We're healthy!

We had a busy but fun and enjoyable Christmas. Brycen loved tearing off the wrapping paper and playing with it. He got so many new toys he can't make up his mind what to play with. During the Christmas break, he figured out that he loves to hold onto things and stand up. It won't be long and he'll be walking. He has been go-go-go for the past week!

We had a rough start to the Christmas season due to me being in the hospital. Christy became supermom/wife and somehow got all of our shopping done and managed to keep our family in order during the hard time. She deserves more than I could ever repay her for her love and support. Brycen and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful mom and wife.

I am almost fully recovered now. I am eating anything I want again and have been up and out and about. I still lack some energy, but I think that's just from being in a bed for 2 1/2 weeks. I go to the doctor today to hopefully be cleared to drive and lift over 5 pounds. I couldn't take not holding Brycen any longer and started toting him around last week, so I expect the doctor to give me the green light.

Brycen had his check-up from his balloon procedure yesterday at Children's. Dr. Fontenot said everything looks and sounds great and we don't have to go back for 4 months! It appears that the bloodflow through his aorta may possibly be pushing back the rest of the coarctation. We hope that this is the case and we hope that the heart patch will continue to grow with his heart! We are so blessed to have had such wonderful care at Children's and even more blessed to have Brycen!

We did have some sad news while at Children's though. Those of you who have followed along with Brycen's situation from the beginning will remember Brycen's friend Caden who was at Children's during our first trip. As we were going to see our favorite nurses yesterday, we ran into Caden's dad. Caden had to have another open heart surgery earlier this month to take out a band placed on his heart during his first surgery. While they were taking out the band, they accidently poked a hole in his heart. This caused many complications and he has also contracted pneumonia. He is in CVICU and has an uphill battle to overcome again. Please remember Caden and his family in your prayers. They are ready to go home and have their Christmas!

We have experienced quite a year and hope that 2009 goes a little more smoothly. But as we look back we are so thankful for 2008. Without Brycen our life would be incomplete. God has truly blessed our family in good times and bad this year. We thank you again for all of your prayers and support this year and we make it our prayer that He will bless you and yours just as He has blessed us. Have a wonderful and happy 2009!

Happy Birthday Charlsie!!!

Kevin planned an awesome surprise 30th birthday party for Charlsie! Everyone was waiting at Shogun Steakhouse when they arrived for their so called reservation for 2 (really was 13). Charlsie was so surprised. After dinner some of us went out for a few drinks. Happy Birthday Charlsie!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas

Who is this funny looking man?

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's St. Nick!

Everyone needs a good laugh now and then

As you have seen in the past Brycen loves bath time. Tonight he was playing with his daddy in the bath and thought it was hilarious! Check it out.

Catching Up

Wow! What a long past few weeks. Brycen had his first tooth come in and double ear infections that have finally cleared up. He had his 6 month shots this past week. Brycen is 75% Height, 25% Weight, and 15% Head circumference. The doctor said "little b" will more than likely be tall and skinny. I think that sounds like a great plan but dad doesn't want him to be scrawny.

Happy "belated" Thanksgiving! This year we spent Thanksgiving at Nonnie and Grandpa's house in Conway!

Today is my 6 month birthday!! I am such a big happy boy.

My first snow! Can't you tell that I just love it. And yes I have a fever and ear infection.

I wish I could just taste the Christmas tree.

We are home!

We are home! We said the same thing about 6 months ago when we brought Brycen home. This time I brought Brad home. He is sore and tired but doing well. We visited with the Gastro doctor and he said the biopsy of the liver showed the mono type virus but they received blood work back and it did not say he had the mono type virus. The doctor believes the diverticulities was causing all the symptoms.
We are so glad he is home! He is on a full liquid diet for at least another week and can't lift anything for six weeks. Brycen can't figure out where his dad has been and why he is back now but won't pick him up. They will both have to adjust.
Thanks for the prayers and all the visits and help we had the past week!
Christy, Brad, and Brycen

patient update

The patient has a form of mono called Epstein Barr Virus. This is making his healing process take longer. He has not had fever in several days. Today he will get the drain out and oral pain meds instead of IV pain meds. Maybe tomorrow he can go home.

The Patient

Brad is in some pain of course (he did have his stomach area cut open). The doctor is pleased with surgery and has now allowed him to have clear liquids. The problem that is occuring is a high fever. They have done a chest x-ray but we have not received the results. They also did a urine test that turned out fine. They took some more blood for other tests this morning. Hopefully they will determine why he has this fever soon.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Surgery is Over!!

Brad is out of surgery. We have not seen him yet. The doctor said he took out 7-8 inches of his colon. The portion of the colon that was inflammed was almost obstructed. The doctor was glad he got it out. Brad will be thankful he did not have to get a colostomy. The doctor said he will have a draining tube for five days or so. He will be in the hospital another week and then several weeks at home. The surgeon says that he will not be eating anything for a few days and then he will be on a strict liquid diet.
We are very thankful for the surgeon and his team! We pray that Brad has an easy recovery.

Surgery Time Set

After reviewing the CT scan the doctor decided that Brad needed another day of antibiotics to help clear the infection. The smaller the infection the better chance for no colostomy and easier healing. The surgery will be tomorrow (Sunday) around 8:00am. We are thankful it was not last night because the surgeon had already done 7 surgeries that afternoon/evening. We want him to be fresh.


We took Brycen to see Brad today and both of them perked up! I know they were glad to see each other.

Please continue to pray for Brad, the doctors, and our family.

bradupdates.blogspot.com

YES this time it is Brad. He really doesn't have his own blog but I feel like he should. As many of you know he has been trying to figure out what "sickness" he has had the past three weeks. He has been treated for sinus infection, kidney stone, and inflammed colon (diverticulities). Well apparently his diverticulities has created a hole in his colon. After some tests this morning the doctor called and said come immediately to the hospital. He was admitted and will have surgery tomorrow morning to remove a portion of his colon. Once again we ask for a little extra prayer!!! Hopefully 2009 will be a smooth sailing year for us. We are so thankful to have been blessed with Brycen and can't wait until Brad feels better so we can do family things again.

I will update after his surgery tomorrow. He will be in the hospital a week and then have 2-3 weeks of recovery at home. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!