Therapy, Therapy, and More Therapy . . .

Today Brendan worked hard!  And I mean hard!  He did everything he was asked, and he did it without complaining.  He even took his Miralax and used his nasal spray! (He hates those!)  Why?  The doctors and nurses started dangling this carrot out in front of him -- they told him he might be able to go home this weekend.

So what does Brendan have to do in order to go home for a few days?

Show his speech therapist he can eat and swallow and that his cognitive function is normal after another surgery. . .

 Show his Physical Therapist that the nerves affecting his left arm can function normally after being stretched in surgery. . .

 . . .that he can get up and walk. . .

 . . .that he can climb the stairs at home. . .

 (FYI: the IV lines have a 5 1/2 stair limit.)

. . .that he can go down stairs safely as well. . .

 (Brendan wanted to know why they even had this at the end of the hall -- But it sure made him laugh!  Then the nurses told him it's a good way to get kids to walk down to the end of the hall!)

When Brendan's Physical Therapist finally saw that he could get in and out of bed by himself as well, then she signed off that he had completed everything he needed from her to be released from the hospital.

After getting back to the room, Brendan enjoyed a game of chess with Hillary, his child-life expert, then sat in the chair to eat his lunch.  Dr. Monroe, the head & neck cancer surgeon from the Huntsman Institute came to check on Brendan while he ate.  Brendan didn't know who he was (since he didn't see him during surgery, obviously). But as he and I visited, Brendan scrutinized his badge (which had "Surgeon" stamped under his name).  Then Brendan's eyes narrowed, and he said, "Hey! Are you they guy who cut my neck?"  He had to admit that yes, it was him.

 Then it was time for a well-deserved nap!  Brendan slept for 2 1/2 hours.  A big thank-you to the charge nurse who put the "Do Not Disturb Unless Absolutely Necessary" sign on his door.

Occupational Therapy was waiting for Brendan to wake up so she could work with him too.  Brendan had to show her he could dress himself without help.

 Then he had to show her he could move his head from side to side, up and down, and ear to shoulder on each side.

My homework today was reading up on chemotherapy, and power packing calories!

 I also met with the Primary Children's school coordinators to work out a plan to get Brendan's schoolwork from his teachers at home and schedule time to do that work here at the school zone just before radiation each day (that he can).

Another thing Brendan had to check off was being able to use the bathroom by himself.   He is also working on keeping his neck straight so he can strengthen the muscles on his right side.

Tonight he is tired, his head hurts, and he is ready to sleep.  Several doctors (ENT and Oncology) stopped by to check on him to see how close he is to being released.  Brendan was able to talk the ENT doctors into D/C-ing (new medical jargon I learned last night = discontinuing) his nasal spray and nose ointment (for the sore on his nose after sinus surgery).  Then he talked the oncology doctor into writing orders to not have the pulse/ox (pulse and oxygen) monitor on his toe all night and being able to pull the heart monitors off his chest.  (For the longest time, Brendan thought they were saying "pull-socks" for the monitor on his toe and he couldn't figure out why they called it that!)

Having the nurse take off the heart monitors -- doctors orders.

On Friday morning Brendan has his Audiogram (hearing test).  After that we will see if everything is in order and he can come home for the weekend.  His radiation simulation will be done again on Monday, then Radiation Therapy starts on Tuesday.  Right after Radiation, Brendan will have to check back into the hospital to start his first Chemotherapy treatment.  To begin with, Chemo will only be one day -- then another day of fluids and follow up.  From there, we will see how things go.