MRI Bound

I first want to start by making a correction to a previous post. I had indicated that Jared was in a halo as this is what we understood from the doctors last night. Jared is not in a halo, but is sporting the latest neck support fashion by wearing a neck collar. Either way, both are uncomfortable, but the neck collar is a lot less cumbersome I'm sure.

I woke up this afternoon to find Dr. Gardner in our room giving an update on Jared. Dr. Gardner was one of the primary surgeons from the adult hospital that was on the team. He informed us that the CT scan performed early this morning looked great and so far everything was going extremely well. We had received some earlier information that the breathing tube would be removed after they sent Jared for another MRI today. Dr. Gardner clarified that it would not be removed until Monday, most likely. They are worried about him not being able to handle all of the secretions from his nose and mouth. If he cannot handle them they will require a tracheostomy in order to breath without the possibility of aspirating fluids.

They want him to remain pretty sedated for the next few days to allow all of the preliminary healing to take place. Since increasing the pain medications he has been sleeping almost nonstop. We have been able to talk to him occasionally and I so badly just want to hold him. He is really a good, tough, totally rocking kid. He has handled this all so well, but it just tears your heart out to see it. Everyone here comments how great and tough he is. Every time his eyes open the nurses just ooh and ahhh at those big blue Jaime eyes.

Dr. Gardner also informed us that we should plan to be in the ICU until they get the breathing tube out and can see that he is stable while handling all of the secretions. With this in mind we can plan on an ICU stay until about Tuesday. Following ICU, we would be placed in another fun filled room for another few nights of Super Mario Bros and board games. Hopefully, following this stay, he can be discharged from the hospital. Once discharged, he would like us to remain in the area for another week for regular checkups, after which, we can return home if we wish. Dr. Gardner wants to see him in a month as a followup and there set up the radiation treatments in Boston. It sounds as if the radiation treatments will occur in about 6-8 weeks from now. This is all an optimal situation and appears very possible, but it will require Jared to stay away from any infections and any further procedures.

The trip to the MRI was quite lengthy and is quite the ordeal. All the tubes had to be hooked to new machines or be made mobile. It takes a team of about four or five nurses and technicians to transport him. It was a successful trip and he returned just as we left him. We hope this is the end of his imaging for this stay.

Well, we love you all. We feel the endless support from all of you. Your prayers, comments and child support are such a strength and help to each one of us. I am excited to read all of these comments on this blog to Jared when he is a bit more coherent. I think he was pretty jealous to know that Ty and Bradley were having a sleepover. Thanks for everything. Until next time.