The past 48 hours have been busy since I last posted. The "clean out" procedures for his colonoscopy didn't go very well since Bryce refused to drink the laxative that was to get the process started. The doctor finally decided to admit Bryce to the hospital Sunday evening which was the beginning of our inpatient stay that didn't end until about 48 hours later.
The "clean out" involved starting an IV to ensure he stayed hydrated and a NG tub through his nose to his stomach to give him the "easy going" liquid. Bryce was pretty miserable and tired once all of this was hooked up and fell asleep about 11 PM in the hospital bed with me. About every 2 hours, he would wake up screaming, go the bathroom (I'll spare you the details), we'd clean all of us up and then he'd fall back to sleep for another 2 hours. By morning, he was certainly clean.
Monday morning we met the GI doc and his nurse for our initial visit. He took a history and talked about the week's events. Then, Monday afternoon, Bryce was put under general anesthesia for the first time to undergo the endoscopy and colonoscopy. Visually, the GI tract looked good but we won't have the biopsy results until Thursday.
Just when we thought we were going to be discharged, it was decided just before the scopes to keep Bryce as an inpatient for another 24 hours to do an impedance probe test. The impedance test is the same one we did in April and it was decided to redo it since Cinci does thousands of these so they have the expertise to interpret the results. This test will show us how often Bryce is refluxing. The probe was inserted into Bryce's esophagus while Bryce was asleep during the scopes and he kept it in until this afternoon (about 24 hours).
Bryce continued this morning with the previously scheduled Allergy Testing even with the impedance probe in place. The visit this morning consisted of an initial appointment with the allergist, skin testing and placed the patches on his back for the patch testing. Poor baby had 18 pricks on each of his arms to find out if he had anaphylactic reaction to a food. As suspected, it all came back negative. The patch testing will be read on Friday morning; it looks for a delayed reaction to food.
The staff at Cinci Children's have been outstanding. It's a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility with staff that truly care. It's wonderful to be in a place geared for children! Andy's parents were here through our inpatient stay which made things so much easier! We also saw my sisters on Sunday before Bryce had to go into the hospital.
The next few days should be a lot less intense with just follow up visits. Thankful, the testing is done!!! I'll post more when I can. Love to you all.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Arrived in Ohio
Hi everyone. I just thought I would post and let you know that we arrived in Ohio yesterday and are getting settled. The great news is that Bryce no longer has a fever and is feeling better!
The flight from San Antonio to Ohio overall went well for a 6 AM departure! Since we were in Dayton by noon, I called my sister, Tina, and she met us at Carollin Park for about an hour. We then traveled about 40 minutes south to the Drury Inn where we're staying. The hotel was full of girls here for a soccer tournament so Bryce had a great time running around, flirting with everyone. Last night, we unpacked and got items we needed to "clean out" Bryce.
Today we start the "clean out" procedures. That's all for now!
The flight from San Antonio to Ohio overall went well for a 6 AM departure! Since we were in Dayton by noon, I called my sister, Tina, and she met us at Carollin Park for about an hour. We then traveled about 40 minutes south to the Drury Inn where we're staying. The hotel was full of girls here for a soccer tournament so Bryce had a great time running around, flirting with everyone. Last night, we unpacked and got items we needed to "clean out" Bryce.
Today we start the "clean out" procedures. That's all for now!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Cincinnati Children's Medical Center Schedule
This weekend, Andy and I are taking Bryce to Cincinnati Children's Medical Center to be evaluated by the Eosinophilic Center. As many of you know, we've been trying to get Bryce to the experts for months and it is finally here.
This trip brings many mixed emotions for us. I'm excited that Bryce will be in the best hands but also hate putting my son through so many procedures. The preparation for the scopes will be hard since he can't eat for 24 hours and we have to "clean him out." I also don't look forward to the allergy testing since the skin prick tests involve using his arms as pin cushions.
Of course, the hope is that we have some answers by the end of the week on what is going on with Bryce and his GI tract. Andy and I have two goals for the trip: find out what is bothering Bryce and walk away with a treatment/food plan. We know that we are probably not going to get any magical solutions but hope to know more then we do now.
We are lucky that the experts just happen to be in our hometown state of Ohio! The hotel we are staying at is a 10 minutes from two of my sisters. My dad lives in Dayton and has offered to help. Although Cleveland is still a 4 hour drive to Cincinnati, Andy's parents are going to drive down for a couple of days. We really appreciate having all of their support.
I'll post updates if I get a chance while in Cinci. Here is our schedule.
Saturday, Sep 27
Fly from San Antonio to Dayton, arrive near noon
Staying at Drury Inn in Sharonville (2265 E Sharon Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241)
Sunday, Sep 28
1:00 PM
Colonoscopy Prep Begins
Only clear liquids for the next 24 hours
Monday, Sep 29
9:00 AM
Clinic Visit
Dr. Franciosi (Gastroenterology Center 2nd floor Building C)
1:30 PM
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
(Report to Same Day Surgery Registration 3rd Floor Building B at 12:00 PM)
Tuesday, Sep 30
9:00 AM
Allergy Testing
(Allergy Department 5th floor Building C)
Allergy Patch Testing to follow Skin Test
1:00 PM
Appointment with Social Worker (Report to Allergy Waiting Area)
Wednesday, 1 Oct
10:00 AM
Education and Lab Tour
(Report to Gastroenterology Waiting Area)
Thursday, 2 Oct
9:00 AM
Follow-up appointment with Dr. Franciosi (Gastroenterology Center 2nd Floor Building C)
Appointment with Dietitian to follow
Speech Therapy
Friday, 3 Oct
9:15 AM
Patch Test Reading (Allergy Department 5th Floor Building C)
Friday, 3 Oct to Monday, 6 Oct
Driving to Cleveland to celebrate Andy's Mom's 60th Birthday
Tuesday, 7 Oct
Flying from Dayton back to San Antonio
This trip brings many mixed emotions for us. I'm excited that Bryce will be in the best hands but also hate putting my son through so many procedures. The preparation for the scopes will be hard since he can't eat for 24 hours and we have to "clean him out." I also don't look forward to the allergy testing since the skin prick tests involve using his arms as pin cushions.
Of course, the hope is that we have some answers by the end of the week on what is going on with Bryce and his GI tract. Andy and I have two goals for the trip: find out what is bothering Bryce and walk away with a treatment/food plan. We know that we are probably not going to get any magical solutions but hope to know more then we do now.
We are lucky that the experts just happen to be in our hometown state of Ohio! The hotel we are staying at is a 10 minutes from two of my sisters. My dad lives in Dayton and has offered to help. Although Cleveland is still a 4 hour drive to Cincinnati, Andy's parents are going to drive down for a couple of days. We really appreciate having all of their support.
I'll post updates if I get a chance while in Cinci. Here is our schedule.
Saturday, Sep 27
Fly from San Antonio to Dayton, arrive near noon
Staying at Drury Inn in Sharonville (2265 E Sharon Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45241)
Sunday, Sep 28
1:00 PM
Colonoscopy Prep Begins
Only clear liquids for the next 24 hours
Monday, Sep 29
9:00 AM
Clinic Visit
Dr. Franciosi (Gastroenterology Center 2nd floor Building C)
1:30 PM
Endoscopy/Colonoscopy
(Report to Same Day Surgery Registration 3rd Floor Building B at 12:00 PM)
Tuesday, Sep 30
9:00 AM
Allergy Testing
(Allergy Department 5th floor Building C)
Allergy Patch Testing to follow Skin Test
1:00 PM
Appointment with Social Worker (Report to Allergy Waiting Area)
Wednesday, 1 Oct
10:00 AM
Education and Lab Tour
(Report to Gastroenterology Waiting Area)
Thursday, 2 Oct
9:00 AM
Follow-up appointment with Dr. Franciosi (Gastroenterology Center 2nd Floor Building C)
Appointment with Dietitian to follow
Speech Therapy
Friday, 3 Oct
9:15 AM
Patch Test Reading (Allergy Department 5th Floor Building C)
Friday, 3 Oct to Monday, 6 Oct
Driving to Cleveland to celebrate Andy's Mom's 60th Birthday
Tuesday, 7 Oct
Flying from Dayton back to San Antonio
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Cape Cod
We went to Cape Cod at the end of August until after Labor Day. It was a wonderful 10-day trip where we enjoyed the cool air, seafood, the ocean and family.
We stayed with Andy's grandfather, Bompie, who still lives by himself in Orleans, MA. Andy's brother, Scott, came from Boston both weekends we were in town to play with his nephew. Nanna and Bampa Huntoon drove down from Mentor, Ohio to spend a week with us on the Cape. In addition, we also had Lisa's godparents, Laura and Hasty, make their first visit to the area; to see us and beautiful Cape Cod.
The beaches at the Cape are beautiful, especially the way the tides come in and out.
Nanna and Bampa took Bryce to the beach many afternoons all on their own! Bryce LOVED being at the beach. Bryce was a little cautious of the waves. Most of the time, he would follow the waves, walking toward the water when it went out to sea and then walking back when the waves came in. One day with Nanna and Bampa, he got brave and actually played in the waves!
Uncle Scott reading an airplane book.
Andy and Bryce at the beach in the morning while Lisa slept!
Bryce watching the ocean.
Bompie bought us lobster one night! It was soo good to eat fresh, delicious lobster. Bryce enjoyed playing with the claws.
Big shoes to fill! (Hasty's shoes!)
Checking out Hasty's beard.
Laura cuddled up with Bryce who's in his Nini (Uncle Kevin's blankie).
Out to dinner with Laura and Hasty thanks to Nanna and Bampa babysitting!
Bryce was thrilled to spend time with Bompie.
We celebrated Bompie's 91st birthday while we were at the Cape.
We stayed with Andy's grandfather, Bompie, who still lives by himself in Orleans, MA. Andy's brother, Scott, came from Boston both weekends we were in town to play with his nephew. Nanna and Bampa Huntoon drove down from Mentor, Ohio to spend a week with us on the Cape. In addition, we also had Lisa's godparents, Laura and Hasty, make their first visit to the area; to see us and beautiful Cape Cod.
The beaches at the Cape are beautiful, especially the way the tides come in and out.
Nanna and Bampa took Bryce to the beach many afternoons all on their own! Bryce LOVED being at the beach. Bryce was a little cautious of the waves. Most of the time, he would follow the waves, walking toward the water when it went out to sea and then walking back when the waves came in. One day with Nanna and Bampa, he got brave and actually played in the waves!
Uncle Scott reading an airplane book.
Andy and Bryce at the beach in the morning while Lisa slept!
Bryce watching the ocean.
Bompie bought us lobster one night! It was soo good to eat fresh, delicious lobster. Bryce enjoyed playing with the claws.
Big shoes to fill! (Hasty's shoes!)
Checking out Hasty's beard.
Laura cuddled up with Bryce who's in his Nini (Uncle Kevin's blankie).
Out to dinner with Laura and Hasty thanks to Nanna and Bampa babysitting!
Bryce was thrilled to spend time with Bompie.
We celebrated Bompie's 91st birthday while we were at the Cape.
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