Re-visited

This week Benjamin and I

Re-visited a familiar place....

It really is a wonderful hospital.

With wonderful people working there,

Some of which we consider friends, especially friends of Ben's.

Although, not somewhere I like to re-visit.

Now do NOT become alarmed...

We only visited for a few hours.

Benjamin has been having a few mild issues.

Issues that required a quick trip to visit his Dr.

and have a few tests.

Things are looking okay.

Normally, when he has an appointment we now get to go here...

So much closer and more convenient.

But, our Doc was on call uptown and wanted to see us then.

So up we went.

While there I ran into a friend.

A friend whose daughter is going through a terrible time.

I felt so much love and compassion for her.

All alone, with no family support.

It really brought tears to my eyes.

I hope and pray her trials become lighter soon.

And that I can be a support to her.

Also while there...

Ben had to make a trip to the third floor..

his home for many months over many years

to say hello to familiar faces and friends.

Most of which were amazed by his growth

and healthy look. ;)

He loves to visit.

He also has a contact who has told him she will give him job

as soon as he is 18 and has his CNA.

Head of pediatric nursing for the surgical floor.

a friend he made during his stays there.

We ran into her, and again she said come see me when your 18.

He can't wait.

He looks forward to working there before his mission,

before/during nursing school

and hopefully after.

He wants to pay it forward.

Be the type of nurse that he loved

to other kids.

We think it will be the perfect career choice for him.

Tubeless

It's true!!
After 112 days, two stays in the hospital, one for 24 days,
another major surgery, an abscess the size of a softball,
pain, pain and more pain,
Benjamin is TUBE free.
His NJ tube
(feeding tube placed into through his nose far into his small intestine)
accidentally became dislodged one week ago today.
With some small convincing from me...
they decided to remove it instead of replacing it.
If he could maintain or gain weight it could stay out.
Yesterday he saw the GI and has gained 2 ounces
...without the tube.

Woo Hoo!!!!!
He also went back to school full time Monday. :)
He is so happy to be back in the saddle.
He is eating anything he wants, and everything he wants.
All is well. Hopefully, he is done being a sick boy.

We truly feel the Lord's blessings in our lives,
and are grateful for the power of the priesthood
and the power of prayer.

I will post a picture of the new improved, fuller faced Benjamin soon.

Diet Dips

I have been on a diet.
It's true for ten weeks.
I have lost 15 pounds.
It has been going great.
My goal 25 lbs by Christmas.
Only ten more to go.
Then at Christmas...a new goal.

Let me just say hospital food is NOT conducive to dieting.
Stress is not conducive to dieting.
I have a bad feeling.
I am hoping to maintain my current weight loss during our long hospital stay.
I really don't want to have a dip in my diet.
I always try to make the healthy choice, but then the stress and worry get me.
And a chocolate chip cookie or a donut look might fine.
HELP!! :)

I am praying for the shortest hospital stay possible.
For Ben and for my shrinking hips.

Fantastic Formula

This is the menu of choice now a days,

Formula that is.

Benjamin had a NJ tube placed successfully

on Tuesday.

For those of you not familiar with medical terms

this is a feeding tube placed through the nose

into the small intestine.

They tried to place it on Monday unsuccessfully.

This is how the conversation went with Ben after the

failed procedure.

Ben: (feeling face) Where's the tube?

Mom: They weren't able to get it in.

Ben: They weren't?

Mom: No.

Ben: What are they going to do?

Mom: Try again tomorrow.

Ben: Oh, Okay

Ben: Hi Stephanie, Hi Jennifer, Hi Emily.

(These are the three nurses hanging around)

-Pause-

Ben: So where's the tube?

Mom: They weren't able to get it in.

Ben: They weren't

Mom: No (smile)

Ben: What they ganna do now?

Mom: Try again tomorrow.

Ben: Oh, hi Stephanie, (looking at Jennifer)

Do you like to be called Jen or Jennifer?

(looking at Emily) Your Emily right?

-Pause-

Ben: So they didn't get the tube in...

and so on, and so on. It was quite funny really.

He repeated the same conversation like 4 times.

Wish I recorded it, he would laugh now.

Can I just say how much I love this kid?!!

I can because it's my blog and I can write about whatever I want.

He is the most amazing, positive, loving and over wonderful son ever.

He hardly ever complains.

The nurses, all of them constantly tell us how great he is.

We have nurses, residents and Doctors

dropping by all the time just to say hi

and see how he is.

Honestly, if I had to go through what he has and is

I would be grouchy and full of self pity.

Not him.

Of course he wants it to be over and to be

"A Normal Kid". (his words)

I tell him, "you will".

"Just keep having faith."

He replies: "I DO and I WILL!"

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jig!

AT LAST!!!

Benjamin is home from the hospital.

24 days. 95 pounds.

Even better than being home...

he is home without tubes or PICC.

This alone is worth a cheer.

We were so ecstatic when he suddenly started progressing

to the point the NG tube could be pulled on Wednesday.

He began clear liquids on Thursday,

and all went well.

Then it was just a journey through the food chain, to home.

Hooray.

Now.....

If the problem is fixed permanently

Life will be Wonderful.

The surgeons feel somewhat optimistic.

Optimistic enough to say 4% chance of recurrence.

Not Bad.

Time will tell.

I have faith. :)

either way..

It's good to have the whole family in one place again.

I need a vacation. :)