Author: Dave

The Way We Live

Posted on by Dave

For the past 25 days we have been staying at the Renucci Hospitality House.  It has been very convenient because it connected to the hospital.  This is good and bad because you never have to go outside, and you never go outside.  They have a nice kitchen where we can prepare our meals and many service groups serve meals to all the guests.  Laundry is onsite and they even have a playroom where Atreyu can get out some energy.  Apart from that it is a lot like living in a hotel room, which gets old even if you are on vacation.

My work space is kind of cramped but I at least have a window and am able to be productive 40+ hours a week.  As much as we long for our own house we are grateful for such wonderful accommodations.

Lauren talked to the plastic surgeon today about when we could have the rest of the Doctors do their consultations.  He said that the wound is starting to blister a little, which is a normal part of the healing process, so he has to stay off his back for now.  We are still hopeful that by the end of next week we might be able to get those doctors to see Ezra.
Ezra seems to be stronger now then ever, he is recovering so well from the shunt surgery. We can feel the pressure relief in his head, which has got to be a good feeling for him.  Since I work a lot during the week, I am looking forward to spending a lot of time with Ezra this weekend.

The Day After

Posted on by Dave

Today Ezra went down for a CT scan and some X rays to check the shunt placement. Instead of having to go in a transporter bed he got to go in a stroller all bundled up.  The scan showed that the shunt was good and he is doing really good today.  He is eating well again, he’s off pain meds and tomorrow he will be back off the antibiotics.

The physical therapist came by to help with some positioning because he is getting to lay on his stomach a little more now rather than just his side.  Now we are trying to get a consult with orthopedics and urology, but it has been difficult getting the communication clear between all of Ezra’s doctors.  At this point that is all that is keeping us from being able to come home.

In Recovery

Posted on by Dave

Ezra’s shunt surgery went really well. It only took about twenty minutes for the actual procedure. We talked to the neurosurgeon and it will only take about a day to heal from this procedure, so it won’t add to his stay. From a neurological standpoint Ezra is cleared to go home. We just have to get everyone else to sign off. Hopefully by early February well be back home.

Surgery Scheduled

Posted on by Dave

We were just getting used to Ezra with out any tubes and tape all over him and today he got an IV line placed back into his arm.  The neurosurgeon check on him today, and said that he needs the shunt surgery.  The surgery is scheduled for Wednesday.  We don’t know what time, because there is another shunt surgery before him.

This is a pretty routine surgery that this surgeon has preformed many times, but it is tough thinking that they will be sticking something into his head.  Also he will be under general anesthesia and on a respirator again.

His back continues to do well.  The color of the wound is looking more like flesh and less like a scab.  The shunt incision will be small, so the recovery from that will be quicker than what his back has been taking.  We are still hopeful to return home before too much longer, however, right now he has another hurdle to get over.  We appreciate all the prayers and  support.  They will especially mean a lot to us on Wednesday.