Well today we got our first shake up of life at home. Stacy called me at work and told me we needed to take Greyson to Tacoma to see one of his Doctors. He has developed some granuloma tissue which is the bodies reaction to a foreign object (in this case his g-tube). When Stacy called to talk to them about it they told us we needed to come in right away and get it taken care of, as if you leave it alone it can turn into a much bigger problem, and ultimately could lead to significant scarring later. So I came home from work and we loaded all of his stuff up with all the batteries and headed off to Tacoma. The treatment was no big deal, done by the nurse, and hopefully will take care of it. Greyson was very good and really only cried when they put the lidacane on it to numb it (it was cold). We were very proud of him and I tried to get Stacy to stop and get some ice cream to shoot down his feeding tube but she said that was really not something we should do. With this type of problem (the granuloma, not the lack of ice cream) sometimes you have to do this treatment a few times, and sometimes you have to keep doing it as long as you have the foreign object. We are hoping this will take care of it completely and we can be done with it.
Greyson also required A LOT of suctioning today and some of it was a little yellow (not good, sign of infection). We adjusted his settings and he seems to be doing better tonight. His secretions were thin and clear or white (how they should look). The company is still struggling to find all the nursing we need, so tomorrow we are on our own from 7am till 11pm. (I think that is when the night nurse is coming, not positive but I know she is working the night shift). I am going to work from home so I can be a back up to Stacy since this will be our first prolonged period home alone with him.
So I played Dr. tonight and turned down his oxygen, which I think was the right thing to do. Not sure if I’m supposed to or not, but I’ve been in the hospital a long time and watched so I thought I’d give it a try. Basically my rationale for doing it was pretty solid. See in the hospital he was running 3/4 a liter of oxygen. Well when we showed up with all our stuff to bring him home I realized our stuff only goes in 1/2 or 1 liter. So I set it at 1 liter and that is where he has been. I figured better to give him a little more than he needs than a little less. Anyway he has been stating great since we brought him home so tonight I decided to try him on 1/2 liter. We are keeping our eyes on him (as we always do anyways) but so far he has been doing just fine. So if anyone needs a medical consult I’m availible, and my rates are quite a bit lower than what the hospital charges! (a notarized medical waiver releasing me from all liability will be required before any consultation can commence).
Hi, wow, sorry about the crash trip to Tacoma, but glad to know the treatment was done asap. Yes, yes, yes to everything you said, except for the ice cream and Westfall Medical Consultations Inc.!!! I’ve been in touch with the PSA bunch, hope to be available to you soon. Sorry about tomorrow, I could have helped for several hours. Call me if I can do anything else to help. ak
One thing for sure there is no better mom than Stacy and I think you are a pretty good dad as well. What a stressful day having to go back to Tacoma, but the great thing was that you all came home together. I am so glad his secretions are clear tonight because that will always be a concern. Tomorrow will be a big day for the two of you but probably kind of nice only having your family in the house for a little while. Hope you both get some sleep and take vitamins that is my free advice for today. Love you guys. Mom
Wow what an exciting day. It seems to have turned out OK though, and you have logged in one more thing for your medical training. I know how very hard it is not to get to excited but it sounds like you did just what needed to be done. Packed up and went in to see the doctor. We will be praying that with each passing day things will get better and better. I am so sorry the nursing care isn’t coming together as well as we had hoped. You know if you need Gram to come, my bags are packed. God is watching over you and will give you strength you never knew you could have. We have thanked God so many, many times for Greyson and for the powerful message of hope, and courage you both have experienced and shared with so many others through Greyson’s story. How could this story not touch the lives of those who read it? He has touched our lives in so many ways…seeing a miracle happen right before our eyes and knowing full well God is in control, seeing how God has worked through your lives to touch others and bring them to know him better, experiencing the joy of our first grandchild, learning so much through the blog, seeing how many people truly love you three so much. All this makes my heart swell so with love, admiration and pride. I hope tonight will be restful and the scare of today will soon be behind you. Sleep well Greyson, Grammie is praying for you, your Mom and Dad. Love you so… Mom and Dad
What a blessing to see pictures of Greyson in his home and to hear stories of being cared for by parents sleeping nearby!!! We are so happy for the Westfall Family and have been so impressed with your faithfulness. What an example!
Bob, Stacy & Greyson… YOU ARE LOVED!
trent, lynne & the crew.
Dr. Bob I know….but who is Boppy? You will have to fill me in on that one. Glad everything went well in Tacoma. We will be praying like you said that Greyson will not have any more trouble with this granulation. As for the ice cream…..unfortunately for you Bob I think Stacy was right. I hope everything goes ok for you guys today I will be thinking and praying for you. You guys might actually enjoy it just being at home alone with Greyson! We will pray for a eventful day but one that just gets a lot of holding, reading , playing time in. No outside medical events today…even though that would probably be ok with Dr. Bob in the house 🙂
Love You,
Tam