Hello Everyone!! I wanted to give some updates since I haven't made a post in quite awhile.
I am back to work which has been nice to get back into our normal routine, but has also been difficult with trying to balance Brennen's feeding needs with household duties and duties of work too. But, we are surviving!
I am getting the hang of pureeing Brennen's food. I am gettinig quicker at it and my ability to get the food smooth is also improving. It is just very time consuming. I usually puree enough food to last the week and then try to save the majority of my pureeing for the weekend.
Brennen continues to eat really well at home. He will tell me when he is hungry, which is still something that continues to take me by surprise when he says it. Prior to our therapy, he would never tell me when he was hungry. Honestly, I don't think he ever knew what that feeling was. He had a lot of stomach pain and discomfort, and I don't think he could tell if he was hungry or not.
We had a wonderful Christmas. Our family came to our house this year because it was much easier with Brennen's eating schedule to have it at our house.
We are continuing with our weekly appointments at the Hospital, although we have had to miss 2 of the 3 appointments scheduled due to illness. First, I got the flu and then Brennen had a sinus infection. For me, I think I was just exhausted. The first weekend we were home, I got sick. But everyone is doing fine now.
The feeding team is holding off on trying anything new until after the holidays. We will also begin potty training sometime in January.
Well, thanks for checking in on Brennen's progress and I will update in January as we begin adding new foods.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
We are officially done with being an in-patient! Today was our last day for being admitted to the Day Hospital. We will now continue with our weekly outpatient appointments.
I feel relieved and exhausted at the same time. I think the stress of the entire 10 weeks is catching up with me. I am glad I have the weekend before returning to work on Monday.
This program has been an answer to so many prayers. It is amazing to see Brennen's progress now from when we started the feeding program 10 weeks ago. Here is what Brennen is eating at this point in time: (all items at this point are pureed- unless noted)
*chicken *ham *turkey *hot dog *sweet potatoes *green beans *carrots *mashed potatoes *mixed vegetables *peaches *pears *mixed fruit
Items not pureed:
*applesauce *baby rice cereal *yogurt *plain potato chips *gluten free pretzles *shredded cheddar cheese
Quite a difference from before we started!
It is also amazing that Brennen and I have both remained healthy throughout the entire therapy. Another answer to prayer. Thank you to our family and friends who respected the fact that we needed to be hermits for awhile!
Now that we have completed the daily feeding therapy program, I will probably not be posting everyday as I had been. However, I would like to keep everyone updated on Brennen's progress because I know there have been many people invested in Brennen's therapy as well. I plan on making weekly updates to inform our family and friends on how Brennen is doing with his transition to his typical daily routine.
Thanks again everyone for checking in on Brennen's progress and for your thoughts and prayers during his therapy. We have felt the support and prayers and that has helped to get us through.
Our therapy worked and I am so glad we were able to give Brennen the wings he needed to fly. He is a different boy now from when we started. This is really a new beginning for Brennen and for our family.
I am so excited for him...
I feel relieved and exhausted at the same time. I think the stress of the entire 10 weeks is catching up with me. I am glad I have the weekend before returning to work on Monday.
This program has been an answer to so many prayers. It is amazing to see Brennen's progress now from when we started the feeding program 10 weeks ago. Here is what Brennen is eating at this point in time: (all items at this point are pureed- unless noted)
*chicken *ham *turkey *hot dog *sweet potatoes *green beans *carrots *mashed potatoes *mixed vegetables *peaches *pears *mixed fruit
Items not pureed:
*applesauce *baby rice cereal *yogurt *plain potato chips *gluten free pretzles *shredded cheddar cheese
Quite a difference from before we started!
It is also amazing that Brennen and I have both remained healthy throughout the entire therapy. Another answer to prayer. Thank you to our family and friends who respected the fact that we needed to be hermits for awhile!
Now that we have completed the daily feeding therapy program, I will probably not be posting everyday as I had been. However, I would like to keep everyone updated on Brennen's progress because I know there have been many people invested in Brennen's therapy as well. I plan on making weekly updates to inform our family and friends on how Brennen is doing with his transition to his typical daily routine.
Thanks again everyone for checking in on Brennen's progress and for your thoughts and prayers during his therapy. We have felt the support and prayers and that has helped to get us through.
Our therapy worked and I am so glad we were able to give Brennen the wings he needed to fly. He is a different boy now from when we started. This is really a new beginning for Brennen and for our family.
I am so excited for him...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December 1, 2009
Wow..it feels like forever since I have posted on Brennen's progress... I was going to post over the weekend, but then became very preoccupied with getting my house back in shape! (9 weeks away from home had taken its toll!) We have made it to Week 10!!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Brennen ate turkey, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and peaches (all foods were pureed). He did wonderful! Even with the differences in textures from how smooth the kitchen staff at Day Hospital purees to what my processor can do... He still did an amazing job with eating his meals very calmly all weekend.
We had a wonderful weekend at home. It was so nice to not have to rush back up to Cleveland Sunday afternoon. I loved being home and getting laundry done in my own machine and not feel as though I have to babysit my clothes for fear somebody might move them out of the machine!
It was great to have the weekend for Brennen and Sophia to be together. They are kind of going through an adjustment period of being together again.
We were really able to see Brennen's progress this weekend. We went to my brother's birthday party on Sunday. There was a large group of people there and Brennen handled that very well. Tim and I were talking about how last year at this time, he would have had a very difficult time with that. We can really tell that he is beginning to feel better. He is eating so much better and that is allowing him to be able to handle life's experiences better too. I am sure as Brennen matures, he will be able to handle more too.
Life is good right now!
My sister-in-law made the drive with me today so she can feed him and receive input as needed from the feeding team. She has already fed him once today and is doing a great job. Brennen sat and ate very calmly for her.
It's another long day today but I am comforted by the fact that I get to drive home and that I don't have to spend the night up here tonight.
I will post again on Thursday..Have a good day everyone and thanks for checking on Brennen's progress!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Brennen ate turkey, sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables, and peaches (all foods were pureed). He did wonderful! Even with the differences in textures from how smooth the kitchen staff at Day Hospital purees to what my processor can do... He still did an amazing job with eating his meals very calmly all weekend.
We had a wonderful weekend at home. It was so nice to not have to rush back up to Cleveland Sunday afternoon. I loved being home and getting laundry done in my own machine and not feel as though I have to babysit my clothes for fear somebody might move them out of the machine!
It was great to have the weekend for Brennen and Sophia to be together. They are kind of going through an adjustment period of being together again.
We were really able to see Brennen's progress this weekend. We went to my brother's birthday party on Sunday. There was a large group of people there and Brennen handled that very well. Tim and I were talking about how last year at this time, he would have had a very difficult time with that. We can really tell that he is beginning to feel better. He is eating so much better and that is allowing him to be able to handle life's experiences better too. I am sure as Brennen matures, he will be able to handle more too.
Life is good right now!
My sister-in-law made the drive with me today so she can feed him and receive input as needed from the feeding team. She has already fed him once today and is doing a great job. Brennen sat and ate very calmly for her.
It's another long day today but I am comforted by the fact that I get to drive home and that I don't have to spend the night up here tonight.
I will post again on Thursday..Have a good day everyone and thanks for checking on Brennen's progress!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
I am writing early on this rainy Wednesday morning. Brennen and Tim are still sleeping. In a few minutes I'll need to wake them up to get ready to go to the hospital. We have a short day at the hospital today and then it's back to the RMH to finish cleaning and loading up the car to come home.
Lots to do before we can enjoy the weekend!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! We have lots to be thankful for as I'm sure you do as well.
p.s. I'll try and post this weekend to let you know how Brennen's first Thanksgiving meal went.
Lots to do before we can enjoy the weekend!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! We have lots to be thankful for as I'm sure you do as well.
p.s. I'll try and post this weekend to let you know how Brennen's first Thanksgiving meal went.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Pictures
Hi everyone.....daddy here. Well, here it is. Chrissy and I put this slideshow together last night, it's a glimpse into some of the happier moments over the last 2 months, and gives everyone a chance to meet all the wonderful people that helped Brennen get back on track with his eating.
You'll notice him smiling in a lot of the photos, but please don't think that this entire time was full of joy. There was just as much heartache, tears, frustration and hopelessness. We're grateful that the good times have outweighed the bad times lately, but know that there's still a lot of obstacles to overcome....and losing the everyday support of the feeding team will present another challenge.
Again, Chrissy and I are just so grateful to all our family and friends, it's been a long last few months, but we think everyone is stronger for it, and most importantly, Brennen is on the right track with his eating.
God is good, ALL the time.
Grab your popcorn and enjoy the slideshow. The song you'll hear is "By Your Side" by Tenth Avenue North.
-Tim
Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009
Brennen is doing very well today with eating. He continues to make the nurses laugh everyday.
Yesterday he was goofing around during his feeding time and I told him that I was going to have to hold his hands if he doesn't take his bite. Ms. Cheryl came into the room to help and then we realized that he had already eaten his required amount of protein for that feed so he didn't have to take any more bites of chicken. Brennen replied, "Whew! That was close!" I thought Cheryl was going to lose it! She started laughing and then I was laughing. She gets a big kick out of him and the stuff he says.
I think they are going to miss him!
Tonight Tim is coming up to spend the night at the RM House with us. Miss Sophia will be getting spoiled at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We will begin packing and cleaning the room to be able to check out tomorrow afternoon. Yay!!
On Wednesday we have a half-day of therapy and then we can return to RM House to finish cleaning and check out. I am so excited to be able to spend the long weekend with BOTH of my kiddos!
We can do this!! We have a grand total of 2 1/2 days of in-patient therapy to go!
Yesterday he was goofing around during his feeding time and I told him that I was going to have to hold his hands if he doesn't take his bite. Ms. Cheryl came into the room to help and then we realized that he had already eaten his required amount of protein for that feed so he didn't have to take any more bites of chicken. Brennen replied, "Whew! That was close!" I thought Cheryl was going to lose it! She started laughing and then I was laughing. She gets a big kick out of him and the stuff he says.
I think they are going to miss him!
Tonight Tim is coming up to spend the night at the RM House with us. Miss Sophia will be getting spoiled at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We will begin packing and cleaning the room to be able to check out tomorrow afternoon. Yay!!
On Wednesday we have a half-day of therapy and then we can return to RM House to finish cleaning and check out. I am so excited to be able to spend the long weekend with BOTH of my kiddos!
We can do this!! We have a grand total of 2 1/2 days of in-patient therapy to go!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, Nov. 23, 2009
This is my last Monday post - Wow!! Very hard to believe we are at this point. It feels as though it has gone fast, although I must say that I am more than ready to be done.
I do have some reflections of our little journey:
First concerning Cleveland Traffic:
*Cleveland drivers are a mechanics dream - drive fast then brake hard. Auto repair shops must make a killing in Cleveland.
*Red lights are but a mere suggestion.
*You better have your foot ready on the gas for when that light turns green or you'll get honked at!
And last, but not least...
And certainly more importantly...
*The Lord answers prayer. A mother knows when something isn't quite right with her child and it is so important to keep pursuing to find the help you know your child needs.
We could not have come this far without the help we have received here at the hospital. They have been so thorough with Brennen's care. Nothing was overlooked. Our medical bills are beginning to roll in at this point and it really has been worth every cent.
Today in feeding, Brennen gagged on some carrots that were not quite smooth enough and then ended up vomitting. That was the first time he has done that in awhile. He recovered though and ate his peaches and drank some milk. He's so sweet..after he threw up, he asked, "Mommy, what happened to me?".
I am ready to be completed with this part of our therapy. But, part of me hates to lose the support at the same time. It is nice being here because feeding difficulties are the norm. No one questions the fact that Brennen is almost 4 and is eating pureed foods. It isn't seen as being anything out of the ordinary.
I will miss the nurses and the kitchen staff who purees all of Brennen's meals and packages them into neat and organized little containers.
Well, if nothing else, we have taught everyone (and ourselves) a little more about Celiac Disease and hypersensitivities.
Thanks for following along everyone.. I am working on a slide of some pictures to show of all of the wonderful people who have helped us during our stay. Well, to be fair, it will actually be Tim who will be working on the slide show. I just took the pictures!
I will post more tomorrow!
I do have some reflections of our little journey:
First concerning Cleveland Traffic:
*Cleveland drivers are a mechanics dream - drive fast then brake hard. Auto repair shops must make a killing in Cleveland.
*Red lights are but a mere suggestion.
*You better have your foot ready on the gas for when that light turns green or you'll get honked at!
And last, but not least...
And certainly more importantly...
*The Lord answers prayer. A mother knows when something isn't quite right with her child and it is so important to keep pursuing to find the help you know your child needs.
We could not have come this far without the help we have received here at the hospital. They have been so thorough with Brennen's care. Nothing was overlooked. Our medical bills are beginning to roll in at this point and it really has been worth every cent.
Today in feeding, Brennen gagged on some carrots that were not quite smooth enough and then ended up vomitting. That was the first time he has done that in awhile. He recovered though and ate his peaches and drank some milk. He's so sweet..after he threw up, he asked, "Mommy, what happened to me?".
I am ready to be completed with this part of our therapy. But, part of me hates to lose the support at the same time. It is nice being here because feeding difficulties are the norm. No one questions the fact that Brennen is almost 4 and is eating pureed foods. It isn't seen as being anything out of the ordinary.
I will miss the nurses and the kitchen staff who purees all of Brennen's meals and packages them into neat and organized little containers.
Well, if nothing else, we have taught everyone (and ourselves) a little more about Celiac Disease and hypersensitivities.
Thanks for following along everyone.. I am working on a slide of some pictures to show of all of the wonderful people who have helped us during our stay. Well, to be fair, it will actually be Tim who will be working on the slide show. I just took the pictures!
I will post more tomorrow!
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