Moving on up...

We’ve graduated from the PICU to the ward.  We had another good day.  Christopher had a bit of a fussy night but settled right away this morning when they let him breastfeed again.  He did really well and has breastfed the rest of the day.  They took out his feeding tube this afternoon.  Hooray!

He still has one IV line in but they are anticipating taking it out tonight or tomorrow.  And then it’s just a matter of things staying stable so that they can send him home.

We talked to the neurologist who was on today, who again reiterated that he may not have any long-term consequences from the stroke.  We will see in the next two years about motor issues like problems with his arm and leg.  It’s too early to say now that it’s totally fine but it’s encouraging that he is moving the arm and leg well.  As his brain develops, any injury will become more obvious (it’s easier to tell if an arm works properly once he’s doing more than randomly moving it as a one-month-old does.)  Issues with learning and cognition could take years to become obvious but they aren’t anticipating anything major.  And of course, if he ends up with some learning problems down the road, we’ll never know for sure if it was due to the stroke or if he was just made that way.

There seems to be a bit of a difference of opinion about whether he should be referred to physio and occupational therapy immediately or just watched for problems, but Brad and I feel fairly strongly that we want him hooked up with services early so that we can hopefully prevent problems instead of reacting to them later.  We’ll be pursuing therapy for him as soon as we’re discharged. 

All in all, another good day.  All of his regular doctors (who were off over the weekend) were shocked to hear about his stroke this morning.  We have been really touched by their level of concern, not just about Christopher, but about how we are handling things.  We’ve had two days to get used to the idea and are mostly just feeling relieved that he is doing so well, but it’s nice to have such heartfelt support.

I’m back to sleeping over at the hospital so that I can nurse Christopher and be with him all night.  In the ICU, each patient has their own nurse who remains in the room.  On the ward, obviously that’s not possible.  The care is excellent but I prefer to be here with him just in case.  So, we’ll be camping together for a few days.  Here’s hoping for a smooth course and a speedy discharge!

Hanging out with Grandma and Daddy in the ICU this morning.

 

Comments

[Julie Savage]

Yeah for Christopher!! Glad to see there seem to be more and more good days... and obviously, I do agree with you guys concerning the PT and OT... the services are a whole lot more available for kids than for adults, so why not take advantage? It will not harm him in any way, and better to provide him every single opportunity to help him advance as much as he can. Hopefully the next step will be going home!

[Michelle Gross]

So wonderful to hear more encouraging news!

[Joyce Speirs]

Great news......Christopher keep up the hard work!

[Kate Leadbeater]

What a great picture! And such good news. Joe (my partner) and I are sending you all the positive energy we've got. Christopher is so lucky to have such wonderful parents and care givers.

[Farandolae]

Hooray for Mamma Milk! I'm so excited to see this progress. You are an amazing family & I think wr'll all sleep better knowing you are sleeping with your precious son.

[Norma Peart]

Giving thanks everyday for progress. God's on the job

[me.yahoo.com/a/TlAl3gdmre7JcMpEzum6JUjG13CU8g--]

all our prayers, love, positive vibes are with your darling sweet boy. Your courage and love is working... you are amazing parents....

[Trina]

He is fighting, and he has a host of people behind him. I'm sorry for his struggles, but so happy to hear he is progressing now. I hope the recovery is swift. I'm glad you're able to stay with him overnight. I'm sure this puts him at greater ease. It would make me feel better and I'm an adult.