Now we’re into the short strokes…

Jon’s epidural was turned off at 10:30 this morning, so he was allowed to take a wheelchair stroll anywhere in the hospital rather than be restricted to the one floor (opiates—in the big, honkin’, easily-obtainable syringe on top of the infusion pump—are not allowed to be taken outside). We rode the elevators up and down for a good long while (I get the impression that staff are used to patients doing this), then took a walk to the far end of the hospital for a Timmy’s doughnut.

All his tubes were taken out at 3:30 this afternoon. As of 9:00 in the evening he’s feeling fine, with all pain management completely taken over by oral meds. Much better managed than five years ago.

Thanks for today go to visitors Pamela and Jeff, Andy (we’re so sorry to have missed you, Andy, but a visiting and babysitting Grandma presented an offer—get out for dinner—too good to refuse!)

Discharge will definitely be tomorrow, but we don’t know when. We’re betting on morning, but still have some meetings with health pros to undergo so I’m guessing we’ll be kept busy during our stay.

Incidentally, Laura and I are sleeping at Sick Kids on alternate nights, and as I just got a quick phone report from last night’s correspondent. Looks like they are looking at taking out the epidural today or tomorrow morning. Likely they’ll be springing him tomorrow.

Much preparation at home for this.

Jon has been telling all of the doctors who drop by today that it is the release date of the Pinky and the Brain and Animaniacs DVD collections Volume 1 (which it is, and ours should be here by tomorrow).

Gotta run!

First off, thanks to everybody who has been commenting and emailing. It really gives Mom and Dad something to look forward to!

For the first time in 8 days, Jon’s slept comfortably, thanks to the epidural. The nurse found him in fetal position at one point, which he hastened to stretch out, though Dr. Narayanan and his orthopaedic Fellow later dismissed any concerns; Jon’s apparent comfort was evidence that he was in no pain. Besides, Botox (FYI—Botox has been used for decades for medical muscular cases, but only recently did it start getting used cosmetically) takes a day or two to affect the muscles, we were told.

So today Faye the ortho-tech came along and slapped on two “zimmers” — padded yet rigid legforms; overgrown double-sided shinguards, really — which keep Jon from bending his knees. For the first week or two, Jon will have to wear these all the time, and after that as much as possible. They are there entirely there to stretch his hamstrings.

Jon got his appetite back starting at midday, and gradually getting back into eating, with proper pizza and a hot dog for dinner.

Nurse Deme got us out on walk today (notice the IV and epidural machines behind); it turns out that this was the goal of the physiotherapy dept. and also helps address concerns of post-op chest infections.

Jon spent most of the day watching DVD’s, and mostly ignoring guests such as David Barker and Richard Leung, and of course, Grandma. His body is clearly showing some relief, but now that he can’t move his legs, he’s once again a little stiff and grumpy about it. We’ll start to reduce his addiction tomorrow…

A threesome from Sick Kids’ Pain Management Team came in twice today to ensure that Jon was comfortable, and were quite happy. So far, his comfort level is far higher than it was five years ago, and we are very impressed. Everything about the level of care is sharper.

Incidentally, to follow up on our Laura’s comment in the last post: Jon will indeed need an osteotomy on his other hip, and it will be happening sometime next year. The ball and socket didn’t form well enough, and the leg is now slipping in the socket and it would lead to early arthritis and many bad things. If we can catch it as he continues to grow, we can reestablish the solid joint we had. Sigh. So this isn’t over for Jon yet.

Grandma showed up third day in a row this afternoon and kicked us out to eat away from the hospital. What a star! Thanks Grandma!