March 27th, 2007

Time/Toles    

Posted by Laura.

Laura Interesting comparison of Time Magazine covers for this week [whoops—they've changed issues already]—all the international editions feature a cover story on the resurgence of the Taliban; the U.S. cover features a story titled “Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public School”. Reminds me depressingly of a Tom Toles cartoon from two years ago.

Comment by Tamiko — March 28, 2007 @ 5:23 pm

After all that you guys have been through I would think everything will be depressing to you– especially politics!

Do you think nurse Photon could help?

Comment by Richard — March 28, 2007 @ 8:21 pm

Speaking as a former Time Person of the Year,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:TIME_Person_of_the_Year_2006.jpg

I must say that I’m appalled.

Comment by aiabx — March 29, 2007 @ 8:50 am

Richard-
You are self-centered and delusional.
That isn’t you.
It’s me.

March 26th, 2007

…Jiggety-Jig    

Posted by Peter.

Jon sleeping against car seatbelt
As we pulled into the neighbourhood, a heavily drugged Jon fell asleep in relief.

PeterWell, much to the relief of Photon, the entire pack has returned home, a little worse for wear. Jon is still under much pain management, with this massive wedge making huge problems in transport (fitting through doorways, for instance) and posture. And now that Laura has made it through the recent challenges in reasonable shape, her body has lapsed into a terrible cough and chest cold.

We’re going to lay low for a bit. ;-) Thanks for all the kind words and thoughts!

Laura lying down, Jon in osteotomy wedge
The troops.

Comment by Patti — March 27, 2007 @ 8:20 am

Welcome Home Jon! I am sure Photon was so excited to see you. Hope you start feeling better and you can get off the pain meds soon. We’ll come and see you when you want some visitors and when your mom feels better.

Take care of yourselves P&L. Let us know what we can do.

Comment by paul — March 27, 2007 @ 9:43 am

missed the blog for a few days. much has been happening. Hang in there. if inventiveness is required you know where to find me.
Paul

Comment by Leslie — March 27, 2007 @ 2:32 pm

Hey there — so sorry to hear about all the difficulties with pain management this round, but am glad to hear you’re all home now (and I’m sure Photon is glad too — David’s been telling us all about her.) Let us know if you’d like a dinner delivery anytime soon!

And Jon, I like your Queen’s shirt — I have one just like it :)

March 26th, 2007

The Wedge    

Posted by Peter.

wedge and zimmers

PeterThis what we’ll be dealing with for the next 12 weeks or more. What you’re looking at is a big white styrofoam wedge, with velcro straps wrapping around two grey zimmers (the overgrown shinguards also known as “knee immobilizers”).

If it’s like the other two times, it’ll be six weeks all the time, and then six weeks at least in bed. The beauty of it is they can come off for showers, baths (in a few weeks when he can have one) and weight-bearing in water (starting in about three weeks!).

I don’t look forward to dealing with this sucker in the middle of the night when Jon wants to roll over. But it is a huge improvement over the A-frame cast we were dealing with 5 and a half years ago…but Jon is a lot bigger.

Peter holding Jon...

Comment by Mrs. Gallo — March 26, 2007 @ 9:25 am

Dear Jonathan,

Hi! I hope you are getting stronger and feeling better. I know it will take a while but my thoughts and prayers are with you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
We all miss you at school.
Take care of yourself.

Love,
Mrs. Gallo

Comment by Kathleen Worthington — March 26, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

Hi Jonathan,
Wanted to let you know we all miss you in room 113 at SunnyView. We hope you have a speedy recovery and we will see your smiling face again in our classroom soon. Your in my thoughts and prayers during this recovery time. Keep smiling and I look forward to seeing back at Sunny View soon.

Kathleen Worthington (E.A.)

March 25th, 2007

Day 5: Last night in 5A27    

Posted by Laura.

Laura We’re definitely getting down to the short strokes now: Jon’s been completely de-tubed, with the IV coming out around dinnertime. Nice, substantial dinner; then at around 7 p.m. we’ve had our first poop (which apparently—from Jon’s expressions—was akin to giving birth). We’re waiting for a visit from the physiotherapist—about the only reason they want us to hang around until tomorrow.

Comment by Loris — March 25, 2007 @ 7:27 pm

I thought blogs were supposed to be fun and not actually make you cry, but cry with this one I did. But maybe that’s just one way of sending Jon and you two some caring energy for all that you’ve had to go through — and relief that this particular episode is drawing to an end, with good results.
It was wonderful to hear about Sick Kids’ respect for parents.
Thanks for putting in the Photon inquiries to give us all a laugh as well.
Hope this next week goes so smoothly and sweetly, you are all recharged. I may have to bring over more pies to even begin to express my best wishes for that.
Loris

March 24th, 2007

Day 4 Wrapup    

Posted by Peter.

PeterJon ate well and then got a new dose of morphine and fell asleep by 7:30. Prior to that he was on his belly for close to 4 hours, most of that time he was twisting around without much discomfort while watching both his DVD player AND a vidoetape on TV. They removed his dressings and his incisions are looking luverly.

He’s sleeping peacefully right now, knock on wood. Poor Laura! Not only is she the one with the lingering nasty head cold, but it’s exacerbated by the fact that she keeps getting the nights where Jon isn’t in a happy place, while I get the tranquil shifts. Well, maybe I should stay another night. Then again, there’s talk that we may be discharged tomorrow, so I may just have equine footwear administered rectally, as they say around here.

March 24th, 2007

Animals People Have Compared Photon To…    

Posted by Peter.

Photon
Rabbit
Leopard
Jaguar
Hyena
Dingo
Panda (!!)

Peter(Compiled from recent walks. Aside from asking her breed, the most popular question is “Will her ears stay like that?”)

Comment by Laura — March 25, 2007 @ 12:33 pm

Can’t say I’ve ever gotten that question. I’ve mainly been asked how tall she’ll grow.

Comment by Peter — March 25, 2007 @ 7:46 pm

And today…Cheetah

Comment by Pamela — March 26, 2007 @ 4:29 pm

A poka dot dog

Comment by Peter — March 28, 2007 @ 11:41 pm

Two more from recent walks:

Monday evening: Leopard seal
Tuesday: A deer.

March 24th, 2007

Day 4 Report from the Field    

Posted by Peter.

PeterLaura reports that Jon slept well til midnight, then off and on from there.

This morning, his medical status is ABG: Alert But Grumpy.

Comment by Laura — March 24, 2007 @ 7:09 pm

On and off because he slept solidly from late afternoon til midnight and just wasn’t sleepy anymore! Not much to report from today, except that they took his catheter out (one less tube, wheee!). Ten hours later he still hadn’t peed yet, so for about half an hour a nurse and I were trying to get Jon to pee (among the highly advanced medical techniques used: running faucet, hand in warm water). Concerned, she went to call the doctor on call about whether we’d have to reinsert a new catheter, but luckily while she was on the phone Jon managed to pee, whew.

Jon is now on morphine orally rather than via his IV, so much of the electronic gagetry has also been turned off. This allowed us to ride the elevators and toddle along the corridors without too much baggage in tow. Interestingly, Jon’s IV contains only the basic IV stuff; no painkillers, no antibiotics. It’s nice to see the non-use of antibiotics in a hospital.

Much of his dressings will come off today. It’s looking like, barring any sudden problems, discharge will be right on schedule, either tomorrow or Monday.

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