Do you see what's missing?

This photo was taken at 4:30 AM this morning.  Unfortunately the lighting was off so you probably can't tell what's missing.  We heard Josiah start to cry around 4:30 and we found him with his nasal prongs at his chin (thus making oxygen delivery a little challenging).  We returned them to his nose and taped them on and then Graham said, "Where's his NG tube?"  It was at Josiah's feet.

While we were less than excited at this turn of events, Josiah was kind enough to have perfect timing.  I reread the information from SickKids and within the hour, he had a new NG tube down his nose, in time to warm his 6:00 AM feed.

At first when I inserted the tube in his nostril, I felt resistance at the back of his nose but moving his nasal prongs helped that.  I pushed the tube to just shy of the appropriate length and was quite happy with our progress until we realized I had pushed it into his mouth.  The second push resulted in a big cough so I pulled it up right away in case it had gone in his trachea.  Graham prayed again and the third time it worked.

I heard a big pop when I listened for it with the stethoscope and I could pull back stomach aspirates and putting water down the tube didn't bother him.  It's also worked all day so I'm assuming and hoping that everything is fine.  At the local hospital they would x-ray him to check the placement but I don't mind him missing a little radiation (though he's probably had more x-rays in his nine months than I have my whole life).

When we had it changed at the hospital last Tuesday, he coughed quite a bit after it was taped in place.  I happened to mention to the paediatrician that I assumed it wasn't placed correctly due to his coughing but he told me that it was just irritation due to it being put in.  At the time I had wished he wasn't coughing but due to this conversation I wasn't worried this morning when he coughed a few times over the course of the next hour.  God knows what we'll need.   


I think Josiah was quite proud of himself.  Right after we discovered his misdemeanor he was holding his left hand in front of his face with a look of wonder, turning it to the front and back.  His Grandpa noticed the same thing this afternoon.  He was quite excited by his hands today.  May God use them for good.

Yesterday I had written that the nurse had given me suggestions for Josiah's face tapes so I must say that I didn't actually follow them before this happened.  I think I've discovered that Tegaderm does not stick well to duoderm, and/or Tegaderm is not sufficient for holding down the tube.  The nurse had mentioned that they used to tape the tube and then cover it with Tegaderm.  I now see why.  :)

It was a good day.  Isaac had lots of fun with his grandparents.  He's still coughing but he's much more like himself and full of beans.  He was on his skateboard again today (shown in the photo).  He is very particular to say the least.  Everything has to happen like it always happens.  For example, when I heat his milk in the microwave, he watches while standing at the dishwasher, holding two magnets.  When the milk is in the cup, he puts the magnets back and wants picked up and the lights all need to be put off in the kitchen before we head to his room for more steps in the process.  I was trying to explain to him yesterday that he can't always have things the way he wants them.  I think we'll be working on that lesson a while.

We're also working on tidying up when Mommy asks and not just when he's in the mood.  I keep hearing in my head the voices of other parents who have told me that we are often hardest on our firstborn so hopefully I also give him lots of grace.  I certainly give him lots of kisses, hugs, and tickles.   

I was able to have an extended period of play with Josiah this afternoon after the nurse left.  We played on his mat and then in his chair and then I put him in his swing but that's not usually his favourite place.  He later fell asleep cuddling with Grandpa.  Unfortunately both Grandma's have colds (due to hanging out with us) so he couldn't cuddle with her today though she blew him kisses.

We received a card today from someone we've never met who is praying for us.  How incredibly blessed we are to be part of the church, the body of Christ, who is lifting us up in prayers in the name of Jesus, our rock and firm foundation through these challenges.  Goodnight!

Blessings,

Elizabeth

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.