Saturday, March 28th

Good day for Clay with a few ups and downs. Thanks to Liezy for all of the caring attention. Clay was sleeping soundly at 6:00 a.m. this morning when we arrived for the first visit. He was receiving a breathing treatment through his tracha tube. As soon as it finished the respiratory therapist wanted to clean out his airway, this triggered his gag reflex and he was quickly sick at his stomach. What a rough way to start the day. We helped get him cleaned up and he promptly went back to sleep to get a little more rest before his big day really started. At the 8:00 visit the Occupational therapist came in and exercised both of his hands and arms. She then had him do his mouth exercises and finished up by moving his head and neck. He had a good workout and was now ready for his wound care and dressing change. When Deidra and I arrived at 11:00 he was in fresh bandages and the physical therapist were ready to have him take a walk. We helped get him ready and he set on the edge of the bed, and then with Mom's help he walked from his bed down to the end of the Burn ICU. This was the opposite direction from Kermit's room and he was able to look out the 6th floor window and see a sunny blustery day. He did not appear to be very interested in his view of Dallas. We helped him turn and walk back to his room. Upon arrival Dad was treated to a very special moment. The nurse had placed a rocking chair in his room and she said that I could hold Clay in my lap if I wanted. What kind of question was that? I have been wanting to hold him everyday since the evening of February 14th. We hooked him back up to all his monitors and tubes and he sat in my lap for forty or fifty minutes. He had his feet propped up in Mom's lap and she was feeding him a steady dose of ice chips, apple juice, and almond milk. Liezy let us stay an extra hour and hold and interact with him for the entire time. If she had told us we could hold him until midnight we probably would have stayed. We don't know if Clay enjoyed his sitting but we know it did worlds of good for a Mom and Dad that have been needing to hold their little boy for a long time. The rest of his day was pretty uneventful. He was worn out from all of his morning activities and slept through most of the afternoon visits. His Uncle Grady and Aunt Jenae stopped through Dallas on their way south to their new home in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They went into a couple of visits with Clay. The grafts on the back of Clay's head were not completely successful. They do not know what percentage actually adhered but there may have to be some more grafts done in this area. Clay had a busy day and it was quite a milestone for his parents. We are grateful for all of the progress he has made. Carson and Cody spent their day here at the Ronald McDonald House with family. We hope everyone has a good Sunday. Thanks to all.