Brandon started physical therapy this week. He also got a new cast on Thursday, it's red. Red as in - STOP - watch out for my foot - Red. He has been watching a lot of movies and playing a lot of Madden. He has gotten baskets full of goodies and a lot of great get well cards from so many people. Thank you so much, it really helps him pass the time and gain back all that weight he lost in the hospital!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Bored
Brandon is bored. Mark owns a ridiculous amount of movies on DVD. Yesterday we took approximately 50 of them over to Brandon. He watched 3 movies yesterday alone!
Roman is pretty good about watching for Brandon's foot. He hasn't hit it yet, but there have been a few close encounters. When everyone yells- "ROMAN! Watch out for Brandon's foot!", he just looks at us like - "DUH! I know." When people come over Roman makes sure to tell them that Brandon is sick- his foot hurts- the blue one. (Brandon's cast is blue.)
Brandon has a general pediatric appointment today, and an appointment with the orthopedic doctor on Thursday. Pretty soon his tutor will be coming over for schoolwork, so I am sure he is looking forward to that!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Today is Easter
Brandon's first full day home was uneventful. Today our family will be celebrating Easter. Chrissy did up the boys' Easter baskets and I am sure Roman will do all the leg work to help Brandon find his!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Update - Friday 8:20pm
Brandon is home and bored all ready. He had dinner and everything. Roman is thrilled Brandon is home but thinks he is all better. His home nurse came for her first visit today.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Update - Thursday 7:25pm
Brandon is doing well. He saw his foot for the first time today when they took off the bandages and he was pretty surprised by all the stitches. The doctors put a cast on his leg. The cast is blue, just like his eyes! He has had a bunch of visitors today. Hopefully we will be visiting him at home by the time the weekend is over!!
Update - Thursday 8:20am
Brandon is doing well this morning. He has been getting some foot cramps lately. I think we are moving closer and closer to discharge. The doctors haven't said anything definitive. However, today his parents will be learning how to administer a shot into his stomach and his PICC line. Brandon will need to be on blood thinners for a while and that shot will go in his stomach, daily. Luckily, the nurses will show his parents how to do this so he can go home.
Tomorrow the dressing/wrap/cast on his leg is due to come off. So everyday he is looking more and more like Brandon- not in a hospital.
I wanted to send a special thanks to Mike G. for fixing Brandon's laptop. Now that he is fully functional he has been looking on the blog a lot and reading your comments on his own.
Hi Brandon!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Update - Wednesday 8:50pm
Brandon was all about playing games this evening. It was really fun. He was cracking jokes and laughing. It was a great thing to see.
He also ate some more today. He has some cereal and granola bars. He is completely off of all iv's. In fact, the only thing he has left is the PICC line.
Roman came up to see Brandon again tonight. He asked Brandon if his foot still hurt. It was cute.
Update - Wednesday 2:25pm
In order to keep some privacy for Brandon I have not been posting pictures of him in the hospital. However, I received special permission from him for this one. It's a little blurry because it was taken with a phone, but you get the idea. He is sitting in a wheelchair, wheeling himself around the hospital!! And, he is smiling!
Update - Wednesday 9:10am
Brandon texted me his own update this morning! He said not much happened last night. He is feeling "ok" right now.
In related news. Last night was the first night that Roman slept at home with his parents since this whole thing started. He was surprised Brandon wasn't home though to be there with the 3 of them. He told his Mom and Dad that they can't leave Brandon at the hospital by himself and that they have to go see him. Chrissy assured him Brandon wasn't by himself. Little brother is being protective. I thought that was sweet and I know Brandon is going to love hearing that too.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Update - Tuesday 6:10pm
Brandon had some actual food. It was hospital food, so does that count? Goulash, carrots, apples and milk. He maybe ate 4 tablespoons. Now his stomach hurts. It is probably a shock to his stomach. He hasn't been able to eat food since he was admitted 12 days ago. Even the 4 days before he came into the hospital he didn't eat much. So his stomach is wondering how to process this. I am sure this will be easier as he gets to eat more of the foods he loves.
Update - Tuesday 4:50pm
Brandon actually moved to the 7th floor, not the 10th. But he is all settled in now.
Update - Tuesday 3:00pm
Brandon will be getting a new view in the next couple of hours. He is moving up to the 10th floor.
Update - Tuesday 2:10pm
Chrissy just texted me a picture of Brandon sitting up in a chair! You can't hold this kid down!
Update - Tuesday 9:15am
Brandon might be able to eat actual food today. Something besides 2 tablespoons of apple juice or a popsicle. Yesterday he said he doesn't even want to eat. It has been 12 days since he had to chew!
More good news - the doctor said he might make it out of the PICU today and be moved to the adolescent floor. If not today than definitely tomorrow!
Update - Tuesday 8:25am
Brandon had some lines removed this morning and I am sure that will make him MUCH happier. His goal for today: to get out of bed and sit in a chair. I will let you know once that has been accomplished.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Update - Monday 6:25pm
Brandon's surgery went well. They closed the last incision.
They are looking for him to start sitting in a chair and trying to use crutches this week.
He will not be able to put any weight on his foot for about 3 months. Then it will only be gradual. The bone in his heal has lost the blood supply so they think it could take anywhere from 12 to 24 months for him to get full blood supply back to his heel bone.
Update - Monday 11:10am
Brandon is pretty anxious about today's surgery. Chrissy told him it would be the easietst one yet and he told her he's never had surgery before! I guess that "forgetful drug" worked.
Update - Monday 10:45am
The anaesthesiologist just met with Brandon. They may be using a LMA (Laryngeal Mask Airway) instead of intubating him. They feel it is less invasive and since his throat is still pretty raw from the last time, they are looking into it. Nothing has been determined yet.
It looks as if we are still on for 3pm.
Update - Monday 8:10am
Brandon's surgery is scheduled for today at 3pm. If everything goes well there have been indications that he will move out of the PICU and onto the adolescent floor on Wednesday.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Update - Sunday 6:00pm
Brandon is feeling pretty nauseous right now. They did give him something to help him feel better. Hopefully that will kick in soon. He got to see quite a bit of family today. He was super excited to see Roman.
Update - Sunday 11:30am
Brandon's sugar was high yesterday. He received a shot of insulin and it seemed to do the trick. He now has to have his finger pricked every 2 hours. The last two readings were acceptable so he didn't need insulin.
We had a visit from the Easter Bunny. He dropped off a little stuffed animal and a coloring book. Brandon kind of rolled his eyes at first, but then he felt the bunny. It is so soft. I took this picture of the bunny before I stripped his shirt off. As you can see, he is sitting on my laptop as I wrote this very post. Brandon has been laying with it on him just so he can feel it. It is so sweet. 
Update - Sunday 10:20am
Brandon woke up about 10 minutes ago. He even took a phone call from his friend, Jimmy. Now he is playing his PSP. Today he has played with it 2 times in about 5 minute increments. He gets too tired after a bit. He is completely off of any oxygen. He is breathing normal air and his oxygen is good.
Update - Sunday 9:15am
Brandon is sleeping right now. Right before he fell asleep he was telling me how he hates being in here and he just wants to go home. He felt bad it was Easter. I told him it didn't matter- we aren't celebrating Easter without him. We will celebrate it after he gets released from the hospital.
Happy Easter
Brandon didn't have to have an x-ray this morning. The doctors feel his lungs are really improving. In fact, the attending was just in and said that he thinks his lungs are almost completely clear.
Brandon is so brave. When the nurse asks him if he wants some morphine he declines in favor of Tylenol. He knows that the morphine can make him a little loopy and that it isn't that good for him to keep taking it. He is amazing!
He is really looking forward today to seeing his little brother. Roman should be coming up around noon. Brandon can't wait.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Update - Saturday 8:35pm
Brandon is going through some withdrawl from the drugs that they used to sedate him. He is pretty anxious. He hasn't lost his sense of humor though. He is even making fun of himself. Today Brandon has also had the tv on. This is the first time since he has been in here that he has wanted it on. Another milestone, he had about 2 tablespoons of apple juice and almost a whole popsicle.
His fever is normal. His left hand is now free of any iv's. (He pulled the last one out.) They re-did it in his right hand. Good news is that he is left handed. He is still in pain, but not nearly as bad as it was before his surgery. He appears to have turned a corner. Even though there are probably a lot of corners ahead of him - I LOVE this corner!
Update - Saturday 3:25pm
Brandon has been in the PICU now for 9 days. At this moment he is sleeping. He has been pretty out of it today. A lot of funny talking.
Update - Saturday 9:00am
Last night was uneventful. Brandon is awake this morning but pretty out of it.
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