June 1, 2002

From Jason: Benjamin has had another great day as he approaches his first month birthday.
He was disconnected from the ventilator this morning. The ENT doctor checked his trach and said it was healing nicely and scheduled his first change for Tuesday evening. Jenny and I will watch and learn this first time, then it will be up to us. He is still being given humid air through a long blue tube. This doesn't help him breath but does make the air he pulls through his trach more pleasant.
They have also determined that he is ready for food and have given him his first feedings through his G-Tube. He seems to be handling these well too. This is a little ahead of schedule. They are starting with small amounts that will increase as his stomach expands. We were told they are also decreasing the amount of TPN (the nutrients that they have been giving intravenously) to compensate for the increase of Milk he is getting.
The best news of today is how comfortable Ben has been all day, He hasn't required any pain medicine and he has been alert and active. He enjoyed some bedtime stories, and watched his mobile go round and round. He really, really, really, loves being held by Mom who was able to hold him twice today. Now that the tube is out of his mouth he can't decide whether to pull on his Humidity tube or the IV that is in his head. So he gives them equal time. We are very grateful that he is doing so well, and pray he will continue this way to enable his quick homecoming. (Still on schedule for Friday!!!)