We have been back on 8B for well over a week and have not seen any significant change in Gavin’s oxygen requirements. We are trying not to rush him. Patience, grasshopper. He wears his prongs without complaint and only needs a minimal amount, but just can’t get over that last hurdle.
Otherwise, all is quiet around here as tumbleweeds roll through the hospital of the holidays. We had a lovely Christmas day. On Christmas Eve I pretended to be Santa Claus and we had a few dry runs at the concept of St. Nick putting presents in one’s stocking. In the morning Gav was up early and thrilled to find his presents, and also many gifts under our miniature tree. (made from a gingerbread kit the night before.) As Bean and a bleary-eyed mama starting opening gifts, Santa and helpers paid us a visit and brought even more presents for Bean. They snapped a quick pic, in which Gav was quite stony-faced due to shyness, and were off. I look like I’ve just rolled out of bed, surprisingly.
After Daddy arrived on Christmas morning, we spent the rest of the day playing with Gavin’s new loot. In the afternoon my immediate family brought Christmas dinner to us and we wheeled Gavin out to the lounge with the tank in tow. He ate half a raspberry. His first food in over 6 weeks. After a short time, he wanted to return to his room as he was feeling overwhelmed by everyone’s presence. He played in his room with Bubby while the rest of us had dessert.
The next morning I came back to hospital to discover that Daddy had developed a sore throat over night, and we thought it best he leave straightaway. A clinic visit confirmed strep throat, so Craig got an unexpected three-day holiday from hospital life. Antibiotics have saved the day and he’s now well enough to be back. Beanie and I did not lack company as Bubby and Da came every day to help out and entertain.
Gavin is pretty much back to his old energetic self, and we are trying to incorporate a little bit of exercise into his routine. He stood up and took some assisted steps for the first time a few days ago, and we’ve been spending some time on the floor, standing up and sitting down. It will be a long process to get him walking on his own again but we are getting there. It is just unfortunate that he still needs to be so connected to monitors and such because of the oxygen set-up. It makes moving around very awkward.
Yesterday, he decided to try some food again for the first time. I had asked him every day if he wanted to order meal train, and always got “no.” To my surprise last night, he said “yes!” so I grabbed a menu and we made a big show of choosing what we wanted. When his mac and cheese arrived, he actually ate about 10 bites, an amazing start! I am very excited to get him home to start chubbing him up, those toothpick legs are just too thin.
We are not going anywhere just yet but are passing the days fairly happily and trying to keep busy. He is still being weaned off morphine and other medications, but each day manages to shed another one. I think he is now only on 6 or 7 meds. Not much around here.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who brought by gifts and packages for us! We received a big basket of goodies from a friend of a friend and we are touched. Other wonderful friends were equally as generous, so we have not lacked food and gifts for Gavin.
I also wanted to share with you a gift we received a few weeks back from an anonymous donor. Someone out there was lovely enough to send a touching letter and a large sum of money for us. I do not know how to thank this person, but kind stranger, I want you to know how much it means to us. I wept when I read your letter and am trying to think of something very special to do with the money. Sometimes I feel strange to be on the receiving end of such generosity, and can only wonder at the incredibly self-less people there are in this world. Thank you for being you.