Get This Tube Out of My Nose

Brodie has been doing great lately. He has not been without his challenges but overall we are so pleased with everything. We went the pulmonologist and he was happy with Brodie's progress and was optimistic about getting the trach out this year. While we were there he told our nurse to shut his oxygen off and he did quite well. The goal is to wean his oxygen and then try to get him off of it during the day. If we can do that we will move to weaning at night. If he handles that he will order a sleep study and makes sure his O2 and CO2 levels are good and then we can get the trach out. He feels like we might be able to do this by the time he turns one. I can't tell you how much this would change our lives. We stay so busy with his care even with nurses that we are more exhausted than ever and I am sure that it will only get more difficult. I am going to head back to work on Feb. 6 which will be great because it is time but it will be hard to leave LaVona. I think that being a stay-at-home is a difficult job in itself much less taking care of Brodie. We went to see the surgeon Monday and he said that he thinks he is getting over pneumonia. He said that the blood in the trach was from that. Scary to hear that word but we are encouraged that it did not land us in the hospital. We also talked to him about the g tube (feeding tube in the belly). He feels that he needs it and we agreed so he will probably have that surgery in an month an a half. The tube in his nose came out the other day and it was difficult to get back in because now that he is older and more aware he likes to fight us. If he was not a fighter he would not be here but come on Brodie don't fight your parents. The surgeon just wants to wait until the pneumonia fully clears up. On these two appts. we were reminded of what amazing men these two doctors were. We will forever be blessed just by knowing them and thankful that Brodie was in their care. Please continue to pray for Brodie and our family. Please pray especially for LaVona and I as we transition into our "new normal". When we actually can find time to reflect on theses past few months we are always amazed at the outpouring of love and support and we thank each of you for making this a wonderful journey and for teaching us what life is all about. Hope everyone is making the best of 2012 and I will try to keep this updated more often.