Saturday August 6, 2005

Saturday August 6, 2005 When I arrive this morning I have a conversation with
Dr. Mook and Dr. Miller about Zack’s vomiting. They tell me that he is impacted
(confirmed by a portable stomach x-ray) so that is why his bolus feedings haven’t been working out. They feel confident that if we take care of the impaction and adjust the bolus feedings that we won’t have any more vomiting. Once they see that he can move the food through his digestive system they will cut back on the Reglan (this is the drug that can cause confusion but helps his body move food through his digestive track). I think we have finally figured it out because Zack is a different guy today. At 10:00 we go to speech with Kathy. She asks him if he wants ice and he immediately nods yes. He takes the ice, chews it up and swallows quickly. He nods at nearly all of her questions…want your ball back-yes, ready to go-yes. We return to his room and the aid today weighs him. He has dropped weight again, down to 133 #’s, not surprising since he has thrown up the past several days. Tony (Scotts brother) and Jill are waiting for us when we get back to the room. He is very alert for their entire visit and stays in his wheelchair. When it is time to go to the gym I ask him if he wants to brush his teeth. He says “yes” (it’s a whisper but finally he is talking again). We go to the elevator, I ask him to push the button for me and he does. The weekend physical therapist (Kristi) and occupational therapist (Angela) spend time stretching him. Zack stands up on his own with their light support on each side. They ask him to sit down and he does. He is doing much better keeping his head up, at midline and following commands. Audrey Carter had brought us 2 different soft Aspen collars to help keep his head up but the therapist suggested we wait until Monday and see how he is doing with holding his head up on his own. When we return from therapy Zack takes a nap and then gets a bath. He brushes his teeth on his own. At times he seems to be in pain, he grimaces and leans forward in his bed. I ask him if his belly hurts and he nods yes. Several of his friends come to visit and he is alert and tries to talk. Chas and Randi come later and Zack decides to stick his finger in his nose. When we tell him to stop and move his hand away he smiles cockily. He looks at Scott’s golf shirt and with one hand buttons up the collar. Quite impressive since he did it with his left hand. We say good-bye to our last visitors at 8:00 P.M. since he seems to be in a lot of pain in his belly, squirming from side to side in his bed. We know things will be better tomorrow and if not tomorrow the next day. God has faithfully taken care of all these little things to prepare us for the challenges ahead. I ask for prayers tonight that we will overcome this belly issue. I ask that all who listen here will worship God with a deeper appreciation of the many blessings He has given them. Go to church and shout for joy because our God can do more than we could ever hope or imagine.