G-Tube Surgery

Micah had surgery to put in a feeding tube this morning.  It went very well.  We were reassured that it's a very routine  surgery (we knew that) and they do them all the time.  But of course it's not routine to us and Micah went in fairly anxious.
But now he's recovering back in his room with the aid of some morphine and after some time and rest (and more morphine) he'll try a tubefeeding later today.  The pain is still significant at this point.

He will have to stay for at least a couple of days to make sure everything is working like it's supposed to. Then they'll add a regular diet and make sure he does well with that before he can go home.

The look on his face during early recovery seemed to contain several emotions.  But mostly he seemed to be protecting his incision and looking upset like "this isn't what I thought it would be like".  I have to assume it would be a little freaky to have a port in your belly. Don't you?

I'm sure you have questions.  I did. Feel free to ask.

Up To Our Eyeballs and Celebrating

We've entered a very busy season in our lives:  Holidays, end of the school year, finals, colds (including mine), makeup homework for sick kids, Spring cleaning, trips to and from and to and from the hospital but most of all graduation. 

Friday, June 8th is the North Marion High School commencement ceremony.  Micah completed his standardized tests and then his GED and is walking with his class during commencement.  While not the usual path to high school completion, we are still very excited for Micah as he crosses this threshold towards adulthood. 
Micah made the call himself  to pull out of the regular class day when he began to see that hospital stays were becoming more frequent and his chair time in class was inadequate at best.  An Oregon student must spend a certain number of days in the chair receiving instruction in order to receive credit in that class.  Even if a student shows up, takes the final and aces it proving proficiency they still can't earn the credit unless they've done the time.  It made it difficult for a student like Micah who spends several weeks of each term tucked in at the hospital unable to even attend the well run Doernbecher hospital school because of 'quarantine' protocols (see earlier blogs).  So after looking at all the options available he decided the GED was the best path for him.  Passing all the tests without difficulty (in-between hospital stays) he is now welcome to walk with his classmates.  We are very proud of him and his accomplishment.  At the time he made the decision we weren't sure it was the right one, so many thing he might miss as a result - but given how this last school year as gone for Micah medically - it turned out to be the best decision by far.  He is so ready to move on with the next stage.  One more major accomplishment checked off.  Congratulations Micah.  You've earned it.

MEDICAL UPDATE:  Micah has spent the better part of May and into June in the hospital. He came home for about a week and a half but I think he may have caught the cold that was going around the family and had to go back.  He just felt really crummy and short of breath so it was clear he needed more help.  He did get to come home again on Wednesday evening 6/6 but only so he could attend his commencement.  His doctor will call on Friday to check on his condition and Micah plans to return to the hospital on Saturday to continue his treatment.  We're all working to get him his best so he can have a g-tube surgery.  It has already been rescheduled once because he just wasn't well enough.  Micah really needs this to help him get the nutrition and calories he needs to stay healthier.  He struggles to stay above 110 lbs and that really isn't enough for a young man his size and age.  His caloric intake he needs per day (around 3500) in order to gain weight and to make sure those calories have more than adequate nutrition has been an ongoing battle for the last several years.  Micah has finally decided on his own that this is what's needed to help stabilize his health.  Prayers are welcomed - this is important and we would like to get on the other side of it.  Thank you!