Major steps in the right direction

Last night Sam slept fairly well.  The nurse was kind enough to keep many of the waking events combined instead of in many separate instances throughout the night.  Some progress is that this morning Sam's lips looked much better.  However he still was having a hard time not screaming while he pees.  The nurses suggested adding Morphine on top of his Oxycodene meds to help with the pain.  I suggested that instead, we simply schedule him to urinate about an hour after each Oxycodene administration.

That seemed to work better and in fact, this evening, the pain has practically disappeared in that area.   He just stands there while I hold this little container for him to pee into (which the staff want him to use so they can know exactly how much he is peeing).  He just continues to watch his movie and doesn't even whine.  I've never been so glad to hold a pee bucket for someone.

This morning the attending Dr suggested we consider trying the feeding tube again, even after yesterday's ordeal with it.  I informed the Dr about my little agreement with Sam and he said, "How many of these chocolate milks do you think he will need to satisfy his daily requirement?"  I did a quick calculation in my head and I knew he had me on this.  I blurted out "Six".  He looked at me with a smirk and said,  "Wow, you're right."  That does sound like a huge mountain to climb considering he hadn't even had a single carton in a full day, and we had to go through six?!  Here's the nutrition label for just one individual serving carton.

This morning we really tried to get a headstart on this goal and when I left at 11:30 he had gone through 1 and was 1/4 into another.  I told Cathi of the goal and challenged her to really try to hit at least 5 and then we could argue our case with the Dr.  After spending nearly 6 hours at work I called and he had only finished another one.  So we were at about 2 1/2 milks at that point.

I convinced Cathi to let me take the night shift tonight.  So I was on a mission with Sam,  Two full chocolate milks, hopefully more.  We watched Bugs Life and "Turner and Hooch", which he loved.  Who doesn't love big dogs.

Sam is now feeling much better.  Less in pain,
and much more responsive.  Still far from
being completely normal.  He's still got
a long way to go. 

Throughout the evening we worked on sips of chocolate milk and after a little whining here and there, we rediscussed the options and explained the whole feeding tube in detail with him, encouraging him to take that route, because it really would be easier.  But after yesterday's traumatic incident, he wouldn't even reconsider.  Even though he was so sick of that stuff, he said he wanted more.  Right now we're done for the night and he's finally asleep after having fully completed 4 cartons.  Short of the goal of 6, but a major step in the right direction anyway.  I'm gonna definitely try to defend little Sam's case for not having another nurse attempt to stick that thing up his nose and down his throat only to have it tickle his throat and never successfully make that trip into his stomach.  If I could be guaranteed that the procedure would be successful and that it would take less than 5 minutes.  I'd say let's go for it, but they can't guarantee it.  So as long as Sam shows the determination to really try and make such big improvements in his caloric intake,  I say, let's give the boy a say!

Some of Sam's visitors today included:  Grandma and Grandpa Low, Grandma Gridley and Russ, Kris, Lindsey, Summer and Ryan Sampson, Sister Woodrow (his Primary President), and neighbors Erika and Wyatt Dangel. Not sure who else might have come during the day when I was at work.  Lots of supportive phone calls and kind acts for the kids at home.

Everyone has been so wonderful asking for what they can do to help and stepping up to transport and watch after the other Gridley kids and providing meals.  Sure is nice to have such wonderful family and friends!

I'm so thankful for all the prayers for our Sam.  I'm sure they are a major reason for why it was such a great day today and why he was able to make sure fantastic progress!  Thank you!