tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21775510326539754172024-03-05T05:43:48.556-05:00Army of Four -- We Added One More!!It's a crazy life being a stay-at-home mommy to a toddler and a new baby! The hours are long, but the memories are priceless and I get paid in kisses!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-48798981926566245622010-07-25T23:58:00.002-04:002010-07-26T00:02:11.346-04:00Long overdue update!!Wow! Where has the time gone? Has it really been SEVEN months since I've last updated everyone? I guess I have had some good excuses!! Our biggest news - AIDAN IS OFFICIALLY A BIG BROTHER!! Baby Kade Alexander was born on April 14th, 2010! Aidan is absolutely in love with his brother and baby Kade has been so wonderful for him in return. We see Aidan moving more to watch his brother and smiling more often when he hears him or sees him near. Watching my two sons interact together just melts my heart!! I am one PROUD momma!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBllsBxfKuknY-OjRpqQ29LeegsmwFwXIdaBIbWrTHaKY_6tWTqeqkjDyoVQgVKcbI3gb03lWtHr2QExfL68-9QxveH3RtZLnBD6OIJsWtAoVpw5_mf3J8TspBgQwrZ8_x0YeE1aQLtpQn/s1600/DSC03133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBllsBxfKuknY-OjRpqQ29LeegsmwFwXIdaBIbWrTHaKY_6tWTqeqkjDyoVQgVKcbI3gb03lWtHr2QExfL68-9QxveH3RtZLnBD6OIJsWtAoVpw5_mf3J8TspBgQwrZ8_x0YeE1aQLtpQn/s400/DSC03133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498059783705439426" /></a>(In Kade's defense, he is a VERY happy baby, nothing like this picture of him crying! I promise to add a few more pictures soon of both boys!)<br /><br />Another major change in our lives, we have found a new nurse. Her name is Miss Cathy. She has been such a blessing to our lives! She works hard with Aidan doing stretching, therapy and just being there to give hugs and kisses. We are so grateful to have her in our lives. I know Aidan just adores her!! <br /><br />Aidan has grown since I've updated last (obviously!). He is now up to:<br /><br />26lbs 8oz<br />35" long<br /><br />Since Aidan got his trach in September he has become much more rigid, so recently we have started him on baclofen, a muscle relaxer. It has really helped loosed Aidan's tightness in his arms and legs and is allowing him to do things again that were physically impossible for him in the past - like putting his fingers to his mouth!! YAY AIDAN!!<br /><br />Aidan had been relatively healthy this year, in fact his last hospital stay was in January of this year. However, on Wednesday, that all changed. Aidan was at home with his nurse while Kip and I were out for a couple hours and we got a text from her saying, "call me." We got home and realized he was retching, so I vented his g-tube (his way of throwing up) and it was pure blood. So off to the ER we went. After tests and bloodwork galore, we found out Aidan's stomach fundoplacation (or nissen) has come undone. <br /><br />We were hoping to have surgery on Friday to fix it, but they got extremely swamped with traumas and were pushed back to Monday. Well as of right now (11:45pm on Sunday), we are not on the surgery schedule, but are being told not to worry. They always work in admitted patients. I say I'll believe it when I see it. Why were we pushed to Monday and not Saturday or Sunday you ask? Well the hospital feels that this is not an emergency surgery. And I agree, however, my little man hasn't had anything to eat since he came off his continuous overnight feed at 8:30 Wednesday morning! (The nissen keeps Aidan from throwing up and aspirating anything into his lungs!). <br /><br />We would really appreciate your prayers as we await surgery for out little man! Aidan just can't seem to get a break, but ALWAYS handles everything that is thrown at him with a smile. He is such an inspiration to me!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-2781874120849601882009-12-18T13:45:00.002-05:002009-12-18T13:46:50.128-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqJhcTefSvNfR-mywRdxBkAGkp2AmViubF1kB0hOr92GzZDdHhZ7p6nQhZcw27Nah3JRABiykaypJYkjk8HOjIO2sbX3pr70J0_Br0l_q1bvbAEGuxVNnmTJFaMS6NmPkFdt9n4-_2ir9/s1600-h/Sleeping+peacefully.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqJhcTefSvNfR-mywRdxBkAGkp2AmViubF1kB0hOr92GzZDdHhZ7p6nQhZcw27Nah3JRABiykaypJYkjk8HOjIO2sbX3pr70J0_Br0l_q1bvbAEGuxVNnmTJFaMS6NmPkFdt9n4-_2ir9/s400/Sleeping+peacefully.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416649406066574722" /></a><br />So we're in the hospital (day #2) with our little man, who's 2 week viral infection has turned into pneumonia. He's on IV antibiotics and breathing treatments, so he's starting to feel better. He's just not Aidan yet. VERY tired, yet won't sleep, just stares at the tv and/or toys. Please give a little prayer (or 2 or 4) for my little man that he starts feeling better and we can go home and celebrate Christmas!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-42739063558251546502009-11-25T15:22:00.002-05:002009-11-25T15:25:37.711-05:00ThankfulI am so thankful for this little boy and his daddy who loves us so!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq4KDiDtSFCNJch-0IcAawgdaYxJ5hjW-ph7EOLCIHTcS442w1JtoSVWvza3113c8oMuq6NDhT-zuteKdqoXA2zJpjSKQuIjJ0TYG327JATk1fzifmT-EOAM9-03xMJzpu-TLGSMHcjwO/s1600/In+Car.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtq4KDiDtSFCNJch-0IcAawgdaYxJ5hjW-ph7EOLCIHTcS442w1JtoSVWvza3113c8oMuq6NDhT-zuteKdqoXA2zJpjSKQuIjJ0TYG327JATk1fzifmT-EOAM9-03xMJzpu-TLGSMHcjwO/s400/In+Car.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408139988045327954" /></a>Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-10080162431772636552009-11-15T19:58:00.003-05:002009-11-15T20:05:17.309-05:00Happy Time and Sad FacesWe had a great weekend. Lots of family time and Kip and I actually got the chance to go out by ourselves! I think my exact words to Kip while in the car were, "So when I get to the restaurant, I don't have to get the kid, and all his bags and the stroller?!?!?!?" Now, I do love my baby, more than anything, but I soooooo enjoyed just walking in to a restaurant and having a conversation with my husband. <br /><br />Kip left today for a training camp in western KY for the week. It was a sad day, full of tears for us all. Aidan cried crocodile tears when Kip picked and said "Bye, Putter. Be a good boy for Momma and I'll see you soon!" He cried for a good half an hour after Kip left too!! And yes, Momma cried too, then the new baby got all upset - no one likes it very much when Kip leaves. <br /><br />Have a good week, Kip! Aidan, the baby and I can't wait to see you this weekend!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-77419810515217512432009-11-10T23:12:00.002-05:002009-11-10T23:20:17.336-05:00Amazing!Aidan had an AMAZING day today! He woke up in a great mood. I let him play a little in his bed before getting up for the day, then we relaxed and watched some Spongebob (of course!). Aidan had a therapy appointment this morning and just blew me away!! He let his OT stretch his foot, arms and hands without so much as a wimper. We worked with his speaking valve for a while. Instead of getting maybe a minute, he let it on for over 6 minutes!! Then we had some tummy time - my boy lifted his head the ENTIRE time!! I was speechless!! <br /><br />Once Kip got home tonight, I wanted to show off Aidan's new talents. So we played on the floor for a while and again, Aidan was looking up at his toys the entire time!! Then we sat him in his chair and he was so happy watching TV and playing, I had to take his picture. Sorry for the bad quality, I used my phone not the camera.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHkJXrsfv4kcnBfDS2SD1Ol5GPE9JG-BuMo8vla8Qfn7l7GXWJbowz6gZHEUFQ2PqNUtyX84E-w6C7CyUYNASFyI9A5Qj_6qjJdk7NVaklet2Y7bd5wk0kFaDprTYL7kkfRp9G_u2uDJ6/s1600-h/Playing+11.10.09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHkJXrsfv4kcnBfDS2SD1Ol5GPE9JG-BuMo8vla8Qfn7l7GXWJbowz6gZHEUFQ2PqNUtyX84E-w6C7CyUYNASFyI9A5Qj_6qjJdk7NVaklet2Y7bd5wk0kFaDprTYL7kkfRp9G_u2uDJ6/s400/Playing+11.10.09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402696007532640210" /></a>Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-27501558360624518952009-11-09T20:33:00.002-05:002009-11-09T20:50:00.621-05:00Aidan UpdateWe met with Aidan's nutritionist today. Aidan is doing really well with his feeds, so much in fact we were actually able to stop his antacid! He has also regained all of the weight he lost while he was in the hospital. Here are his stats:<br /><br />22lbs 4oz<br />33" long<br /><br />Way to go Aidan!! Still under the growth chart, but gaining steadily on what we like to call "Aidan's curve." <br /><br />Aidan also had an appointment with the spine doctor last week. Unfortunately, Aidan's curve has gotten worse, he was scanned at 61%. The good news is that it is NOT affecting any of his organs or hindering his breathing. The doctor said that while he will definitely need surgery one day (they normally like to wait until 12 or so for the last growth spurt), we have 3 options. One is to do nothing and watch him. Two is to brace him and watch him. Three is to do surgery. After major discussion, the doctor told us he WOULD do the surgery, however Aidan really doesn't have enough meat on his bones to do well with recovery. And we're just not ready for Aidan to have yet another surgery, so we decided to get a new, bigger back brace and see how it works. <br /><br />Aidan has been making big progress in the head control area. He now will lift his head while we carry him and look around at his surroundings!! Yay - Aidan!! He has also started back with vital stim therapy to try and improve his swallow. We had an appointment today and he was just loving the whipped cream that we bought for him :) Boy after my own heart!! As for hippatherapy (horse riding), we have decided to wait until spring, hoping to steer clear of cold and flu bugs! <br /><br />Finally, I'm SOOOOOO happy to report that Aidan has not needed his vent for the last two weeks!! WHOOOOO HOOOOOOOO!!!!! He does use his trach collar, which provides some moist oxygen, at night. But he is 100% breathing on his own - 24 hours a day!! I am so proud of my little man - he never ceases to amaze me!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-21833568631812540092009-11-03T21:52:00.002-05:002009-11-03T21:56:57.516-05:00WaitingAidan and I had an appointment today. We rushed to get there early, hoping we could get seen early and maybe get to run some errands. But, of course, I was wrong. Like all other doctor appts, we sat and waited. Even Aidan's favorite toy was no longer a comfort. But we survived...barely.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDYq7NoExVpRTYHfQRBhyphenhyphenvqqYXNnVSeCfkv23ePV9nS8QEa2ttP59usC-nx5B6LIhLcW0a0nXtgU4WC4CU4HEcSRM2wMPo3hMJb26RXlmXD6mCBmA0nStqtP4_vVQpSz5dx84afzG_UFR/s1600-h/Waiting.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDYq7NoExVpRTYHfQRBhyphenhyphenvqqYXNnVSeCfkv23ePV9nS8QEa2ttP59usC-nx5B6LIhLcW0a0nXtgU4WC4CU4HEcSRM2wMPo3hMJb26RXlmXD6mCBmA0nStqtP4_vVQpSz5dx84afzG_UFR/s400/Waiting.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400076855332634338" /></a>Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-49120208371005360542009-10-31T19:59:00.002-04:002009-10-31T20:02:05.114-04:00Happy Halloween!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5UcdJ6g-nrodYzwqMkHP5Vz_6chC6mWFt8zzEaapTiMYouDottoQAdnSLAqzaKVBTXOKNeJ5zLt4KGpbp9VjARqsEdc-tjyrk1i10XiclEWNw3iLdiHnlcXJwaPCRtw8bK-cQ9AOZbj1/s1600-h/Halloween+Aidan+2009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5UcdJ6g-nrodYzwqMkHP5Vz_6chC6mWFt8zzEaapTiMYouDottoQAdnSLAqzaKVBTXOKNeJ5zLt4KGpbp9VjARqsEdc-tjyrk1i10XiclEWNw3iLdiHnlcXJwaPCRtw8bK-cQ9AOZbj1/s400/Halloween+Aidan+2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398918219249147106" /></a><br /><br />Aidan has been a little under the weather today (and so have mommy and daddy), so we've decided to stay in and pass out candy instead of trick or treating. But he still looks so cute in his halloween pajamas!! Happy Halloween everyone - hope you all get lots of good treats!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-4998891025262245712009-10-30T16:16:00.003-04:002009-10-30T16:19:44.961-04:00Pumpkin TimeKip and I took Aidan to Huber's Farm this week and picked some pumpkins. Not just any pumpkins - we got a 30lb and a 40lb pumpkin!! We left one for Fall decorations and Kip carved (or drilled - isn't everything better with power tools?) into a Spongebob!! Oh I can't wait to see the look on Aidan's face when he sees it tonight in the dark!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBKwlWbvY68kPvFYlYAR-9I5HseaPeUYFAuZKog75l8SQIBnRN5WjKMdyLT4TOW9DQbuJZoRjsAyO4HHW7LAR1gCOusQ1Uk-0s3ykR2RYqQx8zPHi2SBZnsJ637jeEqJIbxcec8BwAbUV/s1600-h/Pumpkins.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBKwlWbvY68kPvFYlYAR-9I5HseaPeUYFAuZKog75l8SQIBnRN5WjKMdyLT4TOW9DQbuJZoRjsAyO4HHW7LAR1gCOusQ1Uk-0s3ykR2RYqQx8zPHi2SBZnsJ637jeEqJIbxcec8BwAbUV/s400/Pumpkins.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398490016632098146" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK-4d1Qtmjhpb084Rs90EZpDT2Wo943bcnCEcr1lgI3lYTWEHj4XYb2KWL2fb-UR65rbfC6VcDmhpon2yIClTwSAmLK5w_LW2S7-xMy_gZ_463kV0kKTmB_HWgRuzryE-0XHuBy3IIeZp/s1600-h/Spongebob+Pumpkin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdK-4d1Qtmjhpb084Rs90EZpDT2Wo943bcnCEcr1lgI3lYTWEHj4XYb2KWL2fb-UR65rbfC6VcDmhpon2yIClTwSAmLK5w_LW2S7-xMy_gZ_463kV0kKTmB_HWgRuzryE-0XHuBy3IIeZp/s400/Spongebob+Pumpkin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398490156422228146" /></a><br /><br />Didn't he do a great job??Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-57428839420033167572009-10-27T16:44:00.002-04:002009-10-27T16:45:47.620-04:00Mixed emotions. <br /><br />I am so super excited to tell you all that I got a call today from the Rett clinic, the international Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), just received a million dollar match gift!! AND they asked if we would be willing to do an interview with the media regarding our special little man!! OH, I can't tell you how excited I am!! If you would like more info on the gift, please go to the website listed below:<br /><br />http://<a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/So irsf-ir1102309.php">www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-10/So irsf-ir1102309.php</a><br /><br />However, two of my dear friends have received some bad news this week. One's grandma fell and had hip surgery on Sunday. She is doing well and starting rehab today. The other friend's grandma had a stroke last week and is not doing very well. Please pray for my friends and their families!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-65638359532751957162009-10-16T06:30:00.001-04:002009-10-16T06:31:35.677-04:00How things change in a matter or minutesI had to make my first 911 call yesterday morning. Aidan's trach came out (while still attached to his trach ties), and his nurse and I were unable to get it back in. Aidan was turning a little blue, however with a little help he was able to breathe on his own some. We were rushed to Kosair, with the mindset that he would go to surgery to get it replaced. (I won't tell you many times I almost called 911, from the ambulance, on the way in because NO ONE seemed to care that a rushing ambulance with lights and sirens blaring, was coming down the highway!!) <br /><br />Luckily, his surgeon was the one on call today (oh, how we LOVE Dr. Downard!!), and she was able to replace the trach without going to the OR. Aidan has been fighting what we think might be a cold or flu bug for the last 24 hours and he had a slight fever, so we decided to stay in the ER for a little while to see how things went. <br /><br />Aidan's fever was coming down, however he still required some oxygen, so we were going to be sent home via ambulance. While waiting for our ride home, Aidan's oxygen stats started to fall and we were awarded the golden "welcome to the PICU" pass for the night. We were soooo hoping to go home and not have to stay longer to get any germs. But, so is life.<br /><br />We are hopeful, that we will get sent home today. Tests are still out, and will take a couple days, to see if he has a bug or not. But the doctors are being proactive and treating him with meds.Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-72268352637994536512009-10-01T20:29:00.002-04:002009-10-01T20:36:23.730-04:00What we've learned in a week...We've been home a week now - and MAN does it feel good!! We're definitely learning a lot this week, and I'm sure we'll have even more lessons under our belts in another week!!<br /><br />*Aidan is a fast healer!! His trach site look GREAT!<br /><br />*Night nursing is a blessing!! It really wasn't as bad or invasive as we thought it would be.<br /><br />*Aidan is still (and understandably) scared of nurses, even at home!!<br /><br />*We aren't suctioning as much as we thought. <br /><br />*But we're still suctioning a lot!!<br /><br />*Getting a routine down is still not very easy in this house!!<br /><br />*We CAN still go out with a trach.<br /><br />*We have a LOT of extra baggage when we go out!!<br /><br />*As long as we take things day by day, hour by hour or minute by minute, we'll be ok!!<br /><br />*Aidan is cuter than EVER!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-55605005675455571432009-09-25T23:05:00.002-04:002009-09-25T23:20:00.138-04:00Where does the time go?!?!?!?My little man will be two in an hour...where does the time go?!?!?!? I was looking through pictures today of my baby shower and Aidan's birth. I remember those days so vividly, just like it was yesterday. But, looking back on these two years...so much has changed!!<br /><br />Aidan was the perfect baby!! He never cried, slept through the night from the very beginning (yes, looking back, this should have thrown up a red flag!!) and cuddled all day long :) But we also had some hard times, Aidan got sick. We got his diagnosis of Rett Syndrome and started to accept the fact that we have a "special" child. <br /><br />The second year started pefectly - we celebrated Aidan's birthday all weekend long!! It was a great time :) We moved into our home (looking back, this was one of the best decision we ever made!), adopted a puppy and decided to make Aidan a big brother!! <br /><br />Even though we've had what I think are a few of the worst days of our lives recently, we are so happy that we are able to be home to celebrate Aidan's birthday! Not only is tomorrow is birthday, but a start to a brand new life!! We definitely have a lot of hurdles to overcome in the next few days, weeks and months. But we're a strong family and we'll do it together, with our heads up!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-72298181738972187122009-09-24T15:44:00.003-04:002009-09-24T15:47:16.718-04:00We're home!!We got home around 12:30pm. We had a steady stream of visitors of nurses and medicaly supply workers. But Aidan is now asleep, in HIS bed, peacefully dreaming of Spongebob :)<br /><br />It's good to be home!!!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-86694954327216290472009-09-22T17:38:00.003-04:002009-09-22T17:53:51.578-04:00Almost home!!We complete our ventilator training today!! Yay!! Tomorrow we will meet the supply company at the house and they will bring all our supplies. So we can everything set up and ready to go for when Aidan comes home on THURSDAY!! As you can imagine, we CANNOT wait until Thursday gets here. Two more nights and then our little man will be home with us...exactly where he belongs!! <br /><br />Aidan will have spent an entire month in ICU by the time we are discharged on the 24th. He'll be so happy to be home in his own bed...after he remembers where he is :)Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-50064774546357152982009-09-17T21:31:00.001-04:002009-09-17T21:31:50.784-04:00Steps in the right direction!!Today has been our best day yet!! Kip and I have scheduled all our ventilator training classes for next week. Unfortunately, this will push our discharge date back a little. But fortunately, we will have night nursing in place and will be able to go home on Thursday!! Just in time for Aidan's SECOND birthday!! Can you believe our little man is going to be TWO?!?!?!? <br /><br />Aidan worked soooo hard today!! He has been off the ventilator all day, even was on room air - with no humidification for almost an hour!! I'm so proud of him!! We are working on getting him comfortable with a moisture valve which will fit over his trach - kind of like a barrel on a st. bernard (but without the whiskey!!). With this, he can go out and about without the need for humidified oxygen. Making our lives just a little easier :) Did I just say easier?? I really thought we had thrown that word out of our vocabulary!! <br /><br />Kip and I had our trach and cpr classes today. I was so surprised how much we have already picked up in the last week! I feel like a little Spongebob, soaking up all information. I remember coming into the hospital...almost a month ago...and thinking "what's this entitle crap they keep mentioning? and why is it do damn important??" Now we ask on a daily basis what he's measuring. (FYI - it is a monitor they place on his vent tube to measure his carbon dioxide rate). <br /><br />I'm still in shock that we may get to go home next week!! We have been in the hospital so long, that I'm forgetting what a normal homelife is like! I am longing for those mornings where I can walk into Aidan's room and pick him up and squeeze him good morning. Watching Spongebob on the couch together. Or getting a meal without having to hand the man at the register a $20 bill....yes, hospital food is NOT cheap!! <br /><br />I think we are slowing accepting our new path in life...but still knowing that we will have a lot of hurdles to overcome once we transition back to homelife. But it will be so nice to have our little man home with us, in his bed where he belongs. Just with another tube to take care of, a lot more equipment!! But....there's no place like home!!!!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-68000246186312275742009-09-14T16:37:00.004-04:002009-09-14T16:54:55.025-04:00My heart feels good!!Aidan is improving so much with each passing day - actually each hour!! He is breathing so much easier on his own. We are still using the ventilator while he is asleep, but when he is awake, he's happy and alert! <br /><br />And watching Spongebob!! Aidan is breathing on his own here, the blue tube is just giving him some humidified air so his throat doesn't dry out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFmdchKE8SyMuKZYlEtn350e8Ke2Czp7Iu0FW-AsJv2vsPx3mlEiJGCcttVPfZ9AsDt_Y8Z6oKYVPnEefe96sx7pbV19fyj7AR8OWhLFtHuh_asU6qah1SljJC6Uo1SR_5rdTUz00Bjj9/s1600-h/Aidan+awake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFmdchKE8SyMuKZYlEtn350e8Ke2Czp7Iu0FW-AsJv2vsPx3mlEiJGCcttVPfZ9AsDt_Y8Z6oKYVPnEefe96sx7pbV19fyj7AR8OWhLFtHuh_asU6qah1SljJC6Uo1SR_5rdTUz00Bjj9/s400/Aidan+awake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381427334677958450" /></a><br /><br />It was so hard to see Aidan suffer with that darn tube down his throat (and why it was so difficult to hold him!). But he's such a fighter, he must have known that his daddy and mommy really needed to see him smile, because he tried so hard!! Here is a picture of Aidan with his breathing tube getting his hair washed. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnBRBQcRgc56sORt9-USYgzITp-WeC5wu1-WjdcnfCBOqch0heEhgOqM8fWsMVUWflU2NXbNZq717zZ9cs-C83LfjdTWz1eEyH7ippDTsBidy8DRmhiBgWyGRVl0SBTzDs43X-Yp9q2f8/s1600-h/Shower+cap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnBRBQcRgc56sORt9-USYgzITp-WeC5wu1-WjdcnfCBOqch0heEhgOqM8fWsMVUWflU2NXbNZq717zZ9cs-C83LfjdTWz1eEyH7ippDTsBidy8DRmhiBgWyGRVl0SBTzDs43X-Yp9q2f8/s400/Shower+cap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381428638887389746" /></a><br /><br />This shower cap is AWESOME!! It has a cotton layer to it that has shampoo and conditioner, after a 5 minute scalp massage (I know, the torture!!), your hair is clean and doesn't even need rinsed!! I REALLY need one of these for home :)<br /><br />I'm so proud of my little man - he's definitely a fighter!! He is an inspiration to me and makes my heart feel good :)Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-70322539301182806322009-09-12T11:50:00.003-04:002009-09-12T11:53:17.870-04:00Aidan UpdateAidan had his surgery yesterday. It took about an hour and he did fantastic!! We gave him a rest day yesterday, but this morning he is up giggling and breathing like a champ!! And I am so relieved, I did feel the immediate peace and relief when I could see his precious face and he was breathing on his own :) Kip and I couldn't be more proud of our precious little man!! <br /><br />Thank you all for your love, support and prayers!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-87117768539860821182009-09-10T18:44:00.002-04:002009-09-10T18:47:10.645-04:00Tomorrow is the day...Aidan's surgery is scheduled for 8:30am tomorrow. I'm so nervous, scared and sort of happy all at the same time. I'm praying I feel the peace everyone talks about when I see him breathing on his own and he doesn't have a tube down his throat. Kip and I are asking everyone to pray that he recovers fast and well from his surgery, because we are so anxious to have him home for his birthday!! I can't believe my baby is going to be 2 already!!!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-85912660595045307052009-09-08T16:04:00.000-04:002009-09-08T16:05:25.884-04:00DecisionDecision has been made...Aidan will be getting a trach. Aidan actually made the decision for us, he just couldn't tolerate CPAP at night, it just wasn't enough support. This was by far the HARDEST decision Kip and I have had to make, but was it really a decision? What was the alternative?? <br /><br />Thank you all for you love and support - we couldn't have made it this far without you!! And it will be greatly appreciated in the weeks to come!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-9662343488331464282009-09-08T12:50:00.002-04:002009-09-08T13:01:36.130-04:00Tuesday morningKip and I were a little late getting to the hospital this morning. We are just so exhausted from the late nights and early mornings that we had a rough time getting started today, plus we had some errands to run. (Not to mention the LOADS of laundry laying on the floor begging to be washed!!) So, we missed rounds this morning, and were told by the nurse that the doctor wants to schedule a meeting with us today. We're are assuming today is decision day...do we trach Aidan??<br /><br />His respitory therapist just came in and asked if we were going to have the surgery? So, that just solidifies our gut feeling that this is probably going to have to happen...Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-32326422959560416842009-09-04T23:30:00.002-04:002009-09-04T23:33:15.785-04:00So now what??So what do you do when you can't cry anymore? When ripping your heart out so it can't feel your child's pain anymore really isn't an option? I guess I have to put on my big girl pants and realize we are opening a new chapter in our lives and we (like many times before) will survive. I am proud to have the O'Rourke name, we are a strong bunch, we are fighters, we will survive!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-61375231192802873902009-09-03T12:05:00.001-04:002009-09-03T12:05:34.788-04:00Prayer Request for AidanAs most of you might already know...we are in the hospital. Aidan and I went to PA for a family visit last month while Kip was traveling for work. We were having a great time the first two weeks, but the last weekend, while in Scranton, he came down with a high fever and vomiting. We went to a local ER, got admitted bc the fever wouldn't break and then all hell broke loose. <br /><br />Aidan fell asleep and wouldn't wake up. He started destating and needed to be intubated to breathe. Then he started having seizures. He was then flown to the closest children's hospital in Danville, PA (population - not many!!) <br /><br />Doctors have tried to extubate Aidan twice, unsuccessfully. We are on the third intubation and were transferred back to Kosair yesterday in Louisville. Aidan is taking very shallow breaths that doesn't allow enough carbon dioxide to escape his body. He is also fighting a lung infection.<br /><br />We are trying to be optimistic that he will recover from the infection and be able to be successfully extubated. We are on day twelve of our hospital stay and although we are finally in our hometown and Kip and I can go home to sleep in our bed...it was extremely difficult to walk in and see his empty room. <br /><br />We are asking for prayers that Aidan turns the corner and can come home soon with us!!Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-16329763600019452082009-06-17T12:14:00.006-04:002009-06-17T12:22:46.386-04:00Drawing and Baking<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmuoeyA0ylZQKmI-LJ_k-pwDo-5ZERJ8RMwaCauwKLegMZ4NxEV7JxQj7Zbe61c4l2mJ6HfyoEQbcYPuJutnjUoxQP4ihO6sidGBSQjNrcwVw-VCW1YKgGI_vV09QSsjPxx2aWo6q_DEN/s1600-h/DSC02761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmuoeyA0ylZQKmI-LJ_k-pwDo-5ZERJ8RMwaCauwKLegMZ4NxEV7JxQj7Zbe61c4l2mJ6HfyoEQbcYPuJutnjUoxQP4ihO6sidGBSQjNrcwVw-VCW1YKgGI_vV09QSsjPxx2aWo6q_DEN/s400/DSC02761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348332312037848674" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLaTi8fo8QFL2cZxyIsMmWfIlGl3d5t5iyQKF89PAffttI8JrS5a8b5nY9aOyLxj9g-Qd8L1B5AMm_HE_jNwOX8NeRfInXG4mywau6GZMZrq1dNiEQnhz5FJ8ej5plJ4Jkx4yuCM3wYeC/s1600-h/DSC02762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLaTi8fo8QFL2cZxyIsMmWfIlGl3d5t5iyQKF89PAffttI8JrS5a8b5nY9aOyLxj9g-Qd8L1B5AMm_HE_jNwOX8NeRfInXG4mywau6GZMZrq1dNiEQnhz5FJ8ej5plJ4Jkx4yuCM3wYeC/s400/DSC02762.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348332547054055778" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGLvtSGMzYHPgpWHvCQIPCEgnBqWZ_nq4I02xbRVKF1B-jn1h5CVEccQJpjlkM4hyFhzwlhjhzDTraP2Wp_WeGAc7ASwhTKQIcODsXKdzOxxzu0T6UVVpG22srpm3zIysnFuJv9yCiXK5/s1600-h/DSC02747.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGLvtSGMzYHPgpWHvCQIPCEgnBqWZ_nq4I02xbRVKF1B-jn1h5CVEccQJpjlkM4hyFhzwlhjhzDTraP2Wp_WeGAc7ASwhTKQIcODsXKdzOxxzu0T6UVVpG22srpm3zIysnFuJv9yCiXK5/s400/DSC02747.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348331111399441986" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA780GpqD4GgTvrOoMBKNzELXAsEV6w04FbrTWY1MgvAZOBWcjxIrhfTR5rOUnL3wMwhL9BHXytMDO3c7bT415ku3CzxU2kW1E3_QgAx-mRiQKbHtyfq_Cg19_LUoi4Nu78smKTdiRzBXp/s1600-h/DSC02753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA780GpqD4GgTvrOoMBKNzELXAsEV6w04FbrTWY1MgvAZOBWcjxIrhfTR5rOUnL3wMwhL9BHXytMDO3c7bT415ku3CzxU2kW1E3_QgAx-mRiQKbHtyfq_Cg19_LUoi4Nu78smKTdiRzBXp/s400/DSC02753.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348331359212100322" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pEAdroqwwo-XPeLWuIU6pX7Mx9lv17SZPJleZohdzM_S_MwWZc3HDIPBBD5DQ1rym1lfffhMxwj7CbBI1gXncNDAP2NC3RcB2jyw9QZKFrW0WB4AWhYBhz4RNv8CdS88FUuwoKZYvHMr/s1600-h/DSC02755.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pEAdroqwwo-XPeLWuIU6pX7Mx9lv17SZPJleZohdzM_S_MwWZc3HDIPBBD5DQ1rym1lfffhMxwj7CbBI1gXncNDAP2NC3RcB2jyw9QZKFrW0WB4AWhYBhz4RNv8CdS88FUuwoKZYvHMr/s400/DSC02755.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348331665262723842" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJBFvfKQ_d9A7thUaTlTGNKMLaWX-dhV8AvWtNL2f-8awuqnyc4081S3_qFMATeoDLEVVz4arK7lNoqzK7uDabAjxGjGaT9ysmQzm19gcvQkerSAWOh32a4d5oh-BbDcX3cRRX9CEoBnW/s1600-h/DSC02759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJBFvfKQ_d9A7thUaTlTGNKMLaWX-dhV8AvWtNL2f-8awuqnyc4081S3_qFMATeoDLEVVz4arK7lNoqzK7uDabAjxGjGaT9ysmQzm19gcvQkerSAWOh32a4d5oh-BbDcX3cRRX9CEoBnW/s400/DSC02759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348331934470827234" /></a>Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2177551032653975417.post-85285766134179865272009-06-04T10:13:00.004-04:002009-06-04T10:15:43.611-04:00It's good to be Aidan!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJeAHUQk2iCwRd2g0FA9_TNgg0LJRU2swEiPhpF3wyTWBPCa6Cd4ynUeysta2XQFLc56vCaGz3GXZDI5rTvqHivC7YYorvV8M08SyBFvVEz52cHe_zOXiAlTxcoeijA55wbo36MVShunH/s1600-h/smiles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJeAHUQk2iCwRd2g0FA9_TNgg0LJRU2swEiPhpF3wyTWBPCa6Cd4ynUeysta2XQFLc56vCaGz3GXZDI5rTvqHivC7YYorvV8M08SyBFvVEz52cHe_zOXiAlTxcoeijA55wbo36MVShunH/s400/smiles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343475797881045154" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU_hN3Fpbho_3_0-sHZc4uJK6d-mMzz2g7fmTaqbUMgz2PkpiGq4-8qiPiQsU0wej8hyphenhyphenFJlgvKZBbZCCzrJltWXoodxqIo9R8tTtGS0-yYC1W9f99u5TYgYQ8y3KPh8bULppRwtC1v9R_/s1600-h/hello.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAU_hN3Fpbho_3_0-sHZc4uJK6d-mMzz2g7fmTaqbUMgz2PkpiGq4-8qiPiQsU0wej8hyphenhyphenFJlgvKZBbZCCzrJltWXoodxqIo9R8tTtGS0-yYC1W9f99u5TYgYQ8y3KPh8bULppRwtC1v9R_/s400/hello.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343475680677474674" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pMutRfsqwZlkqox0q2RWlwM9NL469AhOcHqShsJxk7NES01QRU28sB5hcmiyzM3EFqnbmDMe0VKkfd8pdIgKYVTuOpzQhDksjWdk1YJ7ItJtIWyTveroFtVXDvkyUCD3SIdhkmW4Xir9/s1600-h/hot+tub.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pMutRfsqwZlkqox0q2RWlwM9NL469AhOcHqShsJxk7NES01QRU28sB5hcmiyzM3EFqnbmDMe0VKkfd8pdIgKYVTuOpzQhDksjWdk1YJ7ItJtIWyTveroFtVXDvkyUCD3SIdhkmW4Xir9/s400/hot+tub.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343475578274154338" /></a>Kerriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12427841094755816785noreply@blogger.com1