Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.....

So today was another small step ahead in PJ Land. Though he did not have a super great night, today was a move ahead. Last night though, he started vomiting, a lot....so they put the tube (to keep his stomach empty) that was in his mouth back in, but this time, in his nose...(according to his nurse - Peej wasn't so hot on the idea and gave him a really hard time). He also seems to be running a low grade fever so they are trying to determine what is causing that and if the two are related. Other than that, last night was okay but he is tired today from not resting well.

On to today!!! While Heather and I were there, they came in to sit him up on the edge of his bed! They even let us help! I think because of last nights restlessness, he feels a little less like playing with us today. He did follow commands to help get him to the side of the bed, but it is clear he has little strength after laying around for so long. Though the sitting up required a fair amount of assistance...HE DID IT! He sat up for about 5 minutes and then I think the staff got tired of holding him up, then they sat him in the "chair" thingy I told you about yesterday and he was so happy to be in a different position he couldn't keep still! He kept moving his arms and legs all around and we kept telling him to stay still or he would slide out of the chair. He is strapped into the chair but we all know, even in his weakened state, that boy doesn't like to be tied down.

They asked us if we wanted to do his physical therapy on his hands and showed us how to manipulate his fingers to help stretch the skin that was burned, so it becomes more pliable and his range of motion will increase...this is necessary but it is a little uncomfortable for Peej. So....Heather wimped out...something about "not wanting to hurt her brother...blah blah blah.." Really though, I think she is just so happy to see him smiling and making progress she is not wanting to be the one to cause him pain. I feel for her. She said she would try tomorrow. So I did it for a while and even in that short time, his fingers really loosened up. We just have to keep it up. It felt good to do something tangible to "help" in his recovery.

He did indicate, with his nodding head, that he is comfortable and is ready to leave. When I left he was still in the "chair" and they have him "open ended" (meaning he is breathing on his own but the vent is there still as needed for support) they planned on keeping that way until this evening and then letting him rest during the night and then putting him "open ended" all day tomorrow as tolerated.


When I told PJ I was leaving and asked him if he could say goodbye...he raised his hand and waved. Heather just came in and said that she asked for kisses when she left and he mouthed some kisses to her!

What great joy we take in these little motions!

Have a great day and keep praying for him to continue in this forward direction!

Lynette