Correction to Braden's schedule

We got a call today that Dr. Yang will not be available till the 30th. So, we rescheduled for Oct. 7th with a different surgeon. Her name is Dr. Gretchen Purcell. Hopefully, we will like her and the surgery will be scheduled soon. We will let you all know.

Braden's schedule

Next week Braden has a Urology appt. Oct. 7th. He also has an appt. with Dr. Yang (his surgeon) for a consult and hopefully a date for surgery. Braden started taking a new med for his reflux. We are hoping it will kick in soon. He has had a rough week. As usual though Braden gets through things very well and smiles alot despite his issues.

Today's GI visit

Braden's GI visit went well. Our Dr. is setting us up with a surgeon to do the G-tube and procedure to prevent reflux. Once we have a consult with the surgeon we should have a date for the surgery. We feel the surgery is in the best interest of Braden and will benefit him greatly. Thank you all for keeping Braden in your thoughts and prayers.

Braden's growth

Braden is now 22 inches long. He is really growing. I took some pictures in his new 3 month outfit from his Nana. He is looking like a little boy now not just a baby. :-)

Braden's weight

Braden is officially 10 pounds and wearing several of the 3 month clothing and outgrowing his newborn clothes.

Scope Procedure Update

We just got home from Braden's scope procedure this morning. He did very well considering he couldn't eat! The procedure showed that Braden's airway was blocked by a membrane(flap of skin) that had grown since his trach surgery . They were able to remove the flap of skin and some of the scar tissue from his airway. His acid reflux problem has irritated his airway so that is something we will have to discuss with the GI doctor on the next visit. Overall everything went very well. Hopefully we will be able to get this acid reflux problem under control soon. Braden's continued growth will help too. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!!

TEIS session

Well Braden had another TEIS session today and did amazingly well. He is holding his toys when she puts them in his hands. He was even grabbing at items on his own and holding them for longer periods of time. It was great. As you can see in the photos he held his head up high for tummy time. He use to do this in the NICU but has since been less inclined to do so... well today he was working hard at it. I was even shocked. We are so proud of him.

Braden also fits in his first camo outfit. :-) This one was a special gift from a friend of Stephen's. Stephen's friend is also named John in case you are wondering why it says Lil John. Pop John was happy to see the words Lil John as well.

This week

Well this week was pretty normal. Braden is now 9 lbs 10 ozs. At this rate we may see 10 pounds by the end of next week. I think in the new pictures you can tell he is plumping up. :-) Braden's poor little cheek was getting extremely irritated after being taped for so long. So, I had to take his NG tube out and switch it to the other side. It's amazing how much different he looks without the tube in his nose.

Don't forget that next Thursday is Braden's outpatient surgery to scope his trach area. He may have to spend one nite in the hospital depending on how easily he comes off the vent and out of sedation.

Update

Well I don't have any new pictures but I will do my best to change those camera batteries and get some on the site. Braden is now 9 lbs 5 ozs. He is steadily gaining weight which is wonderful. He also seems to love chewing on his hands lately. I have left the mittens off both hands and so far so good with no pulling on his NG tube. He loves it now that he can use his left hand. I also caught him holding on to his frog passy the other day. He hasn't done it again but I was truly amazed that he could grab it and pick it up. Braden is also reaching for items on a regular basis. He has started to grab on to things on occasion. Depending on his mood. Braden is also standing alot with assistance. He loves to be held up and he straightens his legs and when he is leaning on me he can even hold himself up for while without my holding on to him. Don't worry my hands are always close enough to catch him if he starts going down. He hasn't started bouncing just yet. It is so wonderful to see him change and develop new skills.

He is still having his reflux, some projectile vomit, and other issues which I think could be allergies. I will be calling the Pediatrician on Monday. But all in all he is still doing very well.

This weekend

Just to let everyone know we did take Braden to the ER on Sat. nite. We took him because we had some concerns about his trach. He just has signs of irritation which are common and they said he would be fine. So we were only there a few hours. Braden is home and doing well.

Braden also reached 9 lbs this weekend. He is now 9 lbs 1 oz. Also the rest of the family photos have been posted on my sister's blog. www.momentsbypaula.blogspot.com