Starting Ditropan?

We went to see the urologist today as a follow-up from Toby's last kidney ultrasound. It was a long appointment and kind of frustrating because we waited for over an hour before we saw anyone. Most of our questions were answered and we have an appointment to see the nephrologist in December. We will see what he has to say about the calcium in his kidneys. The urologist also wants to start Toby on a new medication called ditropan. This is one that kids with SB are typically on. It is supposed to increase bladder fuction, which is great, but I'm a little bit concerned about the side effects of this drug. It can dehydrate, thicken secretions, cause constipation, and increase body temperature - all of which would be really bad for Toby. I have a call into pulmonary to see what his opinion is. My greatest concern is the dehydration - this would not be good for his trach and lungs. Obviously he may have no side effects at all, so we can always try it and then take him off of it, if it's bad. We will see what the Pulmonologist says.

Nephrologist and Oxygen

Toby continues to do well sitting up in his bumbo seat. He's been on some oxygen when he's sleeping the past few days; I think it's just going to be the nature of things this cold/flu season. He did receive his first synagis or RSV vaccination last week. He will get these monthly during this season because of the major health complications that come with getting RSV, which is a major respiratory virus.

Conor and Garrett are going home with Grandma and Grandpa Fabian tomorrow for a visit; it will be a nice break for mommy and will allow for Bruce and I to have some time together alone and with Toby. Wednesday, Toby will see the urologist. It's a follow up from his renal (kidney) ultrasound. They are finding nephrocalcinosis or calcium in his kidneys; he's actually had calcium in his kidneys since birth. They're not acting like it's anything major, but the Urology Nurse Practitioner did mention that they might refer us to a Nephrologist (a doctor that specializes in kidneys) to see if we should be concerned about this. He does not have kidney stones; so we will see what happens with that.

Gratefulness for His Unspeakable Gifts

Today is a day of Praise!! (This journal entry is long today! :)

Toby took a really LONG afternoon nap, so he was in a great mood tonight. Our nurse put him in the Bumbo seat and I was just amazed as he sat up like a big boy. His head would fall back, and then he would pull himself back up to midline and sit up. I took a short video.

Lately I have just been amazed at the blessings of God. I found this verse in Psalm 31:7 "I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities," and Phil. 4:5 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" I rejoice over the milestones that Toby is starting to accomplish and also the relationships that He has put in our lives. Our friends the Weise's and their son Evan; we have been friends long before we were married, and God orchestrated Evan to be on a vent. 4 years before Toby. We even share respiratory supplies! :) I am thankful for the new friends I have made on a Yahoo group that I'm apart of - Parents of children with SB and adults that have SB. I am also thankful for the family and friends that continue to stick by us even though our lives have changed dramatically. Many could have very easily walked away. Just recently I reconnected with a friend from college who also has experienced tragedy in her life. Some of the same verses that spoke to her during their time of grief has been some that we have also treasured. Psalm 40:1-3 "I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD."

God is such a personal God in that, I know that with my personality I wouldn't have been able to handle Toby as my first child..I'm glad we knew before he was born, so with my Type A personality, I could plan..but God has also continually used that to teach me that He is always in control and I have to trust Him daily. I could go on and on about the ways that God has tailored and planned, Yes planned for us to have Toby at this point in our lives with brothers to encourage him and family/friends to love and support Him and us. Praise be to the Lord for HIS unspeakable gifts!! Have a great night.

Rolling Over and Myelo Clinic

Toby's waiver is resolved; I was on the phone many many times the last few days, and several times while at Myelo Clinic on Friday. They called and said they fixed it, and on Saturday I ordered one of his prescriptions that is only covered by Waiver just to check and it went through! Thank you for praying!

His clinic appointment went pretty well. The doctors, Physical Therapist and Occupational Therapist were commenting at how big he is and amazed at his progress holding up his head, etc. The most questions we had were for seating and mobility...what might be the next step as he gets bigger? Thankfully our home PT came with us and was able to ask a lot of questions about some of the devices we are using to get him to sit up and also to straighten his legs to stand. The Physical Medicine Doctor who prescribes wheelchairs, braces and such said his feet still look great, which means he won't need any AFO's yet (Ankle & Foot Orthotics) and the PT at clinic also said that braces would weigh his legs down, so we will wait on this. To be completely honest meeting with the Physical Medicine doctor wasn't encouraging. She mentioned how as Toby gets older he may not have the mental capacity to use a self-propelled wheelchair, etc. Of course she doesn't know Toby like we do, but after we left, I was analyzing every move he made trying to see if he's going to grow up and not be able to communicate with us or have major mental difficulties. I know that many of our dear friends deal with this every day, and I know that God will give us the grace to handle this too, but right now I just don't know if I can handle that. God asked me once again to trust HIM and reminded me to take it one day at a time! Toby also had a renal ultrasound and we will see the urologist in a week and a half for a follow-up appointment.

On a happier note this weekend my grandparents (My moms' parents) came for a visit. We had a wonderful time. AND on Saturday, I had Toby propped on his tummy propped up on a rolled blanket. We were in the kitchen cooking dinner and then I look and see that Toby is initiating rolling over ALL BY HIMSELF. I went in and unhooked his ventilator, which was getting in the way, and there he went. HE ROLLED OVER! Then he did it 3 more times. Each time I needed to be the motivation to roll the rest of the way, but I didn't have to help him, I just had to be something to look at.

Lastly, I posted some new photos of Toby in his costume and the boys. Conor was Sully and Garrett was Mike from Monsters Inc. The boys had fun trick-or-treating with Grandma and Grandpa Holt.

Always Something

Hello - Please pray for Toby's HomeCare Waiver right now. We thought everything was resolved and now we're having issues with it again. They don't have him receiving nursing duty services in their system, which means our nurse is working and not getting paid - it is NOT because he doesn't qualify, but because someone hasn't renewed him in the computer system.

Also, we don't think it's anything major, but Monday Toby was so strong and yesterday and today Toby has been very floppy. He can't sit up; his head control is floppy, etc. We aren't sure if he's just going through some growing so all of his energy is going towards that or if it's because of his cold. I'm a little concerned, but we're not calling the doctor just yet. We will see how he does the next few days.

Bumbo Seat

Hello everyone. Toby is doing pretty well; although now he has a runny nose. We're still waiting for that first tooth to pop through. Toby's OT came today and her goal was for Toby to sit up in his Bumbo seat without help by Nov. 1st and he did. He is making a lot of progress (I'll try to take some photos soon). The new night nurse is starting tonight. It's always a little difficult to transition with a new person in your home. I'm looking forward to getting some sleep again (so is Bruce!). I was able to get away this past weekend to visit with some girlfriends from college. It was very great to see them. Have a good week!

A Few Milestones

I had to add 3 new new photos today. The other day Conor was laying on a pillow next to Toby, and they were having a fun time "talking" to each other. The new photo on the front page is of Toby having tummy time on his wedge. We are very proud at how he is learning to really hold his head up high and for extended periods of time. He is also drooling like crazy - no teeth just yet (if you look closely you can see it!!!) Toby is also learning how to move air around his trach and up over his vocal cords. Last week he was making noises for Grandpa Fabian (my dad) on the phone. It is great to hear his voice again.

Toby is still on oxygen, and he is now being treated for his trach infection. He is acting fine, though - very happy again and smiling all the time! We're praying by the end of the week, he won't need the oxygen anymore.