birth day.

In honor of the big monkey's 5th birthday, here's a look back to his birth day.

Early B-Day Present

     Sawyer has been thinking about his 5th birthday celebration ever since his 4th. So, you know he was excited about a few gifts prior to tomorrow's big event.

     A Mickey Mouse pull out couch to sit on top of his bed and a Cars lap desk. These things should help make daily dialysis a little more tolerable.

Today's Update:
Sawyer felt like it looked outside,rainy and dreary, with occasional pain storms. Pain, pain go away. Don't come again another day.

Huge Relief!

     Sawyer had no pain in his shoulders at the end of dialysis this morning!!  Huge relief!  Assuming it was indeed a gas bubble from his surgery, Sawyer's doctor advised us to place him face down with his head lower than his feet during the final drain of his dialysis.  It worked!  The pain did travel to his pelvis, but the intensity was DRAMATICALLY LESS.

     X-rays today confirmed a huge gas bubble pressing up high into his abdomen.  We are not sure when it will dissipate, but we are grateful the pain does not originate from a more troubling source.  

     Grateful for a victory!  Now, back to the mountain that jumps into the sea.

"Will you pray for me that it won't hurt?"

     As he was falling asleep tonight, Sawyer said to Karen, "I really don't want it to hurt again tomorrow morning".  Then he asked, "Will you pray for me that it won't hurt?" 

     Tomorrow, Sawyer will get more x-rays to confirm the majority of his pain is still coming from a gas bubble that formed during his last surgery.  I share this so that you know how to specifically pray.

     Karen and I have been blown away from the reports of so many prayers from all over the world. There is a huge movement of prayer happening for Sawyer. Thank you for praying and caring so much!  Jesus knows my boy and He is listening.  

     FYI... Our niece, Chelsea Gaab, started a facebook group called "Praying for Sawyer".  If you would like to join this group, click here.  

Sawyer Loves School!

     Sawyer loved school today! He was the first one to raise his hand  and he participated with much enthusiasm.

     His preschool lasts for two hours.  He hung in there for the 1st hour, being as active as he could be, but did not have the energy during hour two.  Sawyer attends a preschool co-op for home schoolers that meets one time a week.  Hopefully, he'll have more strength and energy next week.

     Sawyer was enrolled at Greenbrier Weekday Preschool.  All of our other kids attended this school and were taught by Mrs. Harrison.  Mrs. Harrison is an incredible teacher and we wanted to continue the tradition. Unfortunately, Sawyer is not healthy enough at this point.  Karen can stay closer to him and give him the care he needs at the co-op. 

     Sawyer loved meeting his new friends and teachers today!  Although he has not been able to get far from the couch for the rest of the day, it was still a great day.

Haven't Got Time for The Pain.

Although Sawyer had an intense amount of pain at the end of his dialysis and throughout the morning, he was very excited to start his first day of pre-school.  Tough guy!



Notice shoes come after
 lunch box and "kak-pac".

He may not look like it, but he's excited.

FIVE!

Sawyer turns FIVE years old this Sunday!

     He has requested an Angry Birds theme for his birthday party. I guess he'd like to take out a little frustration on some pigs.  Who could blame him? Plus, it's better to go after the pigs than his brothers!

     I heard through the rumor mill that Sawyer's CPC family was collecting birthday cards for him.  If you would like to send Sawyer a card, use this address:

     Sawyer DeBause

     c/o CPC

     1021 Eden Way N

     Suite 116

     Chesapeake, VA 23320

        

     I know I'm posting this late, but I just found out about the card campaign.  Don’t worry, he will not refuse any late birthday wishes.

Today's Update:

     Sawyer is still having a lot of pain.  This morning he had a horrible episode that was very intense.  Although he is still sore from the manipulation during the surgery, the doctor believes there is a gas bubble irritating his diaphragm and displacing the pain to his shoulders.  This is very common after surgery.  

     Karen is doing her best to get him active to disperse the gas but, the pain meds knock him out.  So, she gets him moving in between the naps.

One Request

     Sawyer only had one request on the way home from the hospital yesterday.  It was an easy one…

Update 09/13/2011

     Sawyer's blood pressure continues to improve.  This is great news and we are grateful to see this trend continue!

     His dialysis did not do as well as we had hoped last night.  We are making another adjustment to his dialysis for tonight's treatment.  The CHKD Kidney Clinic is committed to finding the best dialysis treatment for Sawyer.  We're so grateful for their diligent and compassionate care.

      Sawyer does not feel so great today.  He still has the post-op pain.  The pain meds do a good job of giving him some relief, but it makes him groggy. 

      It was good to be home last night with the whole family.

dis-CHARGE!

Waiting to go HOME!

     Dr. R believes Sawyer's pain stems from his operation.  He had significant manipulation in his belly by removing almost all of his omentum and moving the catheter into his pelvis.  Also, there is a gas bubble that may be causing some of it.

     We should be leaving the hospital within the next hour!

     Some of you are asking about his blood pressure.  It's still an issue, but trending downward with good dialysis.  Nothing to stay hospitlized over.  Again, we are running a marathon here.  It''s good to get some momentum today after a few tough miles.  He sustains us all of the way.     

Sawyer's Agenda 09/12/2011

8AM:  End Dialysis Session

10AM: Drink 150ml of Sweet Tea

10:30AM: X-ray Tummy (to determine source of ongoing pain)

11:30AM: Beg Dr. R to go home

2:30PM: Play a few rounds of Angry Birds @ Home (We hope.)

3:30PM: Enjoy a Slurpee, Pain Med flavor... Yum!

3:35PM: ZZZZZzzzzzzz

6PM: Start New Dialysis Session

Tummy X-ray. Cool Spiderman socks!!