Update

Cody is asleep right now. It hasn't been necessarily a good day, but not too bad of one either. Cody slept off and on last night. He started running a temperature during the night, so the nurse tech was in quite often taking his temperature. It never got to 101 so that saved him from a Tylenol suppository. Around 4 this morning he stood up at the side of the bed to weigh. Apparently the optimal time to weigh a patient is around 4 am. No joking... that's what the nurse said.

Cody was so desperate for some kind of liquid last night that his nurse finally gave into Cody's multiple requests for water. She brought him some sponge swabs in a cup of ice. He was given strict orders to only put the swabs in his mouth, not the ice. It wasn't long before I heard the crunching of ice. In nursing school we were told of patients who were NPO (nothing to eat or drink) and who were so desperate for fluids that they would actually drink the water from the toilet. Now, I don't think Cody's that desperate, but he was getting there! I had to take away his ice multiple times. I'd watch him hold the swab into the ice long enough for the ice to freeze to it and then he would sneak that piece of ice into his mouth. After a few pieces, I had to take away his ice for good. It just about broke my heart.

His surgeon came by this morning. He said Cody's labs looked good. He's going to repeat them in the morning. He explained to Cody that he's going to have his NG tube for several more days. Cody could have cried when he told him that. He's asked everyone new that has come into his room if he can have the tube out. However, the doctor did say Cody could have an 8 ounce cup of ice twice a day. AND... he could chew gum. Cody also had his catheter taken out. This afternoon he walked the halls. We have 3 more walking sessions ahead of us.

Overall he's doing ok. His spirits are very low. Part of that is just the physical aspects of the surgery... he's sore and hurting. He can't eat or drink. He's realized that his freshman year basketball season is over. It's quite possible that his golf season may be over as well. Only time will determine that one. He misses his friends. He lost his cell phone over the weekend, so we've ordered him a new one which should be delivered to the house this afternoon. Hopefully that will cheer him up. He'll soon have a tool to communicate with his friends.

Caden's doing ok. He made Cody a special valentine at school yesterday and gave it to Cody before he went to surgery. He asked Mike this morning if he could see Cody today after school. He's gone to daycare for a little while this afternoon and then he will be brought up here. He's doing well being shuffled around.

As for Mike and I, we're ok. Just taking this one day at a time and trying not to worry too much into the future. Mike returned to work today. I know it's probably hard on him not being here, but realistically and financially, one of us has to work.

Hopefully Cody will continue to do well. We've been put on a waiting list to move rooms. All day long we've listened to the soothing, healing sound of a..... jack hammer. Our hospital is in the middle of construction projects. I would imagine there is not a "good" time to jack hammer in a hospital, but man... enough is enough. The hammering started just as our surgeon made rounds and he was not pleased to say the least! He wanted us moved ASAP. Hopefully he will get his way on this one... soon. I don't know how Cody is sleeping through it! I'll email if we switch rooms so you will know where we are.

Guess this is all for now. I'd like to take a nap, but the jack hammering is just too much for me!

~jen