He's looking better every day!

Good morning everyone. We've started our day here on a positive note. They stopped the suction on Mathieu's NG tube at dinner time yesterday and he got through the night and is still fine. No nausea, no vomitting, no bloating... looks like they'll be taking the tube out at lunch! YEAH!!!! Then we move on to liquids, then semi-solids and gradually, solids. Keep your fingers crossed.

Mathieu is so hoping to make it to our family reunion this weekend. But that might be pushing it. I said we could go visit everyone later on...

Richard came to visit yesterday while I went home to take a shower. Thanks Rich, I love you! While I was out, Mathieu's godfather came by and brightened his day! Thanks for that Sylvain.

I wanted to wish my little sister good luck with her move today. Sorry I can't be there to help - I definitely would be there if I could. You've always been there for me.

Mom, get better soon (she's home with a bad cough).

Well, as Mathieu's gotten bored with the other computer, I will go join him in a game of something. Maybe I'll even get to squeeze in a coffee. That's it for now...

Take good care!

Renée

Brighter days ahead - I'm sure

Well, the NG tube is still in and Mathieu is dreaming of his first bite and the restaurants he'll visit as soon as we get out of here. So far we're going to Jack Astors, La Belle province, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and we've only just begun. From the visit we had with the doctors this morning, it looks as though the tube will be in at least for another 24 hours. So no drinks (or food) til then.

The night before last, Mathieu's IV had to be changed; it was no longer working properly as it had been in for over 6 days. Well, it took 6 tries before they finally got a good one going. And, that one gave out yesterday morning and they had to put a new one in again. Luckily, they got it the first time around.

He still gets bouts of nausea and diziness every once now and again; but he really hasn't eaten or drank in a week. With the pain medication and everything else, I suppose that is to be expected. They are feeding him electrolytes and lipids via his IV so that he can keep his strength up. He is walking and sitting, playing XBox, channel surfing and watching movies.

Yesterday, we had some nice surprise visits. Our friend Gary came by to see Mathieu. That brought quite a smile to his face. Thanks Gary! Also, one of the football coaches from last year, John and his son Jake can by to see Mathieu. I think it made him feel special. He's getting pretty tired of seeing my old face. Although he doesn't like me to go too far.

I think we're both looking forward to being back in our own bed and catching up on some sleep; or at least having an uninterupted night.

The sun is shining and, am sure, there are brighter days ahead.

That's it for now.

Take good care!

Renée

P.S. Mat & Pat: Mathieu has already asked when he can go to QC.

PP.S. Jean-Daniel et Camille: Mathieu a vraiment hate de pouvoir aller faire du tube...

You've got to laugh... Otherwise you'd cry!

Would you believe that in the midst of everything that is going on, someone came into Mathieu's room while we were walking in the hallway and stole my wallet out of my purse. They didn't take my expensive purse, the digital camera or Blackberry that were inside. Only my wallet. I only had $40 or $50 in it... And my credit card was practically maxed out... But what a pain! Now I've had to cancel my credit cards, my debit card and will have to get new medicare cards, driver's license, etc. I guess that should keep me business...

Mathieu has had his ups and downs again over that last 24 hours. He has been walking and is trying to do his breathing exercises. He coughs which is good - however it is quite painful for him. The NG tube is still extracting quite a bit of fluid, but it is getting clearer. The nutrutionist came by this morning and they will be adding nutrients through his IV has he has only had a few bites in the last week. Mind you, his weight is only down 6 lbs and they took out his whole colon - I figure that must weigh a few pounds.

We've had a few visitors to help keep his spirits up. Of course, last week Linda was with me during the surgery and Luce visited a few days and even made me a lunch that lasted 3 days, and my forner neighbour and a good friend of the family, Mike - who works at the Children's - also came by. Nicole, Greg, Scott (above) and Annie came by for the weekend. The Covenys have been by on a few occasions with their gang. And, Francis and Michael from the soccer team came last week. This morning we had a nice surprise visit from Sdaos. Mathieu was really pleased to play XBox with Robbie (above) and I was very grateful to Jodie for the coffee.

Well, I have to run to the bank now... See if I can get any money out without my bank card!... And, I have to get some food for my other son... who is at home with no bread... Don't worry, there's plenty of other stuff; but they always seem to want something other than what's there, don't they.

I'm off again... I'll rent more movies for our movie marathon - if the bank lets me have any money that is...

That's it for now. Send positive energy our way. Our supply is running low!

Take good care!

Renée

Rocky road; but smoother ground ahead...

It was a tempestuous weekend. Mathieu spiked a fever of over 39 on Friday afternoon and his abdomen was very tender and started being distended. The did blood tests and sent him for an x-ray. They thought it was either a blockage or a leak. The best thing to do was for Mathieu to get mobile... But he didn't want to. Finally, at 11:00pm they insert an NG (nasogastric) tube down his nose. This is hooke up to a machine that suctions the liquidsébile from his stomach. They needed with three nurses to do this while I held his hand. He wasn't a happy camper and told me that this was going to cost me big time. Such a negotiator. Over 3 cups of fluids were extracted in the first 12 hours.

Saturday afternoon, my sister Nicole came from Ottawa with Greg and the kids - Scott and Annie - and that was a very welcome diversion. I managed to go home to take a shower and brought Mathieu back his own pillows. When I came back he seemed determined. He told me that he had managed to stand by himself and had taken a short walk. He did not, however, want to do his breathing exercises. His fever spiked again around dinner time. But he told me he wanted to walk. I figured Greg or someone must have spoken to him because his attitude changed totally. Maybe the pain wasn't quite as bad. Friday they had unhooked the self-medication pump and stuff... I think it was a bit of a shock to the system.

He is much, much better today, as am I. We both slept better, I think... He has taken a walk and used the inspirometer for the breathing exercises. I told him that we would go for another walk when I finished blogging. His fever was slightly up again as was his pain; so I'll give the medication a bit of time so that it takes effect.

If I get home tomorrow, I'll try to post a photo or two. I figure a shower every 48 hours is not too much of a luxury.

So, I think we're on the path to recovery. Mathieu is very much looking forward to having the NG tube removed and being able to drink, if not eat. Though he may be a bit reluctant to eat at first; but you never know... Hopefully, if it stops draining fluids, they will remove it tomorrow.

That's it for now. I will keep you posted.

Take good care!

Renée

What a trooper!

Mathieu took two steps yesterday and sat up most of the afternoon playing XBox. Rich came to visit while I went home for a much needed shower. The good news is that his new bowels are working, although we now have to work on his timing... He had his chicken broth for lunch and dinner, are popsicles and drank water and I ran out - on a special request - to get him a slush.

The doctors were doing their rounds when I told Mat that I was gonna go down and get a quick bite. He asked if I could bring him back something. I told him that he hadn't been given the okay to eat yet... so we asked and the Docs said yes. Mathieu made the Doctors wait while he made me a drawing of a pastry he'd seen at the café a few days ago... So, you see, he hasn't lost his appetite.

His friends Tristan, Francis and Michael came to visit with Sylvie and Shawn last night. It was great... Except for when they made him laugh, because that hurt his belly.

This morning they've taken away the morphine pump and the catheter, etc. So all he has left is the i.v. for liquids. This should be coming off as soon as he manages to pee on his own.

I was taking a sleeping pill to ensure that I was getting plenty of rest on the small convertible cot. But, I was informed by Mathieu that my snorring was keeping him up. Needless to say, I did not take my pill last night and, yes, I am quite tired. Thankfully, however, I believe that Mat did get a bit more sleep than I did.

I'm very much looking forward to sleeping in my own bed and making myself a real meal.Well, I have to go... Mathieu is down here with me in a wheelchair and is falling asleep at his computer. You can send him messages through this blog... I'm sure he'd love it.

That's it for now.

Take good care.

Renée

Slowly, but surely...

We moved to a private room yesterday afternoon. That was a very positive change. We watched a bunch of movies, cause as Mathieu says, the stupîd TV's not worth crap. We managed to get him to roll on one side and then the other. After which he turned to me and said 'You owe me big time'. He'll be a great business man, politician or mobster! He knows how to capitalize on every possible situation.

He still has the morphine pump and the catheter in. He has been having popsicles with no difficulty. So, today, we'll try to get him sitting, if not right up and then they can remove the catheter. He is very afraid of feeling pain. Memories of seeing his father in the hospital probably still haunt him. But we're working through it.

Last night his big brother and Andrew came by to visit with my Mom. It was good. I think they were both quite happy to see each other. And Rich must've been relieved to see that Mathieu looked ok.

Well, I should get back. I came down to the library to get XBox games. Mathieu request 'violent ones with guns'. He knows I don' t allow those... I told him they probably don't have those in a Children's hospital.

That's it for now.

Take good care.

Renée

One day at a time - TAKE THREE

All things considered, things went very well yesterday. Mathieu was quite calm going in and walked in to the surgery room all by himself. The surgery lasted 7 hours and was very successful. They did not need to do a temporary colostomy bag. Thank goodness for that!



We spent the night in the recovery room and were transferred to the floor at 5:30 am. Mathieu is now sharing a room next to the nursing station with a baby and finds it quite noisy. I've asked to have him transferred to a private room so there is a possibility that that might happen this afternoon. In the meantime with the anasthesia having worn off and the fact that he slept a good part of the night, he did not use the pump they gave him to self-medicate for pain. When I left him 5 minutes ago after having pressed the button over and over again, he seemed to be sleeping comfortably. Don't worry, the pump will only give him as much as he's allowed. The nurses and pain management team reassured him that he can press as much as he wants to.

Well, I'll get back to him now. This afternoon they're going to try to get him to sit. The next thing will be liquids - probably tomorrow.


That's it for now...


Take good care!


Renée

Here we go again...

We were at the hospital for the pre-op prep today. I suppose it could have been worse, but I was hoping for flawless and was disappointed. My brave little man was great. He had a tube put down his nose to his stomach to infuse a liquid that helped clean out his bowel. Unfortunately, that made him nauseous and he kept spitting up bile. And the first attempt at inserting a needle for a blood test was unsuccessful and painful and had to be repeated. All the while the nurse and hospital educator were trying to walk us through everything that will happen on Tuesday, surgery day. Mathieu seemed at times bewildered but eventually - once the tube was removed - was much better; almost his old self.

We have to be at the hospital at 7:45am on Tuesday for admission. Then the nurse will do another sort of bowel preparation and the surgery is scheduled for 8:45. We are all hoping that there won't be too much of a stretch with the small bowel when they form the j-pouch reservoir, because if there is, they will need to put a temporary colostomy bag. This would mean another surgery in appox. 2 months and Mathieu would wake up with a tube down his nose to prevent bile from accumulating. Not to mention the daily (or more) cleaning out of the bag... I'm sure Tony will be with us and help us face whatever happens.

Re-reading this post, I guess I'm tired and a little bewildered myself. Hopefully things will go smoothly tomorrow. Say a prayer for Mathieu.

That's it for now. I will keep you posted.

Take good care!

Renée

Home, Sweet New Home!

We've been busy over the weekend. We've been unpacking and sorting out what should go where and what we need to get to make our new home just right... There are lots of new things to get used to; like a dishwasher - but I think I can handle that! The front loading washer was a bit scary at first, but my sister has one and she came to the rescue. Not so difficult after all - it just looks intimidating. Now I need to unpack a few more boxes; but considering that the movers finished unpacking their truck at 4:30 on Friday afternoon, I figure I'm doing very well. I must admit, however, that I did get a lot of help. Among others, my sisters came in from Ottawa to help, as did our good friend Luce.



Today, Sunday, my sisters had to leave early in the morning to make it back for my niece's violin concert. As for myself, I had to get Mathieu to his soccer practice and ensure that he was set for the soccer association's BBQ. I picked Richard up from his friend's and we headed off to St-Lazare for a football game. Back home after that to find Mathieu, register Richard for the soccer house league, detour via Sports Experts to buy some soccer cleats and chin pads and then off again to Mathieu's football practice. I guess I don't need to tell you that I'm exhausted.


The boys seem quite happy about the new home. I might actually have to equip Mathieu with a GPS system so that I can keep track of him. He's making friends fast and furious and is quite enjoying exploring his new neighbourhood. Although he has sent quite a bit of time here as his best friend and Richard's best friend live right around the corner. This could prove to be very interesting.


Unfortunately, I haven't downloaded any photos yet, but I promise to get around to it in the next few days.


Well! That's it for now.


Take good care!


Renée