Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tuesday, June 2nd

Hello folks. DeeDee is having trouble making a wireless connection at the Ronald McDonald House so this is Dad stepping in from Olney. Clay had another good day. He seems to be on a roll and we are thankful for it. We expected a respiratory team today to downsize the trach. No luck they never arrived. The childlife specialist was available today and she let Cody spend some time with Clay in his room and in the play room. I'm sure the brothers enjoyed each others company. This afternoon Cody and Clay played some ball in the hall of the BACU. Physical therapy brought Clay a tricycle today and he road it up and down the hall and through an obstacle course that they had set up. After riding the trike she made him play a soccer type game where they kicked the ball back and forth. When Alicia the therapist left, Mom helped Clay back in bed and he said, "Whew, That was some serious therapy." He stayed in bed for a full 5 minutes and told his Mom he thought he would go ride that bike some more. Off he went. Dinner tonight was some hospital meatloaf. Clay told his mother that her meatloaf was number 1 but this was a close number 2 and he ate it up. He told his mother he was ready to use the toilet and he got up and went. He was pretty excited because he has not used one in over 100 days. He understands progress. Deidra feels like we are just biding our time. They want us to get the CPR class out of the way and then they should start seeing use on an outpatient basis. We do not know how many days each week will be dedicated to therapy. We appreciate all of the post and encouraging words. We are thankful for Clay's progress and every ones support. Good night.

12 comments:

  1. WOW! Clay is really making super progress these days and getting his appetite back, etc! Wonderful to hear of him doing all the little boy things like playing ball and riding a bike! That must really cheer your hearts! Glad for all your updates -- we follow along every day through your ups and downs, and now we hope it is just a steady progression of good days. Thoughts & prayers are with your family from all over the country, and we are among "the stand-bys" -- all feel so helpless but can just "stand by" and be an encouragement. Hugs to Clay and his brothers! Your friends in NH, Kent & Sharon Chappell (kchapl@comcast.net)

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  2. Wow! Sounds like Clay is on the fast track to recovery and we are so happy to hear it! May the good days continue for you all. Marcus Smith family

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  3. I love reading these wonderful posts they makes "night duty" so much more peaceful! ;o) I am happy to hear that mom still got number 1 ranking, it probably wouldn't sit to well if hospital food starting taking first place! I am sure you are looking forward to each new day and the progress they bring. I look forward to them with you. Love and prayers from Mexico, Missy

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  4. Hi friends! So glad to hear of Clay's good days and pray they continue. I am off for the summer. Please don't hesitate to call if I can ever help out in any way. We miss you all and think of you on a daily basis.

    With love and prayers,
    Alicia :)

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  5. Wow!! I am so thrilled to hear the news of Clay's steady progression!! I absolutely LOVE that little guy's sense of humor!! He and my 5-year-old granddaughter, Ashli, (she turned 5 yesterday) would be hilarious together!! She also has a wonderful sense of humor. Thank you again sooo much for your daily posts when I know how exhausted you are! You are the greatest and Clay is our hero!!
    Love, hugs and prayers!
    Rena

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  6. I think my favorite comment from this last posting was, "Clay understands progress"! I laughed out loud!! I guess going to the potty would seem pretty progressive if you haven't gone in 100 days! How precious is that? I am so thankful for all that progress. Each new victory brings Clay closer to home and life back to somewhat normal again. But then...what is normal? More what you are used to. I am thankful for the boys having that play time....not THAT's normal. God bless the Fite Five and I thank you so very much for taking the time to see that someone writes to us of the daily happenings. I am very interested and would call you on the phone if I could. Much love and prayers, Carolyn

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  7. I see a blunder in my remarks. I meant to say,
    I am thankful for the boys having that play time...."NOW" THAT's normal. Just had to correct that one. Love, CAN

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  8. It is absolutely so special to read of Clay's therapy and the way the therapists make it fun. I am reminded of our study in I Cor last week that lets us know God doesn't give us more than we can handle. I know Chance & DeeDee heard this many times in the early days of Clay's hospitalization. He gave strength - not just to Mom & Dad, but to Clay - and even to his brothers. That is still happening today and it's wonderful to see the progress. We love you all, Dawn & Pam

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  9. All of this progress is so encouraging! Wonderful!! Before you know it you'll be posting from Olney! :)

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  10. Each day keeps bringing a SMILE to my face as I read your posts! I am so happy Clay keeps progressing everyday- he is such a fighter!!! :)

    The Woods Family, Quanah

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  11. How exciting! Clays progress sounds terrific. Keep the updates coming; even way up here in Canada I am wishing your family well.

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  12. So happy to read the great news, I just caught up on the posts. I still remember having to wear my pressure garments and having to stay out of the sun. For a kid seeing all my friends playing it can be hard but mom & dad explained what needed to be done and why.

    I guess it was mom staying firm to the Docs orders that people tell me now that they don't notice my scars when they first see me.

    I have many pics, general family and school, with me in big hats and the pressure garments and from the smile on my face I feel I adjusted easily enough.

    As for staying out of the sun, I try and do that now just to avoid the wrinkles :) I'm sure you've been told this, burns don't sweat at least mine don't so that's another reason to stay out of the sun.

    I think I had my last surgery when I was 12 or 13 somewhere in there. It was to release my ear from the side of my head.

    It's really weird, I'm looking at my thighs to try and see where the most recent graph patch was taken for that last surgery and I can't find it, in fact I'm noticing that the scars from the graph surgeries are very faded out. It seems like not that long ago I could easily distinguish the outline. Now not so much. Always healing, just like Clay. Stay stong, don't be scared, the doctors wouldn't send him home if they didn't have faith in you.

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