Yesterday was Apollo’s twelfth trip to Seattle Children’s Hospital…this year. He’s spent ten days admitted there so far and had more actual visits (sometimes 2, 3 or even 4 per day). He’s had MRI’s, CAT scans, x-rays, blood drawn, bronchcoscopies, heart surgery, g-tube placement and more. We’ll be putting the new (more permanent tube) in this fall.
A busy first half of the year, to put it mildly.
Yesterday’s visit was to the (new) ENT and we received good news. The doctor thought he looked so good (chubbier and more active) that we don’t even have a follow-up visit scheduled for him (to the ENT, he has many other visits scheduled).
He tube site finally seems to be healing, he’s not in pain (for the first time in a long time), he’s gaining weight, and most importantly, he is finally become more active. He’s literally sat around most of this year. His reflux medicine has been cut in half (back to the original dose) and he’s still happy. I feel more optimistic right now than I have in a very, very long time.
We’ve been given the green light to night-wean him. Up until now, I’ve been under doctor’s orders to nurse Apollo if he wanted at night (he was, after all, not getting enough nutrition during the day). We’ve gone a week without nursing at night, and he’s survived. He’s not always happy about it, but it’s our new normal.
Kids are beginning to finish up school work and I am looking forward to next year…some new things are in the works and I’m optimistic that the next school year will go smoother. Honestly, I don’t see how the school year could be much worse. I have been gone so much this year…
How are things looking on your side of the web?
{And speaking of being optimistic, why don’t you head over to Circle of Moms and vote my blog as the Top Mom of Teens blog!}
i am so happy to hear this good news. i have prayed for things to get easier for you. mainly praying for Apollo’s health and for you to get some rest. God has always been in control…He receives the praise for this good news. Hope you will be about to get more sleep and for Apollo to get some good sleep too….mercy I would have already died!
love you to all!!
Twelve trips so far this year! I can’t imagine. I honestly cannot imagine! Many parents would find that be tiring, taxing and overwhelming and you have THIRTEEN OTHER KIDS to worry about. I am so glad to hear he’s gaining weight. That’s the best possible news.
So glad things are looking up! So many prayers have been going up for Apollo and I know are continuing. I hope his weight gain and activity level continues to get even better. We have mostly gray skies on our side, and while I love Alaska in all other ways I am struggling with that aspect. I knew to expect it, and even thought more highly of my ability to deal with it than is realistically possible. I thought somehow I would enjoy the sunny days and do extra homeschool and housework on gray days but honestly I have NO energy on those days. The gray days are far more than the sunny ones… I am accidentally looking forward to moving back “home” to the 48. I try to be happy wherever we go, but this is a hard one. We are finishing up our school year, and enjoying the activities available up here which are many and varied.
It is so great to have some good news about Apollo!
We have a new baby (almost 2 months). She is going to the ENT on Friday to check for blockage around her esophagus. After following your blog for a while I’m pretty nervous about it. With all your experience with these specialists, what would you recommend for me to do/ask at our initial consultation?
Corrie, I would love to help you with this. Can you send me an email at bergeron (at) yahoo (dot) com? My answer depends on her symptoms…why do they suspect blockage? Is she having trouble breathing? Swallowing? Both? I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Yep, things are looking up and I am in hopes it will be even better from here on out! Oh my, we ALL have days/months/years of schooling just as you. That is even without going through what all you have lately. Please give yourself a break. As you know, homeschooling is so forgiving when it comes to catching up on hard times. (((hugs)))
Susan
This is absolutely, fantasticly joyous news!!! We have all been praying for your little man and it is so heartening to hear some good news. Take it easy on yourself, you and chuck have had more than your fair share of busyness this year and this summer break will be a good opportunity for you all as a family to relax a little and have some “quality” time together. As always blessings to you all and give all your gorgeous kiddos a big hug and kiss. xo
Rejoicing with you on some steps forward! That is wonderful news and an answer to many prayers being lifted for your family. I would encourage you not to sweat the school stuff. It will get done, and quite possibly the things your children are learning through walking this journey as a family are much more important! Hugs for your day!
Hooray! (Does this mean we’ll get more Avi pictures, too?)
Robyn- Only if she stays still long enough for me to get a photo!
So happy to hear this news!
For some reason, the email I sent you kept coming back. I’m pretty dumb when it comes to computers. Here is what I tried to send you:
)
Hi!
Thanks for your help.
To tell the truth, the only reason I knew something was wrong was the video you posted of Apollo’s retractions.
Her symptoms are:
Retractions, like Apollo’s, but in the front. I haven’t noticed any in the back, but she’s only 2 months old and on her back most of the time.
She does choke a lot on breast milk, but to be fair so did my other kids.
Sometimes she just cries and cries when she should eat, then falls asleep instead of eating. It usually just happens on one side, though, so that could be something else.
She breaths like an old smoker and makes other strange noises. Every once in awhile she stops breathing for a second or two.
That’s all I’ve noticed…I think.
Thanks again!
~Corrie
Corrie, so sorry the email wasn’t working. I just figured it would be easier than discussing it in the comments. I know your appointment was Friday, let me know how it went and if you have any more questions.