Back in the Saddle

(If that's what you call a hospital bed)
details at my family blog.
Ben and I miss you!

Ben's NEW Ride

Just in time for summer.

I LOVE this jogger.

It's lightweight,

easily portable,

comfortable for Ben,

and SUPER easy to use.

Daily Baths

There's NOTHING like the feeling after a bath.

I love the way that Ben looks and smells.

Today was one of those days that warranted such an activity.

You see...Ben has chronic diarrhea.

He's had it since Utah when he got sick.

I blame it on all those antibiotics.

The problem?
It's been 2 1/2 weeks since he stopped his antibiotics now.

I'm waiting for his normal bowel schedule to return.

I debated whether or not I should

document said events with pictures.

I figured you would appreciate me for that.

It's comparable to a nuclear explosion,

and it happens on a daily basis.

I'm beginning to wonder if it's Ben's way of asking for a bath.

I've told him there are better ways.

Ben's New Sweater Vest...

Ben asked for a new sweater...

(for his birthday)

Mimi delivered.

Doesn't he look so HANDSOME?

Thanks Mimi!

HOME!

Ben is HOME.

It doesn't look like he's excited...

but I promise, he is.

He'll definitely miss all his friends

in the PICU,

but there's NO place like home.

Slow And Steady Wins The Race...

Right?
That's the course they are taking with Ben.

Trach Collar by day...Vent at night.

The docs feel like they are pushing Ben too hard,

so instead they will rest his lungs at night.

He's just STILL not ready for 24 hours of trach collar.

This picture was taken this morning.

Ben still has his PICC line in.

Once a week they change his dressing.

The area has to be sterile.

Hence the mask.

Stevie and Ben

I LOVE this picture of Stevie's hands with Ben's.

It was her request.

She loves to hold him,

but since he's covered with wires,

his hands will have to do for now.

I captured this a few minutes ago.

Such a sweet picture.

Stevie has been with us since Wednesday.

It's been such a treat to have her here.

Ben's exhausted from being off the vent all day.

You can see it in this picture.

He was supposed to be off the vent all night too.

His lungs said no.

They needed a rest.

His whole left side and right lower lobes are down.

Such a discouraging setback.

One more day...

that's what I keep telling myself.

One more day...