A trip to the hospital

Well, it had been some time for Braden to be absent from the hospital, but this trip was entirely different. For once, it wasn't a respiratory problem, but a G.I. problem. We found out that his stomach and bowels had been bleeding, only discovered after a session with his vest airway clearance system, and a dark brown discharge was coming from his G-tube site. I decided to check his residual (leftover stomach contents) and discovered they were a dark brown color, much different from the normal creamy-color of pediasure.

We took him to the ER and found he had blood in his stomach contents and stool, and so they admitted us. They believe he has a condition that will get better with time, either it is gastritus (just an irritation of the stomach lining) or gastroenteritis (inflammation and irritation of both the stomach and bowels). They put him on a regimen of fluids, milk of magnesia, and nexium. His out of the ordinary fussiness subsided some, so we believe the addition of these medications is helping.

Of course, we will keep his progress noted on this blog. Luckily, when we got to the ER, we saw our pulmonologist, who works the ER once in a blue moon, so he took care of us. We even got put into the room with froggies on the door, so we took it as a good omen.

We are back home now, and back to a routine. Please continue to keep Braden and his doctors in your prayers, so they find answers for quick healing. Thanks for the continued prayers,
The Wilsons

Grab a Tissue and your Heartstrings...

Okay family and friends, I have some heart-warming moments to share with you. First, let me tell you about mother's day. It was bittersweet and a very emotional day. First my great-grandmother, and Braden's great-great-grandmother (yes, that's 5 generations) passed away Sunday morning. Great-Grannie Marie was a fiesty and opinionated woman who loved her children and grandchildren, even babysitting them in her 80s. Even at 96 she had a fabulous sense of humor and joyful spirit.

Nana Debby had sent a lovely card with a necklace in it with a pendant that said "Mom" and a scripture on the back: 1 Peter 3:4 "Be known for the beauty that comes from within..."

We spent the day with our friends the Heckert's who invited us to share their Mother's Day BBQ. Nana Doris Glass gave mommy a card from Braden, including a fabulous necklace with a frog pendant. The sentiment was enough to move mommy to tears of joy.

This year was the first year that Braden was NOT in the hospital for Mother's Day. Our first mother's day, Braden was still in the NICU preparing for surgery, and last year we were recovering from a near-fatal pnuemonia and bacterial infection. We had lots to celebrate.

We also opened a letter from our insurance company, and they have overturned the original ruling we have been fighting since late last year, the denial for his positional seating unit to help battle the early onset scoliosis, respiratory issues, and more. What a great mother's day gift!! We won a battle!!

Then a call from Aunt Shala made the day quite overwhelming. Cousin Paxton had to send the last surviving kitty-cat of hers to a local feedyard to find safety from the new dogs they got, as two of them didn't survive the integration of the two new "top-dogs" on the farm. Shala decided to get rid of the most rambunctious dog, and they went to visit the old kitty-cat. They discovered that that kitty (named Roadie) had been run over by a truck and after 4 vets had worked on him for a few weeks, he still suffered from a broken pelvis and back legs, and some missing hair spots. This cat must have used 8 of it's lives, because it survives, but cannot run or climb trees, but has figured out how to walk/limp around on his back legs. Well Shala gave Paxton the option of going to Gram's to pick out a new kitty, or she could take Roadie home. She made it clear that Roadie might not make it, but this four-year-old child made an inspirational choice that still makes me tear up. She chose to take Roadie home and care for him, even though he may not make it, and she even asked if she could help dig the grave if he doesn't make it. As the mother of a "broken" child, I gave a hearty cry knowing that my beautiful niece made such a courageous choice to take home her "broken" kitty, one that is quite less 'perfect' than other kitties she could have. She wants Roadie to chase her around like he used to, but since he can't really do it, she puts him in a wagon to tote him around with her. Inspiration from a four-year old. What a proud moment for her parents and any of us who know her. Here are pictures of Paxton and Roadie...




Congratulations if you made it through without needing a tissue. We will celebrate the love and hope of our son, our now five-year-old niece, and our family. Thanks for checking on us,
The Wilson's