3 weeks later

Ethan is doing great! He's finally sleeping through the night and is back to school full time. We go back on June 4th to Mnpls and they will take X-rays and will remove the bar and immobilizes. They'll also put walking casts on. In the meantime however, Ethan has learned a new trick and can grab his toes while sitting straight legged...he's also amazed by his knees as he's never really had much of a kneecap... It's been hard but rewarding at the same time and we are excited about what's to come...

Until later,

Lisa

When can I?

I heard the words this a.m. ...when can I? I love those words as to me it means healing and motivation. Ethan already wants to go back to school monday and was a tad bit miffed at the fact that I told him no...on the flip side I'm a little bit excited to see him go to school as he seems to be calling on mommy quite a bit making a nap or the ability to get much work done somewhat difficult at times...nevertheless his brother & sister are taking great care of him...
Overall, we are managing despite my many tears, stresses and concerns...

Until later,
Lisa

We're home...

well, we were discharged a day early and actually got home last night. Ethan is doing okay...still achy and in some pain at times but definitely getting better each day. He is pretty much refusing all "pain medications" and in turn will only take tylenol or Advil which makes it hard. He outright has told me the others make him feel icky...and I have no doubt about that as my little boy has definitely disappeared in a sea of side affects. Nevertheless, he's hanging in there. Each day will get better...and before you know it, days will turn into weeks and weeks into a month--which is when we go back. At our June 4th appt, we'll get the immobilizer bar off as well as the immobilizers will be removed (during the day at least) and they will put some walking casts on which will be good as well... I cannot wait and know that 4 weeks will fly by. :-) Outside of that, that's about it. I'll post more later! Until later, Lisa

The day after surgery

Ethan is doing ok...not bad but not great. He's in a considerable amount of pain as to be expected but is also struggling with painful muscle spasms. The staff here has been top notch and we cannot complain at all. Right now the plan is to remove the epidermal tomorrow and to give him pain meds via the IV alone. In addition, he'll likely get casts on tomorrow as well as a removable stabilizing bar. He's making progress and the bumps we're seeing are typical...nevertheless it's never fun to see your little one in pain of any kind. Right now our predicted discharge date is Saturday.

To my 1st grade class--the day after

Today has been hard. My muscles keep wanting to move and twitch and they hurt a lot. The nurses give me medicines that help make me feel better but they also make me sleepy. Mommy keeps saying sleep is what I need so I guess I'll listen for today and take lots of naps.
The picture is what my legs look like right now...

Your friend , Ethan

To my 1st grade class...I'm okay!

Well surgery is over and I'm feeling okay. I still have lots of machines hooked up to me which give me medicines and make sure my body is working okay. I'm also in a very special care area which take extra special care of kids like me after surgery. My legs have special casts on them right now but in a couple of days I'll get different casts and I'll get to pick the color of the casts! Well I better go to bed but I wanted to say I'm okay. I'll leave another message tomorrow. Your friend, Ethan

Surgery update

Ethan's surgery is over. The surgeon said he did very well overall. Nevertheless as to be expected...he is in ALOT of pain and is in the ICU. Hoping the pain meds help and that the anesthesia wears off soon.

To my 1st grade class...luv ethan

I'm doing okay here...they have lots of fun stuff to do here at the hospital and the nurses are really nice too. I have my own TV and a remote that can do lots of cool things like make my bed move, turn the lights on/off, call a nurse and turns on/off the TV. I'm a little scared about surgery but excited too...gotta go as the doctors are here to take me to surgery but I'll send another note later. Miss you all!

Your friend--Ethan