Friday, December 29, 2006

It's almost the end of 2006 and we can't wait to end this year and look forward to a brand new year that will be a very healthy year for everyone.

Ok, let me rewind.....
Tuesday we were supposed to go to clinic but Roy and I woke up and said, do we really have to go? We called Ginny in clinic and asked her if it all possible could we come in tomorrow (wednesday)? The kids so wanted to play with their gifts and we just wanted to have one more day home knowing we would be getting admitted and don't know how long we will be in Philly for this time. So, an hour later Ginny called and said that Dr. Bunin said that there was nothing planned but we HAVE to come in tomorrow. We got a late start on Wednesday it took us 3 hours and finally got down to Philly around 2:30 and we were admitted shortly thereafter.

Jack was scheduled for the PICC for Thursday at 1:00 and we knew that was going to be a very difficult morning with him not being able to eat or drink until after the procedure. Well, difficult was not the word. It was horrendous. He cried all morning and afternoon up until he was sedated. Roy did a great job trying to keeping Jack as calm as possible not to mention the fact that Jack really didn't even want me around if you could believe that one. Another thing that helped with keeping Jack calm was that his Pop Pop from NY came down to see him (by Jack's request) and he came bearing Christina and Jack's Christmas gifts. Jack got a Lionel Thomas & Friends train track and Christina got a pair of "Heelys".....(Thanks alot Pop Pop!). Even in spite of Jack's bad mood, he was happy to have his grandfathers company and to get his gift, now all we have to do is find a way to set it up here, if not it will get set up when we get home.

Anyway, long story short, Jack finally got his line and he started eating as soon as he got back to his room. He did well after his sedation and ate like a champ and TPN was started shortly after coming back to his room. Let's all pray that this will be the last time and that this gets him over the hump to getting his nutrition, gut and recovery from his transplant better and most of all NO MORE INFECTIONS! They are treating Jack as though he as an active infection in hopes that that will keep him from getting one. Like I said, please pray.

We started out in room 3C05 which is a smaller room and is good for short stays but today we were moved to room 3C14, our orignal transplant room and we feel like we're back home again. My feeling is maybe we need to end where we started and hopefully this will be the last stay.

Now for the other news......Roy and I have known for sometime but we didn't want to make a big deal about it until we knew how Jack was doing and now since New Years is here and we know Jack will be here we can tell everyone. Jack is officially an honorary MUMMER. About 2 months ago Tracey (our great nurse who loves Jack) came and told Jack about the Mummer parade and how her nephews were in last years parade and asked him if he wanted to be in it and of course he said yes. Since then it has become quite an experience. We were interview by a reporter from the MummerTime Magazine and we sent pictures and Jack's story is one of the articles in the Magazine which just came out this week. Tracey said she will be getting us some copies and once I'm home I will scan it into our computer and try and post it in the blog. Jack is part of the Comic Division in the Wench Brigade. (see: www.mummertime.com) We have already arranged for a six hour pass fout of the hospital on Monday to go to the parade and see the show at the convention center and we will be interviewed again by Philly's local channel 29. I don't know if it is telecasted in everyone's area, but check your guide for details about the Mummer Parade.