Current Events

We've started off 2009 at a furious pace...

• Jenn took Nate & Lewis on their first car ride together to pick up Nanny & Babu (Jenn's parents). Technically, this was before our last post, but worth noting. Both boys did very well in the car.
• Lewis is still having problems handling his feedings - retching either towards the end of the feed or just after. This is the downside of not being able to burp. On Friday, Lewis went to Fairfax Hospital for an abdominal x-ray to make sure there were no obstructions causing the problem. Lewis got the 'all clear'. In the meantime, we're doing what we can to prevent the retching episodes (slowing down the pace of his feedings, making sure he's upright when he eats). When he does have problems, we disconnect the feeding pump and 'vent' his NG tube with an open syringe barrel. Eventually the gas gurgles out. It's no fun for anybody, so hopefully we'll find a solution soon.
• Sometime in the last few days, Lewis caught a cold. He's been all congested and it got a little worse yesterday. We went to urgent care to get a chest x-ray, just to make sure it wasn't pneumonia. All clear again, just a cold. Jenn was sick yesterday too, with a 24 hour stomach thing, so at least going for x-rays gave Lewis and I an amusing way to spend our time while she recovered. Lewis isn't quite himself yet, but we hope he's on the mend. Jenn is feeling much better.
• Lewis started physical/occupational therapy and speech therapy today with his new providers. He was able to relax and did well - he even pooped during the bicycle exercise! Unfortunately, he can't go for speech therapy again until his sniffles clear up, so that's next week's business.

When we aren't taking care of Lewis and Nate, Jenn and I are spending every free minute coordinating Lewis' appointments and care and wading through endless levels of bureaucracy with a variety of different organizations. On the bright side, Nate likes to hold Noodles so much that he will now voluntarily wash his hands without a tantrum. Thank goodness for small victories :)