Remember this.....

26th December 2009  

And while we know the more traditional, dare we say, "normal" way of measuring your child is with a measuring tape and growth chart, we say PHOOEY! to normal and once again bring in.....

 ...the 2litre coke bottle.

As you can see, Sam is doing some sitting again, without any problems. Was not sure if it might result in a bit of discomfort or even pain in the beginning, but it doesn't seem to be the case. We're still trying to maintain some "flat time" a couple of times each day and haven't allowed him to stand or anything like that yet. I still cannot believe how relatively easy it was to enforce the five days of down time AFP ideally hoped we'd manage...somehow I think the problem with Sam's right leg which, for a couple of weeks prior to the op, forced him to adapt to more sitting and lying down than he was used, played quite a significant role in preparing for a very relaxed recovery period as he has never been quite so content to just sit on the floor or on our laps reading or being sung too, etc.

Sam is having an even more trying time than usual with falling asleep in the evenings...perhaps a lingering bit of mild-trauma from the surgery, but we have to be patient and allow him some time to settle down again, even when it takes (like on Sunday evening) almost two hours and a great deal of vomitting before he eventually cries himself to sleep regardless of any amount of walking, singing, lying with him, calming music, a night light...you name it, we've tried it. Already last night went a bit easier and it only took about forty-five minutes to get him down. And speaking of throwing-up, his gag reflex has taken on a whole new dimension to it's sensitivity, where he's even battling to keep down his most-loved foods like vanilla custard and oats and honey. Again, we're going the patience and tolerance route for now and, even though its not nutriotionally the best solution, sticking to the more easily-tolerated of Sam's diet. Will wait it out another week or so, but I think after that we'll have to ask his ST and paed for advice. It's really quite strange though because after his thumb surgery he had this really fabulous appetite.

We are off tomorrow morning to meet with APF's associate, Dr F, at 7:00am who is going to re-dress Sam's wound for him as APF is currently enjoying some much-deserved time away. Quite keen to reassure myself that the wound is doing okay, having taken all Sam's stunts and acrobatics into consideration, which couldn't have made healing all that much easier. Also keen to find out how much longer Sam has to remain "bath free" - apart from the obvious delight Sam takes in his evening baths there's the obvious hygiene problem. Sam has at least one thorough bed bath per day, some times as many as two or three, with all his increased throwing-up but we still haven't found a way to wash that serious mop of hair yet, without putting strain on his back. So, Sam has to make do with me doing what I can with a washcloth and jug, but it's just not doing the trick!!

Although it does look kinda cute afterwards!