dad, Charlie, passed from complications to cancer surgery. I needed to keep my mind busy, so I started crocheting and/or knitting like a maniac! Then, I took the original hats I made to our local hospital at Skyridge and donated them to the ICU and cancer treatment center, in my Dad's memory, he would have liked keeping other people warm! He wore a blue knitted ski cap every day for the 3+months he was in the hospital. It kept him warm. He always said that you loose 20% of your body heat through the top of your head. One of the most loving gestures the nurses could do for my Dad was to adjust his hat for him, when they could do little else. That's why I made hats....then Charlie's Caps just grew. I can hardly believe it, but I started keeping count of the hats for fun, and Gabes hat will be in the 9 hundreds!!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Out of ICU - Maybe home soon!
Just a short summary.
We're still very relieved and very happy to have that tube out. Still riding the wave of that joy.
Gabe is out of ICU and has a very nice room with an XBOX! He's smiling but having trouble sitting up, standing up - it'll take a few days before he can do that on his own - and probably a few weeks before he's feeling normal again. I believe that there are some physical therapists working with him.
He's eating real food, which is a slow process as well. He'll need to prove that he can eat before he can leave.
The pneumonia is still in there but the good news is that his cough is good, the airway is good and the oxygen levels are good. So the doctors, including the ENT are giving him a green light to get outa there very soon - most likely tomorrow!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers - looks like the scary parts are done. Now it's home to get well with mom and Grammy Lou - rest assured they'll make sure that happens.
Pete
We're still very relieved and very happy to have that tube out. Still riding the wave of that joy.
Gabe is out of ICU and has a very nice room with an XBOX! He's smiling but having trouble sitting up, standing up - it'll take a few days before he can do that on his own - and probably a few weeks before he's feeling normal again. I believe that there are some physical therapists working with him.
He's eating real food, which is a slow process as well. He'll need to prove that he can eat before he can leave.
The pneumonia is still in there but the good news is that his cough is good, the airway is good and the oxygen levels are good. So the doctors, including the ENT are giving him a green light to get outa there very soon - most likely tomorrow!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers - looks like the scary parts are done. Now it's home to get well with mom and Grammy Lou - rest assured they'll make sure that happens.
Pete
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Eating Popsicles
Eating some "real" food!
Beautiful morning - we're on our way out of ICU!
Pneumonia is getting better - we'll still need some days of physical therapy and getting up and around - been in bed for a week - legs wobbly. His throat isn't bothering him too much - coughs sound not too painful. Just a whole lot better without that tube!
Nancy wiping off goo from the tape that held the tube in place.
Beautiful morning - we're on our way out of ICU!
Pneumonia is getting better - we'll still need some days of physical therapy and getting up and around - been in bed for a week - legs wobbly. His throat isn't bothering him too much - coughs sound not too painful. Just a whole lot better without that tube!Monday, March 30, 2009
Tube Out - Breathing Fine - Tears of Joy!
About an hour ago the doctor pulled the tube from Gabe's throat - he's breathing fine - smiling - no pain. So wonderful to have something go absolutely fine without a hitch! We were so happy we've been crying tears of joy. Just a huge leap forward after a week of so much challenge - it's huge - emotional. Gabe's smiling, a few whispers - "Hi mom!", Can you talk Gabe "Yes I can". And to see that face without the tube and the tape! And a smile. It's just wonderful to see. I felt the love in my heart for that kid (and for everyone really) just absolutely crush me. I had to leave the room.
Anyways - more details later. We made a HUGE leap today!!!!!!!
Pete
Anyways - more details later. We made a HUGE leap today!!!!!!!
Pete
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Feeding tube #3
Last night we saw a glimpse of a happier Gabe. Beeping noises from the machines where going off driving us all crazy until Gabe, with a little smirk behind the tube taped to his mouth, lifted his finger and started "conducting" to all of the beeps! Then we started watching 'America's Funniest Videos' and had some great laughs (something they don't hear alot of on the PICU floor)! It was awesome to see Gabe smiling and rolling his eyes and trying to make us laugh!
He needed that great energy going into the night because he spent a good hour in the middle of the night being pounded on, coughing, being suctioned and gagging up his feeding tube again. His stomach hurt again this morning because he is so hungry and his stomach has air in it. But we put the feeding tube back in and he is resting now.
When do we get to go home? Who knows! There is the start of an air leak around the tube. This is a good thing because the swelling is going down and we will be able to pull the tube soon. So he is off the steroid to decrease the swelling. The bummer is that the secretions from the pneumonia are still thick and have not changed. They will not pull the tube until the pneumonia is quite a bit more cleared up. Pray that his pneumonia starts to clear up and all the hard work (coughing his brains out!) he is doing will start to pay off!
Gabe listened to all the messages you sent. There were so many that we stopped, but he asked us to read them all! I can't thank you enough! He (we) really feel your love!
I have moments of being overwhelmed by all of this and wonder why this is all happening - especially since Gabe has been through so much in his short, little life - but I was comforted by a short prayer that Sally gave to me yesterday. I share this with you because maybe it could comfort you now or in the future....
Everything is a grace...
Everything is the direct effect of our Father's love,
difficulties, contradictions, humiliations,
all the soul's miseries, her burdens, her needs,
Everything, because through them, she learns humility,
realizes her weakness.
Everything is a grace, because
Everything is God's gift.
Whatever be the character of
life or its unexpected events -
to the heart that loves, all is well.
The spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux
Love from Gabe's bedside! Nancy
He needed that great energy going into the night because he spent a good hour in the middle of the night being pounded on, coughing, being suctioned and gagging up his feeding tube again. His stomach hurt again this morning because he is so hungry and his stomach has air in it. But we put the feeding tube back in and he is resting now.
When do we get to go home? Who knows! There is the start of an air leak around the tube. This is a good thing because the swelling is going down and we will be able to pull the tube soon. So he is off the steroid to decrease the swelling. The bummer is that the secretions from the pneumonia are still thick and have not changed. They will not pull the tube until the pneumonia is quite a bit more cleared up. Pray that his pneumonia starts to clear up and all the hard work (coughing his brains out!) he is doing will start to pay off!
Gabe listened to all the messages you sent. There were so many that we stopped, but he asked us to read them all! I can't thank you enough! He (we) really feel your love!
I have moments of being overwhelmed by all of this and wonder why this is all happening - especially since Gabe has been through so much in his short, little life - but I was comforted by a short prayer that Sally gave to me yesterday. I share this with you because maybe it could comfort you now or in the future....
Everything is a grace...
Everything is the direct effect of our Father's love,
difficulties, contradictions, humiliations,
all the soul's miseries, her burdens, her needs,
Everything, because through them, she learns humility,
realizes her weakness.
Everything is a grace, because
Everything is God's gift.
Whatever be the character of
life or its unexpected events -
to the heart that loves, all is well.
The spirituality of St. Therese of Lisieux
Love from Gabe's bedside! Nancy
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Grammy & Papa!
Grammy and Papa showed up today! More positive vibes!
Speaking of vibes - Gabe got 15 minutes of vibration therapy on his left lung - that's a long time to be working gunk out of your lungs - we've got a TOUGH kid on our hands here.
Thanks also to Tom and Denice for dropping by - too bad Gabe was asleep - we'll let him know you were here!
The doc says we're going to start using a medicine that will 'thin out' the mucus in his chest. She describes it as an enzyme that breaks down the mucus. They'll be giving it to him a little at a time down the throat. So everybody pray that works.
Thanks to Eve and Sally for visiting - thanks for the books and thanks to all the Gillette kids for the cards!
Thanks for all the comments - we read them to him and it's a great inspiration for him.
Speaking of vibes - Gabe got 15 minutes of vibration therapy on his left lung - that's a long time to be working gunk out of your lungs - we've got a TOUGH kid on our hands here.
Thanks also to Tom and Denice for dropping by - too bad Gabe was asleep - we'll let him know you were here!
The doc says we're going to start using a medicine that will 'thin out' the mucus in his chest. She describes it as an enzyme that breaks down the mucus. They'll be giving it to him a little at a time down the throat. So everybody pray that works.
Thanks to Eve and Sally for visiting - thanks for the books and thanks to all the Gillette kids for the cards!
Thanks for all the comments - we read them to him and it's a great inspiration for him.
Good Morning Everyone! It is good so far because Gabe is resting peacefully. Yesterday was hard. But we are hoping that he will have a little more energy today now that the feeding tube has been put back in and he is back to normal with how much they are feeding him. He is still coughing up the secretions in his lungs (a painful workout!). The steriods that are to help with the swelling in his throat still have not kicked in, but we are really hopeful that this is the day that things will really start to turn around! The ENT that re-intubated him here at Children's told us that his windpipe was really! traumatized when he was intubated so it is not surprising that it is taking a while for the swelling to go down!
Yesterday, Gabe just seemed so defeated, tired and in pain (tears showed up a couple times for both of us). But I could see him perk up when Aunt Lauren and Sophi stopped by; when we read messages to him from his buddy Declan and everyone who has posted messages; and when he heard his sister on the phone the other night! So please keep sending your love, prayers, messages and healing wishes his way. It all seems to really strengthen him. Pete and I cannot find the right words to express how utterly blessed and amazed we feel to have all of your care and concern. People we don't even know are praying and blessing Gabe from afar - it is beautiful how connected we all really are!
Grammy and Papa (my folks) are flying in today! Yea! We will all be reinvigorated! I will be posting new positive updates later today! Thanks for following!
Yesterday, Gabe just seemed so defeated, tired and in pain (tears showed up a couple times for both of us). But I could see him perk up when Aunt Lauren and Sophi stopped by; when we read messages to him from his buddy Declan and everyone who has posted messages; and when he heard his sister on the phone the other night! So please keep sending your love, prayers, messages and healing wishes his way. It all seems to really strengthen him. Pete and I cannot find the right words to express how utterly blessed and amazed we feel to have all of your care and concern. People we don't even know are praying and blessing Gabe from afar - it is beautiful how connected we all really are!
Grammy and Papa (my folks) are flying in today! Yea! We will all be reinvigorated! I will be posting new positive updates later today! Thanks for following!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Starting Steroids
Cant believe we're on day 6 in the ICU! I guess the ENT folks cant either - so they've decided to start Gabe on the steroids in an attempt to decrease the swelling in his throat so they can get that tube out.
Gabe's new feeding tube didn't go in as far as they wanted so they taped it a little loose hoping that he'll swallow it to where it needs to go. They gave him some kind of medicine that will help that tube get down through the stomach as well.
While that tube finds it's way they're slowly increasing the food through the tube. Gabe's tummy is hurting - maybe hunger - maybe gas. Nan's rubbing the tummy and Gabe's falling asleep. It's tough to see him uncomfortable - especially after being here so long - he hasn't been able to speak this whole time.
Thanks to Auntie Lauren and Sophie for dropping by today - we had fun watching the Crocodile Hunter on TV.
Nan's folks arrive tomorrow - Gabe will be happy to see them I'm sure.
Watching Kansas play Michigan - Gabe (with Rachal's help) has picked Michigan. Sorry Creightons! At least Gabe picked a good week of sports to be sick.
Gabe's new feeding tube didn't go in as far as they wanted so they taped it a little loose hoping that he'll swallow it to where it needs to go. They gave him some kind of medicine that will help that tube get down through the stomach as well.
While that tube finds it's way they're slowly increasing the food through the tube. Gabe's tummy is hurting - maybe hunger - maybe gas. Nan's rubbing the tummy and Gabe's falling asleep. It's tough to see him uncomfortable - especially after being here so long - he hasn't been able to speak this whole time.
Thanks to Auntie Lauren and Sophie for dropping by today - we had fun watching the Crocodile Hunter on TV.
Nan's folks arrive tomorrow - Gabe will be happy to see them I'm sure.
Watching Kansas play Michigan - Gabe (with Rachal's help) has picked Michigan. Sorry Creightons! At least Gabe picked a good week of sports to be sick.
New Feeding Tube
Gabe just had the new feeding tube put in - farther than the last one, this one is past his stomach. They'll have an XRay soon to double check it's in the right place.
The docs say that not much has changed since yesterday except that his fevers are fewer and lower. But no leak of air around the tube which would indicate a drop in the swelling in his throat.
Just trying to keep him comfortable - really wondering why this is taking so long! Guess we have to be patient.
The docs say that not much has changed since yesterday except that his fevers are fewer and lower. But no leak of air around the tube which would indicate a drop in the swelling in his throat.
Just trying to keep him comfortable - really wondering why this is taking so long! Guess we have to be patient.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
A little trouble
When Gabe woke up about 7PM he threw up a little bit. Luckily the nurse was already there at the bedside and quickly had the suction device in his mouth to make sure none of it went down the airway. He battled with that for about 20 minutes. It was mostly just the white milky stuff that was coming from his feeding tube.
So the feeding tube is out for now apparently Gabe's had enough of that. The attending doctor came in and listened to his chest and reported that he sounded pretty good. They will put another kind of tube in tomorrow that will go all the way through the stomach and into the intestine - apparently they have an X-ray machine that will allow them to see the tube as they are putting it in. All this so that his stomach wont have anything in it to expel like what happened tonight. He's also on some medication to help with the nausea.
We watched Duke lose horribly and then Mizzou win. So we're two for four tonight.
Nancy just got back from taking a shower - promptly fell asleep next to me here in Gabe's room.
I cant believe Gabe has been in this bed for 5 straight days. I'm ready for some great news tomorrow. We hope and pray.
So the feeding tube is out for now apparently Gabe's had enough of that. The attending doctor came in and listened to his chest and reported that he sounded pretty good. They will put another kind of tube in tomorrow that will go all the way through the stomach and into the intestine - apparently they have an X-ray machine that will allow them to see the tube as they are putting it in. All this so that his stomach wont have anything in it to expel like what happened tonight. He's also on some medication to help with the nausea.
We watched Duke lose horribly and then Mizzou win. So we're two for four tonight.
Nancy just got back from taking a shower - promptly fell asleep next to me here in Gabe's room.
I cant believe Gabe has been in this bed for 5 straight days. I'm ready for some great news tomorrow. We hope and pray.
Go UCONN
We're watching the NCAA games - rooting for my folk's alma mater UCONN - Gabe's asleep - snow still falling. Sandra's home safe. Rachal, we had to change his pick from Purdue to UCONN.
Continuing a very quiet afternoon into the evening. Gabe still pretty sleepy.
He has reached up to gently scratch\touch his own face\lips - feeling the tube and the tape all over his face. Wondering what's up and then falling asleep again. Perhaps with the breathing machine set lower, he's doing more work, making him more tired. He knows not to pull on the tube - what a good kid.
UCONN Won!
Continuing a very quiet afternoon into the evening. Gabe still pretty sleepy.
He has reached up to gently scratch\touch his own face\lips - feeling the tube and the tape all over his face. Wondering what's up and then falling asleep again. Perhaps with the breathing machine set lower, he's doing more work, making him more tired. He knows not to pull on the tube - what a good kid.
UCONN Won!
Pretty Quiet Afternoon
Gabe's been very sleepy - not much of a change in behavior. Not coughing as much over the last few hours. There's talk from the nurse and the respiratory therapist about beginning steroids in anticipation of getting that breathing tube out. They'll talk to the ENT docs about it. Put a bug in their ear kind of thing.
We figured out how to use the TV today - watching coverage of the storm. Gabe signaled to the nurse that he'd like to watch Charmed - a show about a bunch of witches like super heros. Then he fell asleep.
So - no news is good news I guess.
Thanks to Sandra who brought us lunch today - although I think she regrets it after all that winter driving!
We figured out how to use the TV today - watching coverage of the storm. Gabe signaled to the nurse that he'd like to watch Charmed - a show about a bunch of witches like super heros. Then he fell asleep.
So - no news is good news I guess.
Thanks to Sandra who brought us lunch today - although I think she regrets it after all that winter driving!
Note about posting
Some folks are saying they're having trouble commenting on posts in the blog. Sorry for the trouble - I'm just playing with the technology - learning about it myself. There's definately some confusion to be had.
Basically, if you're trying to 'comment' on the blog be aware that you may need to have some kind of internet 'identity' or account. Most of you have that through a google account which comes along with a free gmail account. I know that many of you may also have hotmail or msn, unfortunately that login isn't one that blogspot felt like using.
This is just a way of internet assimilation of course. Resistance is futile. Dont worry about commenting - we feel your love. If you want to send a note, feel free to hit me at petemahoney@hotmail.com.
Thanks!
Basically, if you're trying to 'comment' on the blog be aware that you may need to have some kind of internet 'identity' or account. Most of you have that through a google account which comes along with a free gmail account. I know that many of you may also have hotmail or msn, unfortunately that login isn't one that blogspot felt like using.
This is just a way of internet assimilation of course. Resistance is futile. Dont worry about commenting - we feel your love. If you want to send a note, feel free to hit me at petemahoney@hotmail.com.
Thanks!
Day 5 - Snow
The snow is absolutely dumping outside - we are so glad we have a hospitality room here tonight. I slept in that room - Nancy slept in Gabe's room - we both are doing great.
Gabe is doing great too. He coughed alot last night which everyone is glad for. He's getting that stuff out!
This morning he got a bath - had a poop or two - got a change of linens all that stuff.
His Xray shows an improvement in the pnuemonia. That's good. He's also coughing like a champ so with any luck it'll go away soon.
The docs, during the rounds today, told us that they would like to see the pneumonia diminish greatly in addition to seeing the swelling in the throat go down before pulling the breathing tube. So we're hoping for Saturday but docs say that it might be later.
Gabe pointed to his tube this morning and then pointed away - as if to say "take the tube out". We explained that he has to keep it in - that he's doing great and it'll only be a little while longer. Probably about 30 sec into that explanation he fell asleep. Probably a good thing.
Thanks to Lauren for buying dinner and Jamba Juice last night and bringing our clothes. We've got homemade lunch from Sandra Stuart on the way today so looking forward to that!
Gabe is doing great too. He coughed alot last night which everyone is glad for. He's getting that stuff out!
This morning he got a bath - had a poop or two - got a change of linens all that stuff.
His Xray shows an improvement in the pnuemonia. That's good. He's also coughing like a champ so with any luck it'll go away soon.
The docs, during the rounds today, told us that they would like to see the pneumonia diminish greatly in addition to seeing the swelling in the throat go down before pulling the breathing tube. So we're hoping for Saturday but docs say that it might be later.
Gabe pointed to his tube this morning and then pointed away - as if to say "take the tube out". We explained that he has to keep it in - that he's doing great and it'll only be a little while longer. Probably about 30 sec into that explanation he fell asleep. Probably a good thing.
Thanks to Lauren for buying dinner and Jamba Juice last night and bringing our clothes. We've got homemade lunch from Sandra Stuart on the way today so looking forward to that!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Time for Bed
Bad news is that the chest x-ray show that the phuemonia has gotten worse.
Good news is that he's breathing more on his own and has lots of good coughs.
His fever went up and down - they've got plenty of tylonol on tap.
He had a good day - lots of visitors. Rachal read him a book (a couple times) and he loved that. Joni was here. Jean Cavanaugh dropped by - she works here and came accross Gabe's name in the computer system and came to track us down. Lauren came with Alex and Sophie - while they were here, Gabe had some very 'awake' moments. Sophie thinks that this would be better if Gabe were missing school. I was able to tell him a story or two. He's nodding yes and no sometimes. He got a message from Declan. FYI folks, Declan threw up on his bed while on vacation with the fam. That made Gabe happy to hear - that he's not the only sick kid. Thanks for the note Declan.
I think Gabe is just in survival mode - doesn't wake up too much - coughing like a champ - no tears - no fear - just a real survivor. Knows he needs to stay calm, might as well relax.
Nan's falling asleep on the couch and I'm going to retire to the hospitality suite. See ya tomorrow.
Good news is that he's breathing more on his own and has lots of good coughs.
His fever went up and down - they've got plenty of tylonol on tap.
He had a good day - lots of visitors. Rachal read him a book (a couple times) and he loved that. Joni was here. Jean Cavanaugh dropped by - she works here and came accross Gabe's name in the computer system and came to track us down. Lauren came with Alex and Sophie - while they were here, Gabe had some very 'awake' moments. Sophie thinks that this would be better if Gabe were missing school. I was able to tell him a story or two. He's nodding yes and no sometimes. He got a message from Declan. FYI folks, Declan threw up on his bed while on vacation with the fam. That made Gabe happy to hear - that he's not the only sick kid. Thanks for the note Declan.
I think Gabe is just in survival mode - doesn't wake up too much - coughing like a champ - no tears - no fear - just a real survivor. Knows he needs to stay calm, might as well relax.
Nan's falling asleep on the couch and I'm going to retire to the hospitality suite. See ya tomorrow.
Joni Visits
Joni Creighton came to visit and just left. While she was here Gabe had a marathon coughing session. Joni and Nancy and I were the cheerleaders. He's a fighter. He woke up and did some nice eye blinks at us all - no eye movement - still very sedated. He's out again pretty hard after all that.
Nan and I got a hospitatlity room here for tonight and tomorrow - supposed to snow big in the city tomorrow so we'll be good to stay here - off the roads.
They're growing some cultures on his blood from midnight - hope to learn more about what bug is eating at him within a day or two.
The ENT folks say they'll come to see him Friday - they'll look down the throat with a scope we hope - and we hope they'll find the swelling gone.
Just got a report that his fever is creeping up again - not great news - another round of motrin.
Think I'll grab some lunch.
Thanks for the visit Joni!
Pete
Nan and I got a hospitatlity room here for tonight and tomorrow - supposed to snow big in the city tomorrow so we'll be good to stay here - off the roads.
They're growing some cultures on his blood from midnight - hope to learn more about what bug is eating at him within a day or two.
The ENT folks say they'll come to see him Friday - they'll look down the throat with a scope we hope - and we hope they'll find the swelling gone.
Just got a report that his fever is creeping up again - not great news - another round of motrin.
Think I'll grab some lunch.
Thanks for the visit Joni!
Pete
Report from Lauren
Thanks to Lauren who spent some time in the room this morning while Nan and I cought up on some sleep. She wrote the text below but had trouble adding it to the blog so here it is:
Written by Lauren this morning:
Wow, I can't wait until we get through this and can say "remember when...". I am sitting with Gabe right now, he is one tough little cookie. He gave the nurse a thumbs up this morning apparently, though was a little uncomforable so she gave him an extra shot of sleep juice. It's hard to see him so still and sedated, but the nurses say that is the best thing for him right now while the swelling in his throat goes down the the infections heal. Pete and Nanc you guys are hanging in there amazingly, but then, what are ya gonna do right? David the respiratory therapist is here and Lauren the nurse, David is going to suction him. For a gooey dude, he doesn't sound too bad....says David. David is happy about the Irish of the Mahoney name...never know what gets ya special treatment in the hospital! More later as I gotta go look for Pete's hydrate powder in the lounge....how does anyone keep track of anything under this much stress?! Hang in there Pete, Nanc and Gabe ...we love you!
OK, found Pete's stuff, docs just had rounds. Gabe is overall improving, ENT told lead doc that they would reeval on Friday. Chest xray looks worse, which is not uncommon, but means he is not gonna dtch this joint too soon. Can't take out the tube until the secretions from the pneumonia are manageable, in addition to the swelling decreasing.
Written by Lauren this morning:
Wow, I can't wait until we get through this and can say "remember when...". I am sitting with Gabe right now, he is one tough little cookie. He gave the nurse a thumbs up this morning apparently, though was a little uncomforable so she gave him an extra shot of sleep juice. It's hard to see him so still and sedated, but the nurses say that is the best thing for him right now while the swelling in his throat goes down the the infections heal. Pete and Nanc you guys are hanging in there amazingly, but then, what are ya gonna do right? David the respiratory therapist is here and Lauren the nurse, David is going to suction him. For a gooey dude, he doesn't sound too bad....says David. David is happy about the Irish of the Mahoney name...never know what gets ya special treatment in the hospital! More later as I gotta go look for Pete's hydrate powder in the lounge....how does anyone keep track of anything under this much stress?! Hang in there Pete, Nanc and Gabe ...we love you!
OK, found Pete's stuff, docs just had rounds. Gabe is overall improving, ENT told lead doc that they would reeval on Friday. Chest xray looks worse, which is not uncommon, but means he is not gonna dtch this joint too soon. Can't take out the tube until the secretions from the pneumonia are manageable, in addition to the swelling decreasing.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Listening to Enya
It's about 8:30 PM. Gabe has been coughing quite a bit in the last hour. Maybe it's because the breathing machine has been turned down - maybe it's just that the lungs are finally just getting rid of the gunk in there. Good news is, that the nurses have helped him cough through the tube with the suction device and by giving him extra breath with a manual balloon device. And they also put a little saline down the tube to keep it clean and clean out the lungs. After all that work he's all clear and sleeping nicely.
We turned on some Enya on my cell phone and he and Nancy are listening to it. He opened his eyes and looked at Nancy which was a good thing - we've been waiting to see him open his eyes all day. They closed pretty quick but they were open long enough to see that mom was right there.
I dont know if this blog thing will work - thought it would be worth a try - who's reading? Anyone?
The ENT folks came by for about 10 minutes late today. They said that they're going to let Dr Chan know that Gabe's here and do some research to see if they can find out any data about the size of Gabe's airway from previous visits. They were able to pull up the size of the breathing tube used in the last surgery Gabe had here and it was bigger than what he has in right now. The reason the current one is so small is because it was so hard to get anything bigger in there.
FYI they had to take the big tube out on Sunday when he got here and then replace it with a smaller one. They had lots of trouble getting the 2nd one in.
We're off to sleep at Lauren's house. Hopefully Gabe will make it another night without us - he's in great hands here at The Children's Hospital. It is an amazing facility and the nurses and docs are great.
Thanks to Judy for bringing clothes, thanks to Lauren for letting us crash and staying with Gabe today. Thanks to Rachal for staying with Gabe and coming to visit. And thanks to Casey and Oliver for coming to visit and for the stuffed teddy bear. Thanks Bridget for the flowers. Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Didn't think we'd be in this situation but it's great to have all the support.
We turned on some Enya on my cell phone and he and Nancy are listening to it. He opened his eyes and looked at Nancy which was a good thing - we've been waiting to see him open his eyes all day. They closed pretty quick but they were open long enough to see that mom was right there.
I dont know if this blog thing will work - thought it would be worth a try - who's reading? Anyone?
The ENT folks came by for about 10 minutes late today. They said that they're going to let Dr Chan know that Gabe's here and do some research to see if they can find out any data about the size of Gabe's airway from previous visits. They were able to pull up the size of the breathing tube used in the last surgery Gabe had here and it was bigger than what he has in right now. The reason the current one is so small is because it was so hard to get anything bigger in there.
FYI they had to take the big tube out on Sunday when he got here and then replace it with a smaller one. They had lots of trouble getting the 2nd one in.
We're off to sleep at Lauren's house. Hopefully Gabe will make it another night without us - he's in great hands here at The Children's Hospital. It is an amazing facility and the nurses and docs are great.
Thanks to Judy for bringing clothes, thanks to Lauren for letting us crash and staying with Gabe today. Thanks to Rachal for staying with Gabe and coming to visit. And thanks to Casey and Oliver for coming to visit and for the stuffed teddy bear. Thanks Bridget for the flowers. Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. Didn't think we'd be in this situation but it's great to have all the support.
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