Firstly let me thank you all for your wonderfully kind comments and support. I went into the hospital this morning and told Ethan of all the people that had sent messages and his eyes lit up. We are slowly reading them all to him and he is amazed and chuffed as to how many people are following his progress and thinking of him. Once he asked if he was a real celebrity and at the moment it feels like he is. Although I told him he was my hero and heroes are better than celebrities!
All things considered we had a great day today. We were told he would be angry and agitated however he was calm, quiet and docile. He thanked the nurses each time they came in and is being super polite and nice. We were told he wouldn’t get his appetite back for a few days as his stomach would be so unsettled however he started asking for food last night and all day today. He kept an ice block down at 3 pm and went well with some liquids after that. So they were able to take his nose tube out tonight! The nose tube is what has bothered him the most (and when I saw how long it was when they pulled it out I don’t blame him). He was able to have his bed inclined up a bit so he is moving towards an upright position. This is important to keep the fluid out of the lungs. He was also able to blow bubbles this afternoon to get the lungs working. So he is ticking all the boxes towards recovery. That is not to say he isn’t in discomfort and in there having fun, but he is progressing in the right direction which is fabulous.
Ethan actually slept on and off the whole day. He would just nod off. Then I would think he was asleep and find that he was awake just staring into space listening to me talk to whoever it was talking to me (community nurse, team nurse, ward nurse, physiotherapist, radiographer, surgical team member, anethetist, oncologist, the pain nurse and my friend Kath who is a nurse in the next ward down). We read a few books when he was awake or he would just lie there and quietly talk small sentences to me. We put balloons and streamers everywhere, well I did but he instructed me on where to put everything. He was actually very clever at it.
Vienna came to the hospital this morning to say hello. Then my sister Laura came for a little visit with her girls and then took Vienna home with her. Blaise went to a mates place after school and then Luke picked him up to say hello to Ethan this evening. Blaise got to stay up late tonight to spend some time with me.It is all working out. Everyone got to say Happy Birthday to Luke!
He might let me post a photo tomorrow, he didn’t want me to post one of him with his nose tube in and I respect that. I always ask his permission before posting photos. He has already lost control of too much of his life.
Today, for the first time, I reflected on when we were told he had stage 5 cancer and given a 50% chance of life. Not once have I ever felt that the odds were stacked against us. The thought of the loss of life hasn’t been been there. We just go through each step expecting the best.
That’s about it. We are counting our blessings that’s for sure. Thanks again for all of your support.
Love Jerusha
Jean Hsu says
That is great to hear!
Hilary Foulston says
HI Jerusha & Luke,
Just a note to say that I am pleased to hear that the surgery went well. Ethan is a trooper. What a brave lad.
I am glad you have a great support group through all this. I am sure that Heavenly Father is watching over you all and sending his angels to bless you.
Donovan & I send our wishes for a wonderful Christmas and many happy times in the New Year.
Hilary & Donovan
Valeree Colvin says
We are so happy to hear Ethan is doing well! Ethan told me how excited Vienna is to go back to play dates for a bit. 🙂 Ryan keeps prayin how thankful he is that Ethan is getting better. We are all so thankful for your family in our lives!! You have taught us so much about faith and love and how powerful it is. Please call if you need any help at all!