Home after Surgery

Little Oliver Akash had a date with his surgeon for a gastrostomy on Thursday, January 10th. The operation went smoothly enough, but it was a hard four day stretch for all of us in the recovery ward. As he recovered, Oliver gradually started receiving milk again until he was up to full feeds, but now through his stomach button. Not having a tube down his nose and throat seemed to make a real difference, because Ollie was in a remarkably good mood overall. Today, in spite of the ward being shut down by a gastroenteritis outbreak (ugh), we managed to make our escape from Sydney Children's Hospital: home at last!

So now we can begin to work on his oral exercises without the constant anxiety and unhappiness over the nasal tube. It won't be quick, and it won't be easy, but at least this is a start...

Go, Dog. Go!

Here we are, reading Go, Dog. Go! together... Isn't that a sweet smile?



Today is hopefully the last day Oliver has a naso-gastric tube, which is how he's been fed so far. Tomorrow we're going in to the Sydney Children's Hospital, where he is scheduled for a laproscopic gastrostomy to replace his nasal tube with one directly into his stomach. We're both worried and hopeful at the same time: a surgical procedure on a little baby is always a tricky thing, but being free of the nasal tube might be a big step for all of us, especially Oliver.

(This post is missing a lot of the back story. We're hoping to fill that in, but we're still in crisis management mode. Some time soon, though...)

Happy New Year!

Well, 2007 was an interesting year which ended on a rather harrowing note for us. There will be lots of challenges in 2008 and beyond, but lets hope for a brighter year ahead... A very happy new year to all our readers, and thanks for all your support and good wishes.