Wow… How is it Friday already!?!?!? It seems like we just got back from Iowa and here we are with another weekend upon us. Luckily, Braelyn checks the blog frequently (as you can see) and she alerted Mom and Dad that it was most positively time for another update. So, here it goes:
One thing that we forgot to share in our excitement over our first family road trip was the result of Gwendolyn’s follow-up with her new Pulmonologist. It actually went much better than we could have expected. He said that after having observed “The Gwenner” both during her last hospital stay and at the office visit last week, it was evident to him that a tracheotomy is no longer part of her short-term prognosis. (Needless to say, Mom and Dad felt an immediate weight lifted from their shoulders when they heard that). There’s still some question about her congestion and occasional heavy breathing but the perspective taken by Gwen’s new doctor is that it isn’t a situation that’s causing her immediate distress, meaning the trach isn’t necessary.
The doctor actually gave us some homework in hopes that we can take Gwen off her evening oxygen supplementation. Each night we are documenting several criteria (i.e. Gwen’s blood/oxygen level, pulse, breathing, etc) while she sleeps. We alternate her so that we can chart how she does on her back, belly, right and left sides. Next week, we’ll fax the results to him and he’ll review it before we decide on what direction is best to take. Gwen will still have a follow-up sleep study upcoming as well but again, the Pulmonologist didn’t seem to make it sound like it was something that had a great deal of urgency tied to it.
Both Braelyn and Gwendolyn are done with daycare for the summer now. As a result, they enjoy their days with Mom. Some days are lazy ones at home while others are full of field trips to Target or Costco (fun, fun). One negative to this extended time at home is that Gwen is no longer able to receive her physical therapy in small increments at daycare. So, now she gets a singular hour session each week at home. Still, she seems to be doing just fine (you should see her stretch and move her legs now)… in fact, as you can tell she loves her some exercise ball!
One thing that we forgot to share in our excitement over our first family road trip was the result of Gwendolyn’s follow-up with her new Pulmonologist. It actually went much better than we could have expected. He said that after having observed “The Gwenner” both during her last hospital stay and at the office visit last week, it was evident to him that a tracheotomy is no longer part of her short-term prognosis. (Needless to say, Mom and Dad felt an immediate weight lifted from their shoulders when they heard that). There’s still some question about her congestion and occasional heavy breathing but the perspective taken by Gwen’s new doctor is that it isn’t a situation that’s causing her immediate distress, meaning the trach isn’t necessary.
The doctor actually gave us some homework in hopes that we can take Gwen off her evening oxygen supplementation. Each night we are documenting several criteria (i.e. Gwen’s blood/oxygen level, pulse, breathing, etc) while she sleeps. We alternate her so that we can chart how she does on her back, belly, right and left sides. Next week, we’ll fax the results to him and he’ll review it before we decide on what direction is best to take. Gwen will still have a follow-up sleep study upcoming as well but again, the Pulmonologist didn’t seem to make it sound like it was something that had a great deal of urgency tied to it.
Both Braelyn and Gwendolyn are done with daycare for the summer now. As a result, they enjoy their days with Mom. Some days are lazy ones at home while others are full of field trips to Target or Costco (fun, fun). One negative to this extended time at home is that Gwen is no longer able to receive her physical therapy in small increments at daycare. So, now she gets a singular hour session each week at home. Still, she seems to be doing just fine (you should see her stretch and move her legs now)… in fact, as you can tell she loves her some exercise ball!
Braelyn still hasn’t mastered crawling but she is a rolling fool. You can lay her on a blanket in the middle of the living room and in no time you’ll feel her tiny fingers tapping your foot. That girl is sure going to be a handful when she gets this whole movement thing down pat. Of course, all that activity leads to extra dirt and grime but that’s okay because that means she gets more baths (and subsequently we can wrap up “Brae Bear” in ducky robes like this:)
Well, we hope you enjoy your weekend as much as we will.Talk to you all soon!!!
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