Tue. 4/15 - update

Caed did such a good job today! The dr. said we needed to try to get him up and moving as soon as possible. We were nervous about having to "start over" with all the walking, etc... and especially dreading all the pain that would be involved for him. We got him up this morning (he cried some), and we walked out the door and maybe 10 feet down the hall. He did SO good! Then, we got up two more times today, each time furthering the distance. Our final walk this evening was down to the nurses' station. We are so proud of him. He is one tough little boy! Other than the walks, he just rested in his bed all day. Cried a few times in pain, but overall rested very comfortably. He is still on the heavy duty pain med., but hopefully he will still be ok when they begin weaning him off. He also has run fever the last 2 days. Not sure if it's just from the surgery or something else. He has several "drains" coming out of him (stomach, intestine, and I believe the abdominal cavity). They will leave the abd. one in for about 5 more days. I think she said they will go back to the OR to remove it, but it will be a very simple procedure and just under a light anesthesia. Not sure how long we'll have the other 2. They are draining bile and other fluids, therefore he has not thrown up these last 2 days. Please pray that once they are removed, the vomiting will be GONE!! That would be a great sign that things are working like they should.

I wanted to include a very special thank you in tonight's blog. We owe SO much to our families who have literally stopped their own lives to be here for Caed and our little family! I cannot even begin to share ALL that they have done. From staying here at the hospital with us 24/7 to doing our laundry and running errands, bringing meals to us, taking over Reagan's homeschooling and caring for Caleb (our newborn). There is NO possible way we could go through this without them! My brother, Stan, and his wife live in South Carolina. When Caed first got sick and was in ICU, Megan and Xan (their daughter) put their life on hold and flew here to help out. They have been here now for OVER a month (while Stan has had to stay in SC)!! I can't believe the sacrifice they have made for us! Megan has taken over in caring for Caleb, getting up in the middle of the night, taking him to his dr. appt., etc.... I owe her SO much! We couldn't have made it without her! Mother, thank you for being Reagan's "substitute teacher." I couldn't think of a better one! I feel so confident in knowing you are teaching her. Thanks also for helping out with Caleb. I know it hasn't been easy. Thank you Daddy for being here at the hospital everyday and having such a passion to help Caed get better. Thanks for sometimes "translating" for me what the drs. say. You have now become my favorite anatomy teacher, and I will never forget all your "garden hose" analogies. Katie, thank you as well for coming up here everyday! Just your presence and constant support have meant so much. Thank you for doing our laundry and running all over town to pick up things for us. Thank you for staying up all hours of the night just to make sure I get home safely. To our grandparents, brothers and families, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc...WE LOVE EACH OF YOU SO MUCH! This is what families do for each other, and we will never forget it. Boy, is Caed one blessed little guy to have such an awesome family!


Ahhh! Pain medicine is good!!



Aunt Megan and Caleb, who by the
way is rolling over now! (2 mos!)