Our appointment was for 11:00 a.m. We arrived much earlier due to Reed’s obsessive need to always arrive some place early.
At 12:00 we still haven’t been called back.
While in the waiting room we gave Parker a bolus feed. As we were finishing up, a young mother came up and asked questions about life with a g-tube. Doctors had been suggesting one for her little guy and she was still trying to decide.
Suddenly she looked closely at both Reed and I and asked, “Is he YOURS?”
Which translates into: “Whoa, you two look older than dirt. Is it possible that what looks like a 3 year old to me could actually be YOUR kid?” “Surely you must be his grandparents.”
I told Reed that it was officially time to start coloring his hair. You know, for Parker’s sake. heh.
We finally make our way back to the procedure room.
See that tubing coming off that giant thing sitting on top of the monitor? THAT’S what they are going to be sticking up (and then down) my kid’s nose.
After the tubing is in place then they will be feeding (if can call sticking blue pudding into a syringe and squirting it down your throat, feeding) Parker pudding and thickened water colored blue.
The blue dye allows the ENT to see exactly where the food goes once it is squirted down the throat of our Brave Hero.
After donning yellow gowns and lots of towels, Reed guides Parker into position.
Right about now is when Parker remembers what this is all about, and how it went down the last time.
Not exactly one of the most fun of experiences, eh?
But my kid, in a display of such enduring good naturedness, holds no grudges.
And while everyone is cheering and clapping and telling him what a great job he did,
Parker shows us all what true Brave Heroes are really made of.
The final results?
Parker’s vocal cords look better. This means the Nissen is working. The cobble stoning though is still significant, which means that the reflux had been pretty severe.
Bottom line is that they are no longer thinking botox for the aspiration, but another surgery.
Such a brave kiddo!! Sarah does the same thing, she doesn’t hold a grudge at all. After being held down for her flu shot last week, she promptly sat up and tearily said, “Tank you” to the nurse. Parker is one special kid.
Twitter: therextras
says:
Incredible photos of an incredible child – much like his gray parents.
I know too little to interpret much from the final results and bottom line. S’okay. I don’t need to know…..praying for Parker. and Tammy.
If it makes you feel better I’ve been coloring my hair for years! It’s not completely gray yet but it’s substantial enough. We pray for good results and are glad that the Nissen seems to be doing well. Love you all!
wow such a brave guy, way to go Parker
parker really is a brave hero. he is also one of the cutest little guys i’ve ever seen. next to my brave hero who is 12 and happens to have down syndrome. i’ve had to hold my brave hero down for all kinds of procedures too.
Parker is for sure one of my HEROS! No way I’d be smiling at someone who just did that to me! I love his eyes when he smiles.
He is amazing!
Oh that room looks familiar! So what surgery are they suggesting now that the nissen is done? I love how our kids are so happy after they’ve just been tortured!
Love his smiles! A brave hero indeed!
That room itself is pretty scary, let alone what was about to happen. And that blue stuff? Willing to bet it wasn’t the best tasting stuff either, no matter how they try to sell it. Brave hero indeed.
Oh, this brought tears to my eyes! Watching your kiddo go through these procedures is torture(and having to hold them down on top of it all!). But, Parker IS definitely a brave hero. What a champ! Yay for the vocal chords looking better. Boo to another surgery.
tammy: thank you for the sweet comment you left me. what a beautiful blog and gorgeous little boy! and you made me laugh with the “older than dirt” comment. funny how you never expect you’ll be able to do the things you wind up doing, huh? that’s how i feel, anyway. i really related to your line about Down syndrome being the least of Parker’s problems. my Sophie has had open heart surgery twice. i know just what you mean.
I’m all teary as it reminds me of procedures The Love Magnet doesn’t want to go through, but does it anyway with grace. WTG, Parker!
{{{hugs}}} to you Tammy and Reed.
My word. That is one adorable kid to make even hospital pictures cute. What a trooper.
Twitter: valmg
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Way to go Parker! That is what brave heroes are made of.
My 10 year old son with DS hasn’t had as many procedures but I know for everything he’s done he”s always ended up being forgiving and loving. Check out my Wordless Wed pics today to see the pay off – pure joy.
We just had a similar situation happen yesterday. Osiyyah had to get some lab work done to test for celiac & some other food allergies. The nurse came in to draw his blood and we were getting situated to hold him still for the draw and she says “you can stay there, Grandma.” A few seconds later my mom said “are you talking to me?” The nurse felt so bad and apologized so much – she thought I was the mom to Osiyyah
. We thought it was pretty funny, since it’s not the first time it has happened.
I can’t believe he can smile after having that procedure done to him! I just want to hug him!