Ringing out the old. . .

Around 2 a.m. this morning Brendan was sick to his stomach and dislodged his feeding tube.  It was poking into the back of his throat, so he pulled it out.  I groaned inside, knowing that would make for a much longer day in Salt Lake than we had planned.  I turned off his feeding pump and he slept peacefully the rest of the night.

By morning, he was tired and upset that we had to leave 2 hours earlier than planned to make it to Primary Children's Hospital to get his NG tube re-inserted.  Brendan wanted to stay and play with his cousins, niece, and family that were visiting.  But the doctors wanted the ENT resident to insert the tube because of all the sinus surgeries he has undergone in the past few months.

To make things better, Brendan's cousin, Marie, joined him for his last day of radiation.

 Brendan's NG (nasogastric) feeding tube was re-inserted and he was told once again that he has to start swallowing or he may lose the ability to do so.

 That didn't convince him to eat any lunch.  Today lunch was on the Radiation team -- we had coupons given to us after we were delayed several hours the other day for treatment.

At Radiation, everything was a last time.  Waiting. . .

Last set-up. . .

And last celebration. . .

Last good-byes. . .

 Brendan brought his mask home and showed it to his Aunt Kim.

Tonight, after a few hours of food (his first since 2 a.m.) and a little rest, he played with his cousins before saying good-bye.  They head back to Missouri tomorrow.

Tonight I was feeling tired and had a headache.  Brendan brought me his electric blanket, massaged my feet the way his Uncle Sheldon and Uncle Sharik had when he had a headache, and stretched my arms the way the physical therapists at the hospital did when he wasn't feeling good.  I was so touched by his kind thoughtfulness. I couldn't help but feel better.

Happy New Year!