The doctors are talking about letting Simi leave the hospital on Sunday, October 9th (today). Simi's doing a lot better now. He's up and walking around and seems to be feeling better.
This evening he gobbled down a huge amount of pizza and some ice cream sundae. Admitedly, he's getting a bit spoiled here in the hospital; he got to eat his ice cream BEFORE he ate his dinner. (It was melting and I wanted to make sure he got as much as he could before it became all liquid....)
Sunday, Uncle Peter, Aunt Karen, and the girls are planning to visit. A visit from Fun Aunt Karen is exactly what Simi needs right now; we can't wait! Plus, Monday is Grandpa Harris' birthday and it'll be really nice to have everyone together to celebrate it.
If we get sprung from here, we'll only be able to post updates via the treo - which seems to allow just a few lines of post. So...we'll post the highlights and then update once we get home (on October 14th).
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Saturday, October 08, 2005
October 8 morning
Simi just woke up a little while ago, and is watching "A Bug's Life" now (the "Ants" movie as he calls it). I (Raj) spent the night with him last night and Liz spent the night with Asher. Simi's doing great, and we expect to be out tonight or tomorrow. He doesn't want to get up and walk around much yet and he need's to do some walking. We're trying to get him to walk to the nice playroom they have here, hopefully he'll be up for that later this morning.
Asher's doing great as well, G'ma & G'pa are taking great care of him at the apartment and he's having a lot of fun with them. He talked to Simi on the phone last night for a minute, just saying "Hi Simi" and Simi's face lit up it was really sweet.
That's all for now gotta run back to the room, I'm sure Liz will post more later.
Asher's doing great as well, G'ma & G'pa are taking great care of him at the apartment and he's having a lot of fun with them. He talked to Simi on the phone last night for a minute, just saying "Hi Simi" and Simi's face lit up it was really sweet.
That's all for now gotta run back to the room, I'm sure Liz will post more later.
Friday, October 07, 2005
October 7th Update
It's about 2 PM and Simi just arrived in the regular cardiac care hospital unit. That means that he is out of the cardiac intensive care unit and in the regular ward.
Simi's lovin' the new unit. He's one of the lucky few who has his own room (it was purely luck that he got his own room!) and there is a vcr in the room and a library of tapes down the hall. There are tons of books and a playroom down the hall when he's ready.
Right now he's thrilled because he gets to have all the chicken noodle soup he wants.
Simi's pain meds now are Tylenol. Incredible that one day after surgery and all he needs is Tylenol.
He went for a walk this morning (he wanted to!), but it was just a litle walk. I think it hurt him so he stopped.
On the flip side, we're dealing with some emotional stuff. Simi's sad and scared (his words). Last night, he refused to go to sleep because he was afraid that they'd hurt him again. And every time someone comes near him to do something, like to pull a line or take an x-ray, it's a really big deal. He "shut down" emotionally last night and is just now starting to perk up a bit. But every time something medical happens - even the least little bit of pain - it's a big deal for him and takes him right back to shutting down again. As a parent, it's really painful to watch. He's a part of me. Seeing him shut-down emotionally cuts right into my core being. But we'll get through this.
Asher's doing great with Grandma and Grandpa Ruben. They're doting on him and spoiling him and he's just lovin' it.
Thanks for all your thoughts and support. It means the world to us. We'll update again soon.
Simi's lovin' the new unit. He's one of the lucky few who has his own room (it was purely luck that he got his own room!) and there is a vcr in the room and a library of tapes down the hall. There are tons of books and a playroom down the hall when he's ready.
Right now he's thrilled because he gets to have all the chicken noodle soup he wants.
Simi's pain meds now are Tylenol. Incredible that one day after surgery and all he needs is Tylenol.
He went for a walk this morning (he wanted to!), but it was just a litle walk. I think it hurt him so he stopped.
On the flip side, we're dealing with some emotional stuff. Simi's sad and scared (his words). Last night, he refused to go to sleep because he was afraid that they'd hurt him again. And every time someone comes near him to do something, like to pull a line or take an x-ray, it's a really big deal. He "shut down" emotionally last night and is just now starting to perk up a bit. But every time something medical happens - even the least little bit of pain - it's a big deal for him and takes him right back to shutting down again. As a parent, it's really painful to watch. He's a part of me. Seeing him shut-down emotionally cuts right into my core being. But we'll get through this.
Asher's doing great with Grandma and Grandpa Ruben. They're doting on him and spoiling him and he's just lovin' it.
Thanks for all your thoughts and support. It means the world to us. We'll update again soon.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
October 6th Evening Update
It's 7:15 PM and Simi's snoozing...so here's a quick update.
Simi's doing incredibly great. The nurse commented that he's behaving more like he just got his tonsils removed than had open heart surgery. He's an amazing kid. It seems like he truly isn't in pain right now. He hasn't had any pain medication since he first arrived at the ICU (noonish). He's telling us that he's not in pain and his heart rate and blood pressure are confirming it. All the numbers on all the monitors are great and the Cardiologist used the following adjectives after his evaluation of Simi: wonderful and lovely.
Although it may be too early to say for certain, it's looking like the defect was closed completely (no leaks). I'm forever indebted to his surgeon, Dr. Pigula.
Simi's only complaint all day is that he's thirsty. We gave him water, then juice, then popsicles. The kid's eaten 4 popsicles already; that's a lot based on the nurses reaction.
So, assuming all continues to go well, he'll move to the regular ward sometime tomorrow.
Asher has had a wonderful time with his maternal grandparents today. It's nice that he's had a chance to have this kind of good quality time with them; we don't get to see them so frequently. I guess this is a silver lining - a nice side benefit of our "Boston Adventure".
We'll try to update again soon.
Simi's doing incredibly great. The nurse commented that he's behaving more like he just got his tonsils removed than had open heart surgery. He's an amazing kid. It seems like he truly isn't in pain right now. He hasn't had any pain medication since he first arrived at the ICU (noonish). He's telling us that he's not in pain and his heart rate and blood pressure are confirming it. All the numbers on all the monitors are great and the Cardiologist used the following adjectives after his evaluation of Simi: wonderful and lovely.
Although it may be too early to say for certain, it's looking like the defect was closed completely (no leaks). I'm forever indebted to his surgeon, Dr. Pigula.
Simi's only complaint all day is that he's thirsty. We gave him water, then juice, then popsicles. The kid's eaten 4 popsicles already; that's a lot based on the nurses reaction.
So, assuming all continues to go well, he'll move to the regular ward sometime tomorrow.
Asher has had a wonderful time with his maternal grandparents today. It's nice that he's had a chance to have this kind of good quality time with them; we don't get to see them so frequently. I guess this is a silver lining - a nice side benefit of our "Boston Adventure".
We'll try to update again soon.
Simi update
The last post got truncated, but I'm gonna try again anyway. We're with him in the ICU, he's talking and moving a bit. He's doing great!
828 Karen came back to tell us that started making the incision
10:00 We haven't heard anything yet so we asked for a status update
10:10 Karen called back for us and found that they're warming up to take him off the machi
828 Karen came back to tell us that started making the incision
10:00 We haven't heard anything yet so we asked for a status update
10:10 Karen called back for us and found that they're warming up to take him off the machi
Simi's in Surgery
Simi back to the operating room at about 7:30am. We met our liasons Sheila and Karen, who talks to nurse Kathy, who is in the operating room. They'll let us know when they make the first incision, then when they have him all hooked up to the heart-lung bypass machin
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Leaving on a Jet Plane...
This is it - the beginning of our Boston Adventure, part II. We're leaving momentarily for the airport.
Yesterday Simi was as whiny and clingy as an infant - and crying just as much. I guess it's the 3 year-old way of getting the stress out.
Today we're hoping to make it to the aquarium in Boson to have one last bit of fun. Tomorrow, a different kind of fun begins.
Yesterday Simi was as whiny and clingy as an infant - and crying just as much. I guess it's the 3 year-old way of getting the stress out.
Today we're hoping to make it to the aquarium in Boson to have one last bit of fun. Tomorrow, a different kind of fun begins.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Preparing Simi for Surgery
We've been slowly preparing Simi for his open heart surgery. Our first trip to Boston was one big step in that direction, allowing him to get acquainted with the hospital and staff, along with having a ton of fun while we were there to give him some good experiences to associate with it.
Next step in preparation was in showing him the calendar and all of the events coming up: Asher's birthday, Simi's first birthday party, open heart surgery, Simi's second birthday party, Halloween and Simi's birthday, and Christmas.
Through hearing us talk, Simi's gotten the understanding that this is a big deal and that something big is going to happen to him.
The hospital had given us a booklet to guide him through the pre-op appointment and surgery day and his stay in the hospital - to help prepare him for what to expect. Today (Sunday), Liz tried to read him the book and show him the pictures. He was very uncomfortable, even asking not to read it. In the end, we did, in fact read him the book and look at the pictures, but it was clear he didn't enjoy it. He probably understands more than we think.
Simi did remind us that it wasn't the FOUR of us going to Boston, but in fact, FIVE of us who were going: Mommy, Daddy, Simi, Asher, and puppy (his stuffed toy). Then he remembered that it was really SIX of us going, because baby sister was coming along too.
This may be the last we post before surgery. We'll do our best to update as soon as we can while we're in Boston.
Next step in preparation was in showing him the calendar and all of the events coming up: Asher's birthday, Simi's first birthday party, open heart surgery, Simi's second birthday party, Halloween and Simi's birthday, and Christmas.
Through hearing us talk, Simi's gotten the understanding that this is a big deal and that something big is going to happen to him.
The hospital had given us a booklet to guide him through the pre-op appointment and surgery day and his stay in the hospital - to help prepare him for what to expect. Today (Sunday), Liz tried to read him the book and show him the pictures. He was very uncomfortable, even asking not to read it. In the end, we did, in fact read him the book and look at the pictures, but it was clear he didn't enjoy it. He probably understands more than we think.
Simi did remind us that it wasn't the FOUR of us going to Boston, but in fact, FIVE of us who were going: Mommy, Daddy, Simi, Asher, and puppy (his stuffed toy). Then he remembered that it was really SIX of us going, because baby sister was coming along too.
This may be the last we post before surgery. We'll do our best to update as soon as we can while we're in Boston.
Simi's 4th Birthday Party, part I
Because of the impending open heart surgery, we chose to hold Simi's 4th birthday party prior to the surgery. It was this past Saturday at My Gym in Cary.
Simi was so incredibly excited. He's been waiting for this day and his birthday party for a LONG time. It was absolutely perfect. 20 energetic 4 year-olds and their siblings played hard at My Gym for 2 hours. Both Simi and Asher were so excited that they couldn't even think about napping afterwards, and they even had a difficult time going to bed that evening, despite their exhaustion.
One reason they were both too excited to sleep was because we pulled out "THE BIG" birthday present: Simi's first real bike (with training wheels). Then, we made a presentation out of Simi gifting his tricycle to Asher, who was so excited, he wanted to sleep with it that night.
Simi was so incredibly excited. He's been waiting for this day and his birthday party for a LONG time. It was absolutely perfect. 20 energetic 4 year-olds and their siblings played hard at My Gym for 2 hours. Both Simi and Asher were so excited that they couldn't even think about napping afterwards, and they even had a difficult time going to bed that evening, despite their exhaustion.
One reason they were both too excited to sleep was because we pulled out "THE BIG" birthday present: Simi's first real bike (with training wheels). Then, we made a presentation out of Simi gifting his tricycle to Asher, who was so excited, he wanted to sleep with it that night.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
The Last One Riding
Simi had "Bike Day" at school a couple of weeks ago. The kids in Children's House parade out to their bikes at the track and then ride around the track for a while while parents and teachers watch and take pictures. We missed his first Bike Day because of Asher's endoscopy but they told us he was the last one riding that time, and sure enough this time he was again.
This picture doesn't capture the sound of his classmates and the parents and teachers cheering as he came down the homestretch. Not bad for a kid with a hole in his heart :-)
Asher's Birthday Week-end
Sometimes, all the planning you do pays off; Asher had a wonderful birthday week-end.
True to form for a two-year old, Asher wasn't sure what a birthday is or why we were making such a fuss over it. He had a great time regardless and enjoyed the festivities.
The festivities began Friday afternoon with a small party at his daycare. The kids had a special afternoon snack of cupcakes and milk and sang some party songs like "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider".
Saturday we had swim class in the morning, but that's part of our normal routine. Thankfully, Asher fell asleep in the car on the way home from swim, so he got in a bit of a nap before his party.
Saturday afternoon was party time at the Little Gym. The Little Gym staff did a better job than we ever imagined. About 13 little ones joined in the fun and had a great time. Again, Asher wasn't sure what all the fuss was about or why he was the center of attention, but he enjoyed it just the same.
Sunday, his actual birthday. For the most part, it was a low-key day. After nap-time, we celebrated his birthday again with an allergen-free cake and pressies. Simi and Asher gave each other mini-cooper cars (we have an obsession with mini-cooper cars in this household) and Asher got a pressie from us, his parents. Then, since Raj's parents couldn't come to us, we went to them so they could say "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy in person. By this time, Asher was really getting the hang of this birthday thing and just loved it when we sang to him.
From a mom's perspective, I got to reminisce about the day Asher was born. His birthday takes me right back to that sweet day that he came into the world.
Now on to the next birthday: Simi's.
True to form for a two-year old, Asher wasn't sure what a birthday is or why we were making such a fuss over it. He had a great time regardless and enjoyed the festivities.
The festivities began Friday afternoon with a small party at his daycare. The kids had a special afternoon snack of cupcakes and milk and sang some party songs like "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider".
Saturday we had swim class in the morning, but that's part of our normal routine. Thankfully, Asher fell asleep in the car on the way home from swim, so he got in a bit of a nap before his party.
Saturday afternoon was party time at the Little Gym. The Little Gym staff did a better job than we ever imagined. About 13 little ones joined in the fun and had a great time. Again, Asher wasn't sure what all the fuss was about or why he was the center of attention, but he enjoyed it just the same.
Sunday, his actual birthday. For the most part, it was a low-key day. After nap-time, we celebrated his birthday again with an allergen-free cake and pressies. Simi and Asher gave each other mini-cooper cars (we have an obsession with mini-cooper cars in this household) and Asher got a pressie from us, his parents. Then, since Raj's parents couldn't come to us, we went to them so they could say "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy in person. By this time, Asher was really getting the hang of this birthday thing and just loved it when we sang to him.
From a mom's perspective, I got to reminisce about the day Asher was born. His birthday takes me right back to that sweet day that he came into the world.
Now on to the next birthday: Simi's.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Preparing for Asher's Birthday
Asher's birthday is Sunday (September 25th). We've been preparing his birthday bash(es) and now they're finally upon us.
Tonight we're baking the allergen-free cupcakes for the party at Asher's day care. That party will take place tomorrow afternoon at school (in place of afternoon snack). It'll be low-key: cupcakes and party songs, like "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and, of course, "Happy Birthday".
Saturday afternoon is the party with friends at the Little Gym. About 13 two-year olds are going to be there. Then Sunday is the party at home with family.
Next week we celebrate "phase 1" (pre-surgery phase) of Simi's birthday. Stay tuned for a list of those events....
Tonight we're baking the allergen-free cupcakes for the party at Asher's day care. That party will take place tomorrow afternoon at school (in place of afternoon snack). It'll be low-key: cupcakes and party songs, like "Wheels on the Bus" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and, of course, "Happy Birthday".
Saturday afternoon is the party with friends at the Little Gym. About 13 two-year olds are going to be there. Then Sunday is the party at home with family.
Next week we celebrate "phase 1" (pre-surgery phase) of Simi's birthday. Stay tuned for a list of those events....
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Awaiting Christmas
Lately we've been doing a lot of talking about time - particularly on when certain things are going to happen. For example, when is Asher's birthday party, when is Simi's first birthday party, when are we returning to Boston to close the hole in Simi's heart, when is Simi's birthday (and second party) and when is Christmas. Simi continually asks when "baby sister" will be born. "When Christmas has come and gone", is the usual reply.
Now Simi says that he wants Christmas to "come and go" so that "baby sister" will be here.
Does that mean we get to skip the toys?
Now Simi says that he wants Christmas to "come and go" so that "baby sister" will be here.
Does that mean we get to skip the toys?
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Tattoo Baby
One method we use during potty training is rewarding the behavior. You make a pee-pee on the potty, you get a sticker. You make a poopy on the potty, you get a tattoo. Kids seem to absolutely love the temporary tattoos and they've been a great reward.
Asher is no exception. He just loves stickers and tattoos. And he loves using the potty. Better said, he loves being just like his big brother.
So when Simi says he has to go potty and runs to the bathroom, Asher says he needs to go too. And he does. How can this kid manage to poop on command, I'll never know, but he somehow manages to do it.
Both arms are completely full of tattoos - and he's so proud to show them off to everyone he sees.
Now we're going to have to put them on his legs.
This kid is essentially potty trained and he's not yet two.
Asher is no exception. He just loves stickers and tattoos. And he loves using the potty. Better said, he loves being just like his big brother.
So when Simi says he has to go potty and runs to the bathroom, Asher says he needs to go too. And he does. How can this kid manage to poop on command, I'll never know, but he somehow manages to do it.
Both arms are completely full of tattoos - and he's so proud to show them off to everyone he sees.
Now we're going to have to put them on his legs.
This kid is essentially potty trained and he's not yet two.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Post from my Treo
I wonder if I can blog from my Treo... If you can read this then I can!
Do you know what this means? It means that we'll be able to post updates into the blog while we're in Boston for Simi's surgery.
Do you know what this means? It means that we'll be able to post updates into the blog while we're in Boston for Simi's surgery.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Simi's Bad Day
Today's Monday. Normally, that means that Liz picks Simi up from school at 4 PM (ish) to go to soccer practice. Because of the upcoming surgery and since he would only be able to attend 2 of the 7 weeks in the session, we chose not to enroll Simi in the next session of soccer. Unfortunately, we didn't tell Simi and even more unfortunately, we didn't tell his pre-school teachers. Since it was Monday, they got him all ready for soccer...and Liz didn't show up.
To make matters worse, he lost the sunglasses Liz gave him just yesterday. He was sooo proud to have sunglasses just like the ones Daddy has, that he happily and proudly wore them into school.
Now THAT's a bad day.
To make matters worse, he lost the sunglasses Liz gave him just yesterday. He was sooo proud to have sunglasses just like the ones Daddy has, that he happily and proudly wore them into school.
Now THAT's a bad day.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
The Best Part of a Fun Week-end
Our week-end was jam-packed with activities. Normally, we like to plan a bit of fun along with a bit of rest and some routine chores (i.e.: food-shopping). This week-end was an exception - there was just too much fun stuff to do.
Friday night began with a "cruise" at the swimming pool at SAS. Both boys ate a hardy meal at Wendy's before the event. Now, if you know Simi, you know that "Simi" and "eating well" are not words you normally say in the same sentence. Needless to say, it was thrilling to watch him eat so well.
Lots of fun at the pool --- and both boys fell asleep as soon as they lay down on their beds.
Saturday was equally fun-filled with swim lessons in the morning and a birthday party in the afternoon...
On Sunday, Liz and the boys went to the supermarket, while Raj did yard work, then it was off to the swimming pool after nap time.
According to the boys, want to know the MOST FUN activity this week-end? It was playing hide-and-seek with the sheets after they came out of the dryer and before we folded them.
Friday night began with a "cruise" at the swimming pool at SAS. Both boys ate a hardy meal at Wendy's before the event. Now, if you know Simi, you know that "Simi" and "eating well" are not words you normally say in the same sentence. Needless to say, it was thrilling to watch him eat so well.
Lots of fun at the pool --- and both boys fell asleep as soon as they lay down on their beds.
Saturday was equally fun-filled with swim lessons in the morning and a birthday party in the afternoon...
On Sunday, Liz and the boys went to the supermarket, while Raj did yard work, then it was off to the swimming pool after nap time.
According to the boys, want to know the MOST FUN activity this week-end? It was playing hide-and-seek with the sheets after they came out of the dryer and before we folded them.
Friday, September 09, 2005
A SpiderMan Birthday Card
We've been doing a lot of talking about birthdays lately. Asher's birthday is at the end of this month and we're having Simi's birthday party early (October 1st) before he's off to surgery. Since Asher is an incredible fiend for The Incredibles, that's what his birthday theme will be. Simi has chosen a Spiderman theme for his party.
Raj's birthday was yesterday. Upon seeing the cake and learning that it was his daddy's birthday, Simi said, earnestly and excitedly, "Daddy, you need a Spiderman birthday card! Mommy, go get him one!"
Simi got lots of hugs.
Raj's birthday was yesterday. Upon seeing the cake and learning that it was his daddy's birthday, Simi said, earnestly and excitedly, "Daddy, you need a Spiderman birthday card! Mommy, go get him one!"
Simi got lots of hugs.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Conversations with Asher
This morning, while Asher was playing outside with his daycare class, he tells the head teacher, "I'm thirsty". Bridget says, "OK, let's go inside and get you some water." To which Asher replies, "I want orange juice." Bridget replies, "Asher, we don't have orange juice." "Apple juice?", Asher asks. "No juice, Asher, we only have water right now", replies Bridget. "OK, then. Water's good." says Asher.
Quite a conversation coming from a kid who's not yet two.
Quite a conversation coming from a kid who's not yet two.
Monday, September 05, 2005
How Can We Explain It To Our Children?
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I find myself trying to answer one basic question: How do we explain what happened in New Orleans to our children?
I've been hiding the news of the storm's aftermath from both Simi and Asher. Asher is not yet two, so he's still rather oblivious to things not in his immediate world. But Simi is nearly four and is starting to understand and ask questions.
Simi hears things. He hears the news on television or on the car radio. He hears the two of us talking about the news. He hears his teachers talking. He's my son, and because of that, I want to shield him from the tragedy in New Orleans.
But what do I say if he asks?
Mommy, why did the rivers flood the city? Mommy, why did all those people and their pets die in New Orleans? Why were people forced to stay in that building - with no food or drinking water, no place to bath or poop, in the squalid, stifling air with no electricity? Why didn't anyone help them, Mommy?
How do I begin to answer his questions?
I've been hiding the news of the storm's aftermath from both Simi and Asher. Asher is not yet two, so he's still rather oblivious to things not in his immediate world. But Simi is nearly four and is starting to understand and ask questions.
Simi hears things. He hears the news on television or on the car radio. He hears the two of us talking about the news. He hears his teachers talking. He's my son, and because of that, I want to shield him from the tragedy in New Orleans.
But what do I say if he asks?
Mommy, why did the rivers flood the city? Mommy, why did all those people and their pets die in New Orleans? Why were people forced to stay in that building - with no food or drinking water, no place to bath or poop, in the squalid, stifling air with no electricity? Why didn't anyone help them, Mommy?
How do I begin to answer his questions?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
