Have yourself a merry little christmas...

Oops. Sorry. It's been 6 weeks since my last update and there is lots to tell. Christmas, g-tube update, and general Charlie ridiculousness. Let's go.

Christmas: amazing. When you are the only grandchild on BOTH sides, have doting parents who are still slightly sympathetic about your heart condition, and an aunt and uncle who both have unlimited budgets when it comes to babies...well, it's a pretty good christmas, isn't it? Charlie got spoiled rotten. I couldn't begin to list all of the presents he got. On top of that, Christmas Day was the best day I think we've ever had with Charlie - he was in such a good mood (who wouldn't be?), played all morning, had a good nap, ate well...it was lovely. Children really do make christmas so much fun again. I can't wait for next year and the year after, when things start getting really fun!

G-tube: our dietician (Louise) recommended we try Charlie on only clear fluids overnight (so, 700mls of PediaLite rather then formula) and see how he does, eating-wise. We just finished day two of what Matt and I are calling 'The Hunger Games' and its going better then I predicted, certainly. He's not miraculously eating 1000 calories a day or anything, but he is holding his own. Tomorrow we'll find out if/how much formula to reintroduce, and go from there. It's pretty cool, though, that we are working towards getting rid of the tube. Charlie is certainly hungrier and more willing to eat textured foods then before, which is nice. He also now has a bedtime snack!

General Charlie ridiculousness: he is talking up a storm these days. He loves to repeat anyone and anything, including family, friends, and random grocery store strangers. It's almost like having a very large parrot sometimes. And it's adorable. He's short, but I have a feeling we aren't going to be able to hold him back from much. Charlie is also developing his sense of humour quite a bit, slamming doors in people's faces and shouting 'bye!' at every opportunity. That's fun until you get a door in the face.

Other stuff: we had an appointment at SK in December, and it seemed generally hopeful. They've booked Charlie for a sedate echo in April, so that will give us more information about his hearts recovery, and they also took him off one of his medications (Lasix, the diuretic). It totally freaked us out that he was just 'done' with one if his meds, and I don't think Matt and I will react well if/when they take him off his heart medications.

Also, during that appointment Charlie was fitted with a Mic-Key button, which is supposed to be easier then the g-tube he has now. Unfortunately, it ended up being a terrible weekend of 'Mommy? Tube? Ow? Mommy?'. Annnnd then he tried to yank the new button out of his skin. Good times. So, back down to the hospital we went and the procedure was reversed. A very expensive, annoying mistake. :( But, Charlie is comfortable again and that's what's important.

That is the update from around here. Please keep Charlie in your thoughts, but even more so, one of our buddies named Wesley who is currently fighting brain cancer at our hospital. He needs your thoughts more the Charlie right now, and I'm sure Charlie is willing to lend his fans to Wesley to help him on his journey to good health.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

our troubles will be out of sight

 

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years

We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

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For Mrs. Trotter (special edition post)

Today my mum and I went to the One-of-a-kind show in toronto, where, like last year, I met with the wife of a former art teacher of mine. Mr. T. dealt with the WORST class in my elementary school's history (my class, although I was certainly not part of the problem...ahem) (seriously, one of the kids from that class went to jail. FEDERAL jail.). His lovely wife and fellow teacher, Roz, helped me barf on a class trip once. We go way back. Now Mr. T. sells his artwork at shows around Canada, one of which being the show we were at today.

We were discussing other family members and telling Roz about my brother and his recent health issues. Here is a pic of Jamie when he was wee:

As Joseph in the church pageant

 

And here is one of him recently:

In the back, at Charlie's baptism.

I hope Roz remembers, but if you don't, that's OK. You probably saw 10,000 kids during your time as a teacher. Plus, you remember me (who could forget all that barf?). :)

In April, Jamie was complaining of headaches, bad enough to stay home from work for. After some tests, it turned out he had a brain tumour and an operation was scheduled. During the month of April, he had 3 brain surgeries in 4 weeks. My dad had an operation during this time, too, and I fell and broke my arm. It was a rough month.

Dad is fine, my arm healed, and Jamie's brain (while still crazy ;)) is doing OK now too. He had a hematoma (now dissipated) and while the tumour will be in there forever, it's something he can live with through the corrective actions that the surgeries did. Thank goodness. We're very glad he is sticking around.

Last year I said '2011 tried to kill us - bring it on, 2012!'. This year, I say '2013 - please be kind. Please lead to all kinds of wonderful things for a family that has been through so much in so short a time. Thanks in advance.'

Let's hope for the best.

 

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