Day 17
April 28, 2010
Dr.Downey and team of dr's all came in to check Michael's gtube. He was incredibly pompous as I asked questions and expressed my concerns about the gtube. He kept telling me that he thinks "we are really just overthinking this!" I told him that I could feel that he was frustrated by my determined concern but that I really felt like something is wrong and that I wanted to have my concerns addressed. He wants the gtube left alone and practically laughed out loud, basically rolling his eyes with the younger man that came in with him as I expressed my concern again and again.

Lexis is running for Student Body Secretary. Last year she ran for Junior Class President and after a great fight she lost to the Brad Pitt of Timpview High. I was so proud that's she chose to get right back in their this year. She is such an outstanding young lady!! We finally decided on a "Supergirl" themed campaign. We painted posters last night and Taryn's dad's friend is putting Lexis' face on supegirl from a 1980's movie. Her campaign slogans all center around that-- "it's a T-Bird, it's a plane. No, it's Super Secretary Lexis Allen!!" "Vote Lexis for SB Secretary. Saving lives one T-Bird at a time!". I took two Costco boxes full of Blow Pops to the hospital and sat next to Michael's bedside putting "Vote for Lexis" on each one and Michael only nawwed on one that was already half open.

Day 14
April 27,2010

Michael could not tolerate the 200ml over an hour and I am completely distraught. I don't understand how we will be able to manage normalcy at home if he is attached to this pump 24 hours a day. Dr Sadie handed me a calculator and said I am mowing charge of his feeding schedule. Michael needs 1680 each day and however best we can get that in him with consideration to his comfort and schedule is what we should do. I like the idea and am busy coming up with a schedule.
As a side note he has a fever today?

Day 14 April 27, 2010



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Day 14
April 27, 2010

Tina came by to change Michael's gtube dressing. We explained our sincere concerns about his obvious belly pain. Once the bandages were off I noticed a strange hard area to the left of the gtube. It actually felt like a piece of something. My guess was a piece of the mechanics they put inside of him but she reassured me that was not possible although she was equally concerned with the site. He took a picture of it to show the surgeon and the redness around it. When he flexes is stomach muscles a circle appears around the site which looks like the balloon that is holding that in. That is my best explanation. I told her of
my concerns that something just doesn't seem right. I sit next to him in bed for hours of the day trying to keep him from hurting himself and I just feel like something is going on with his tummy.
Dr.Meyers, another surgeon, came in later and expressed her opinion that it was very unlikely that anything was happening and that they woul continue to let his gtube rest the full week before using it.

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April 27, 2010
Michael only weighs 17.6 kg at 112 cm -- having lost weight since he was hospitalized.
I was able to go into work today. It is a terribly busy time as everyone is Checking in and out with school's end. My job has taken a most unfortunate back seat to Mike's. I have the luxury of setting my own hours but that does not compute to a lower need for me to be there.
He became furious with me after Drs suggested the possibility of a half-way house type scenario while Michael's feeding issues were controlled. A sort of step down from the hospital setting. I had mentioned to the dr's my strong concerns of taking Michael home right away and trying to do this on my own. I am unsure why this caused him to be so angry but my guess is it stemmed fromhis belief that such an admission or need for support constituted a lack of ability on our part as parents.
A representative of the South Davis facility came by and talked with him while I was at work. I read report and I am unsure as to whether she wasn't understanding Michael's story or if Mike wasn't clear. Interestingly enough Mike us now complelty on board with the South Davis option. Is this becaus the young lady was so cute? I am unsure. What a fical creature.

Day 13

Dr Fassl and team listened to our concerns about the feedings but don't seem to be as concerned about his agitation after each feed as we are. I feel
Very strongly that something is not right with his tummy if nothing else his behaviors of throwing up whatever is put in his stomach along with the obvious discomfort when be eats are still present. These are reasons we were admitted in the first place. They are saying we Could go home as early as tomorrow and I am wondering what the heck I am missing here. Michael has been as aggressive as he has ever been. He is clenching his stomach and gassy and frankly miserable with each feed. I am having to restain him while sitting in bed with him and he has bit my upper arm multiple times in basically the same spot. I have an ice pack on it now. I was complelty unable to keep my compusure while meeting with dr's this morning as they told me they felt good about how he is doing. I am overwhelmed by the idea of trying to manage this at home by myself not to mention the fact that it has taken four nurses along with myself And meds to hold him down while placing
his NG tube. I don't understand how they can feel so visibly different about what is happening. DrSadie did become teary eyed as I cried my concerns. We are lucky to have such a good team following Michael and there help is still needed.

Day 12
April 25, 2010

They are feeding him thru his NG tube and he can't hardly stand it. He's gotten more and more agitated and threw up yesterday. They are feeding him large "bolus" feeds every few hours and I am not sure why they have started out with what seems so aggressive. The feeding are of Pediasure that is poured into a bag, attached to a pump and dripped into his tube down thru his nose and then to his stomach. He definitely could use the feedings. He only weighs 18.3 kg or 40 lbs. So tiny!

Day 11
April 24, 2010
Michael's g-tube was placed. Waiting in the surgical waiting room was completely unnerving.

Grace is missing me as much as I am missing her. She has been counting the days and asked each day when we will be home. Of course, the intentions were never to be in the hospital this long nor did I think he would need to be. I miss you sweet kids!

Day 10
April 23, 2010
I met with Dr.Downey today who will be doing Michael's g- tube placement. He explained that this surgery is quite standard. They will be placing it laproscopically. Michael is not able to eat and he is not happy about that at all.

Got to play with my oldest 3 today! Man, they are the greatest kids
Ever!!

Day 7

Michael with his new NG tube placed.