All is Well

Gage is doing GREAT!! He is getting stronger and stronger. He is able to hold his head up for longer periods of time, but still "requires" much of his mother's attention. He doesn't like to be layed down unless it is to nurse or sleep cuddled next to his mom. He pretty much whimpers and he has 6 people at his side ready to help. It is wonderful!!

Just a side note, Megan lost her front tooth. It has been loose for about 3 weeks and she was just going to "let it fall out." The other night we were chatting with Aunt Emily on the computer and Megan wanted to chat. I told her she could if she pulled her tooth out. 5 minutes later it was out and she was chatting with Emily. Thank you for your patience Emily.

Hunter is being his helpful self and is at a really funny age right now. Thank you for your prayers and all your support. We have been really blessed with great friends and family.

Megan and her tooth.

Hunter and Gage with matching PJ's.

Hunter had to get shoes on before he could go grab some wood from the garage. He isn't really picky about the size or style.

We are home

Hello everyone, Daddy here.
Just wanted to report we are all home, and boy are we glad to have our little Gage and Mommy here. Gage is smiling and doing well. He still has some withdrawals, but the doctors are confident he can finish the recovery at home. It was sure fun the travel home together as a family.
With all my heart, thank-you for your prayers, concern, and comments. They mean a lot to Stacy and I.
Shawn, our little friend from Alaska who received a heart, we hope you recover quickly.
The Binghams

Home Sweet Home!

Gage had a great night last night. His oxygen would drop into the upper 80's and he was able to bring it back up himself, without needing oxygen. So, we got the green light from the doctor and we are heading home!!!!

His withdrawal symptoms are getting less and less. We are still going to go home on some Ativan to help though. The Dr. thinks it will last 3-5 more days. However, he is acting more and more like himself. He almost laughed yesterday and is smiling more and more. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and for checking on us. With all our love, the Binghams.

Good and Bad Days

Gage without any oxygen and clothes!

Sorry for no update yesterday. Gage had a not so good day yesterday. He is doing great as far as not needing any oxygen. They took him completely off the oxygen yesterday and he did great. However he didn't sleep hardly at all and was very fussy all day yesterday, which is part of the withdrawals. It was so sad, because he had this weak little whisper of a cry and nothing I could do would console him. He would fall asleep for brief periods in my arms. Then, I would realize I hadn't moved out of the glider in hours and would lay him down in his crib. Inevitably he would wake back up and start crying.

Finally about midnight last night he passed out. He slept very deep until 9:00AM this morning. However, because he slept so deep, his oxygen levels went down and his alarms sounded all night. So, they had to give some blow by oxygen to help keep his oxygen levels up.

Anyway, Jason is going to say that I went on and on with every detail. So instead of boring you I will sum it up. We are hoping to go home soon, but the doctor says that he has to be able to go without oxygen for 24 hours until we can go. They took out his central line today making the only attachment his oximeter probe. They will send him home on meds for the withdrawal that they anticipate lasting 1-2 weeks. YEahhhhh!!! J/K Hopefully in the next couple days we will be blogging from our home computer.

A Good Day

Gage had a good day today. He was smiling for the first time. We got out of ICU and are on the regular pediatric floor. He is eating better and the withdrawal symptoms are starting to get better. We are hoping to go home Friday or Satruday but the doctors haven't said yet. He is only on 1/4 L of oxygen and keeping his oxygen level up. Which is not very much compared to the 2L he was on in Baker's hospital before he was life flighted. There is definately a light at the end of the tunnel.

Another Long Night

Gage is having a tough time with the withdrawals. He slept 4 hours yesterday and then a little 20 minute cat nap at 10:30 last night. He was up all night, even after they gave him a non-narcotic medicine to make him sleep. Finally, at 5:00 AM they had to put a feeding tube down and give him two more medications to help him sleep. He finally gave in and is peacefully sleeping. So, they are going to put him on a timed schedule of ativan (for anxiety) and methadone (for pain). These will help him through the withdrawal.

On a good note. We are going out to the pediatric floor this morning and he will have a few less monitors on him making him a little easier to get to. They are also going to turn down his IV fluids to see if that will make him a little more hungry. His appetite isn't the greatest. However, these are all minuscule in the whole array of things. He really is getting better.