Tuesday: December 31, 2013

Last Day of 2013

Cooper had a rough night. He got sick to his stomach twice. Then, he threw up his medicines this morning. His fluid intake needs to be around 1,200 cc's. Cooper has had less than 500 over the last three days. He is refusing to eat or even drink. His doctor said he needed to have a feeding tube to help give him his fluids and keep his nutrition levels up. It was very hard watching this. The nurse didn't get fluid return so we had to have an x-ray to make sure the tube was in his stomach. It took us about three times to get an x-ray. Then while they were reading the results Cooper pulled the tube out! That meant he had to get another feeding tube and another x-ray. They also drew blood, everything came back normal. He had such a rough morning.

He made it through speech alright and they decided to divide his PT into two 30 minute sessions. However, Cooper was unable to participate during the last half hour. We let him rest due to the morning he had. He was fussy during OT, but not nearly as much as we figured he would be.

After Cooper woke from his nap we decided to take him for a walk. We didn't get far when he threw up all of the formula he received from his feeding tube. They have now decided to give him 1/2 formula and 1/2 water, thinking it may a little easier on his stomach.

Cooper was able to take a 3 hour nap this afternoon. He ate 5 bites of a PB & J sandwich, played in his crib and on the floor, went for a walk, and took a bath. He was so tired we only got one bedtime story book read before he was asleep. We were allowed to have our day off since he doesn't have therapies tomorrow, but the doctor said it would probably be a wise decision to stay here considering the day he had today.We are praying that he is able to rest well tonight so he has a better day tomorrow.

This is what a feeding tube and blood draws will do to you!

 

Working on his car in the pond!

Snuggle time with Mommy!

 



Poor baby has had such a rough day.

 

 

Trying to play with his puzzle. It's hard considering he has to wear a "no no" since he likes to mess with things he shouldn't!

 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: Cooper got his first drink of Coffee! Don't worry it was decaf and he spit it out! He refuses to drink his water, juice, or milk, but throws a fit to drink what Mommy is drinking!

 

Monday: December 30, 2013

Well Cooper's "feeling good" streak ended this morning. He tossed and turned all night and was fussy from the beginning. He made it through his OT session, but feel asleep after only 15 minutes of speech. Luckily she was able to come back and finish their session just before lunch. He wouldn't eat lunch and fussed all through PT. He took a long nap, but woke fussy. He ate only 3/4 cup of sherbet for dinner and just wanted to sleep again. They are going to do blood work tomorrow to check his sodium and cortisol levels. It seems to us that he was feeling the best when he was given the stress doses. Maybe we will get some answers tomorrow.

Cooper pushing his own wheelchair 

 

Cooper relaxing with Daddy

 

Elmo enjoying a wheelchair ride

 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: Cooper and Daddy watching the news

 

Being Bashful

 

Playing in the bathtub

Sunday: December 29, 2013

This morning Daddy's words were, "Cooper slept like a rock last night!" He also woke in a good mood, however giving him his medicines always upset him. But, it only lasted for a short while, then it was off to our day of fun!

We actually went to Target first, which is where Cooper had his most fun. He loved being in the shopping cart and looking through the store. All I heard was, "go, go, go, dad, dad, dad!" Then we stopped at McDonald's for lunch. The Air and Space Museum was next on our agenda. Cooper did really well until he was ready for his nap. Luckily he is one that can sleep anywhere, so he had a nice nap in his stroller. After the museum we walked around the commons shopping area in Hampton. We stopped at a nice cupcake bakery who claimed to have the "healthiest cupcakes around." I guess they will tell you anything to make a sale! We then decided dinner after dessert sounded good, so we drove back towards Norfolk. We ate at an Indian Cuisine. Cooper was a little unsure of their menu! When we got back home we went for a walk, took a bath, read some stories, and went to bed. Cooper had a fun and enjoyable day. We are so glad he has shown signs of improvement and is able to enjoy himself more.

Welcome to the Air and Space Museum

 

Mommy and Cooper under the big plane

Hot Air Balloon

 

 

Cooper's favorite part was being able to touch the wheels/tires

Apollo 12

 

 

This picture is so funny! He looks so scared!

 

Daddy is NEVER serious!

Lunch at McDonalds

 

 

Dessert at the Cupcake factory

 

 

Yum...Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcake

 

Enjoying the view

Mommy's Fav of the Day: You can't get any sweeter or cuter than this!

The view on the way home, beautiful!

 

 

Cooper enjoying his car ride

 

Getting ready to enjoy some Indian Cuisine

 

Saturday: December 28, 2013

Today has been the most amazing day in a long time. Since today was the day after Chemo we were prepared for a tired, fussy little boy. We had to wake him up earlier than usual because he had PT at 8:00. He worked very hard during this session. Then he had Speech at 9:00, and once again worked very hard. He had a break from 10-11. Normally we would let him nap, but he didn't act the least bit tired. He ate a little breakfast, played in the floor, and took a drive in his car. He feel asleep 10:55! When we got the gym and tried to wake him up he because pretty upset with us. We put him on the swing to calm him down and try to get him awake enough to get some OT in. They worked on his wheel chair and made some adjustments so it is now easier for Cooper to roll himself. He tried today and did a pretty good job. This last therapy ended at 12, which was lunch time. He ate a little bit of his grilled cheese and almost all of his pudding cup. This was progress. I guess the 10 minute nap he got before OT was enough because after lunch he was ready to play. At 1:15 we decided to make him take a nap. We knew if we waited too long, he may not want to go to bed. Even after his busy day, he only slept for 2 hours. He woke in a great mood, went for a walk, had dinner, played in the floor, played with the fish, took a bath, and is now in dreamland! Throughout the entire day, he has cried only when he was given his medicine and when we tried to wake him for his therapy session. Cooper also stood up on his own for the very first time since surgery! He was sitting in the floor and pulled himself up to the window seat! We are amazed at the wonderful day he has had. Tomorrow is Sunday and that means family day out! Let's hope he has another great day tomorrow!

Speech therapy turned into physical therapy. He found the slide and loved it. He actually started going down on his own.

 



Taking some steps!

 



He has never had any interest in bubbles until today. He would go down the slide and his therapist would blow bubbles when he got to the bottom for him to pop.

 



Playing in the floor.

 



 

Playing with the fish.

He looks so serious in this picture.

 



 

Mommy's Fav of the Day: He looks so sweet in this picture!

Friday: December 27, 2013

Cooper had a pretty rough day today. He was unable to work through his therapies due to him being so upset and sleepy. His doctor ordered a CT Scan. The only thing it showed was that Cooper had some sinusitis on his left side. They are going to start him on an antibiotic for a few days to see if it will help. His blood work showed that his nutrition levels were good but he is slightly anemic. This is normal due to his Chemo, we will have to keep a regular check on it. Cooper received 12 hours of IV fluids today to better prepare him for his Chemo treatment. He slept through Chemo and most of the day. We were able to get him to take a few bites of apple sauce for dinner. The nurses found a car in the closet and Cooper loved it. It is now parked in our room.

We met with the doctor today and it looks like we will be discharged January 17. The closest therapy we could find is in Roanoke, so the next step is to see if we can get a therapy and chemo schedule worked out. We got some upsetting news today. We were told that Cooper will probably always had to wear his AFO (shoe) for walking and will probably never have the use of his left hand. Randy and I have reminded ourselves that one of the doctors here told us he would never open his eye and Cooper proved him wrong! We know God is in control. We pray every night for him to watch over our precious baby and he is!

Driving his new car

Mommy's Fav of the Day: How do you sleep with your arm wrapped around your foot like that?

 



Each night we venture through each floor of the hospital. The 5th Floor is our favorite because of the awesome hallway. Can you see the incline? Cooper loves it! We tend to go FAST for him!

 



 

Look at me...I'm so fast!

Making music with the triangle.

 



This afternoon Cooper only wanted Mommy Loving! He was so sweet and let me love all over him! And of course I loved it!

 



Cooper modeling his new PJ's. I love penguins!

 



And here is the back view! Too cute!