Eli's P(oop)log

Alot can change in a year!

2009-05-19T22:21:00.010-05:00

May- Mother's Day- I love my Mom!

April- Easter eggs!

Daddy made our awesome robot cake!

February- we turned 3!

January- Family Day at the Frist

December- guess who?

November- Thanksgiving at Rosemary Beach

Halloween!

October- Franklin Pumpkin Fest with friend Corinna

October- Disney on Ice

September- my first wedding!

September- gymnastics

August- kite flying!

July- Tampa Rays game

I'm sure you've all been wondering what I've been up to and how I've been doing. Well, I'm happy to say that I'm SUPER! Actually, today was kind of a special day for me. It was one year ago today that I had my surgery at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Yup, can't believe it's already been a year since I was the star of the colo-rectal floor. It took a couple of months for my colon to really get in the swing of things, but I've been pooping up a storm since then! Everybody still gets really excited when I poop and even when I have some pretty horrendous gas, although I have to admit that Mom and Dad sure don't hand out the treats like they used to for the time I put in on the potty. I guess that's just because I'm getting so much better at it (and maybe because they were afraid my teeth were going to rot!). Sometimes it still hurts and I have to push really hard, but overall my progress is pretty awesome considering the daily tube episodes that were happening around this time last year. Those, I'm very happy to say, are only occuring once every month or two. So, this May, I'm more interested in playing in the sandbox than playing in the hospital play room, and I get way more excited about going to the park to run and play with my brothers rather than lying in a hospital bed watching Snow White (although I did like that movie). Thank you God for making me well!!
Here are some pictures since you last heard from me...

I've been busy!

2008-06-30T15:24:00.007-05:00

Wow! I have had a busy week since my last post. My Aunt Cynthia and cousins Davis, Aubrey and Shack were here all last week from Oregon. We did lots of fun things like swimming, bowling, picking plums off of Aunt Shannon & Uncle Kevin's plum tree, shooting off fireworks, and oh yeah- lots of pooping. You heard me right (or read me right). I am pooping 2 to 3 times a day, and it's all going in the potty, which Mom says is even better! I'm not sure why that's so much better since it seems alot easier if I just go in my diaper, but whatever. I'll push it out all day long just to get more delicious Jelly Belly jelly beans! I like watermelon flavor best.
Yes, poop around here is a big deal. We are thanking God every day that I am able to get so much out on my own. I am not getting out much gas yet though, so Mom and Dad still pull out the tube every couple of days, but hopefully that will get less and less in time. I just know that I feel good!

Pooping more and more!

2008-06-22T20:47:00.003-05:00

I'm still feeling really great. Yesterday I went poo-poo two times! Once in my diaper and once in the potty, and there was alot both times! Today I went just a little bit. Mommy and Daddy did the tube tonight just to make sure I was cleaned out. I did a good job and got a treat for all my pooping. Yum Yum! I should do this more often! That's all for now. I sure hope this will be a good week. Thanks to all my poop peeps for your support!

To Cincy, to Cincy, to see if my colon was big; Home again, home again, jiggety jig

2008-06-20T22:20:00.003-05:00

Mommy and I just got home a few minutes ago and boy am I happy to be sleeping in my bed tonight! We had a great car ride up to Cincinnati and I was as happy as I could be. As soon as we walked in the hospital, I thought I would show them what I could do and I filled up my diaper with some really smelly stuff. Then, they took a picture of my belly and Dr. Levitt thought it looked perfect! He said I gave him a good scare earlier this week, but that was pretty typical in the first month or so after surgery, and he wasn't worried about me now. Mommy was surprised that he gave me such a good report, but I wasn't surprised a bit. I felt great! He said we could go home, so that's just what we did. But first we went to Noodles & Co. and got me a big bowl of pasta, which I ate every bite of. THEN, we went home. We took a nice detour through Lexington, and I got to see some pretty horses, but Mommy didn't mean to do that. That's okay though. We're home now. Mommy asked me in the car if I was sleepy, and I said, "No, I's happy."

On the road again...

2008-06-19T21:50:00.005-05:00

Well, alot has happened in the 12 days since we've been home. Some good, some bad. I had hoped we would be better about keeping up with this blog, but then we got home, and back to real life. Actually, our normal real life would be welcome right now, but that's not happening yet. The day after we got home from Cincinnati, Eli started throwing up. He threw up for about 48 hours. We were pretty worried about him and weren't sure what was wrong. He was also having really bad diarrea, which we were actually kind of excited about since that meant stuff was moving through! Then Cooper threw up a couple of times, and I got pretty sick for a day too, so we determined that Eli must have had a bad stomach bug. In the midst of all the throw up, we had swim lessons (thankfully no one messed up the pool). That was the fun part of last week. Well, I guess I can't say it was fun for everybody. Eli screamed every time we tried to get him in the water, so he got to sit and watch. Silas did great, and even got brave enough to go off the diving board by the third day- which is a HUGE deal for him! Before these lessons he always had to be clinging on to someone's neck, even if we were right next to the steps. Cooper actually did really well too, and was swimming under the water for a couple of feet from instructor to instructor by the end of the week. I've included some pictures of their swimming adventures. After everybody got better, we had a couple of good days and had a really nice Father's Day. Then Eli started throwing up again and screaming in pain on Monday. Since this was the third time he had done this since surgery, I started to worry that he might have an obstruction. He had pooped a couple of times in the last few days, but not much since all his diarrea the week before. So, I took him to Vanderbilt to get an x-ray. The surgeon there thought that he did have an obstruction in his small bowel, and they were going to admit him and put a tube down his nose to try to clean him out from above. He hoped that this would get pressure off of the obstruction, and it would work itself out in time, but if that didn't work then Eli would have to have surgery. This was extremely disappointing news as you can imagine! While we were waiting for a room in the hospital, we had them email the x-ray to Eli's surgeon in Cincinnati. After he saw it, he called and said he didn't think it looked like an obstruction, but thought Eli's colon was definitely dialated more than it should be. So, we were sent home with instructions to not feed him anything until we had come back for an x-ray on Tuesday. We were sure thankful to be going home with him instead of staying at the hospital, but we were concerned as to what was going on with him. We took him Tuesday for an x-ray and while it looked a little better, it still showed that his colon was very dialated. We could feed him now (thank you!) but Dr. Levitt told us that we need to irrigate him 3x daily for the next week, then 2x daily for a week, then 1x daily and see how he did. Wait a minute... I thought Eli just had surgery with the hope of irrigating less than before (or not at all) and now we have to do it 3 times a day??!! Does this make sense to anyone? I am at least thankful that he is pooping some here and there, and sometimes can actually push it out on his own when asked to. (It's a fun little bathtime game) :) That means that something in there is working, even if it's just a little bit. And, I am thankful that he has been feeling great since Tuesday. He hasn't acted this close to the old Eli since we've been home for sure. Those are definitely some positive things that I need to be focusing on! At this point you are probably wondering what the title of this blog means. Well, Cincinnati called yesterday and said that based on Eli's x-rays this week, they would like to see him tomorrow. Although it's not my favorite thing to be doing this weekend, we do feel better about them seeing him up there since they know him a little better than Vanderbilt does. I am going with Eli early in the morning to hopefully make it for a 2 o'clock appointment. Hopefully they will figure out what's going on with that little short colon of his, and we'll be on our way home before anyone even misses us. They may, however, want us to stick around for a few days to keep a close eye on him. I hope not I hope not I hope not! Please pray for our safety, for the doctors that will be checking him, and for Eli to just start working!! I'll keep you posted...

There's no place like HOME!!!

2008-06-08T23:21:00.008-05:00

We did it! We finally got out of Cincinnati Saturday morning and didn't stop until we got home. As soon as we turned onto our street, Eli started yelling "I see my home! I see my home!". I don't think we've ever been more excited to see our house before (except maybe when we finally got to move in!). Within a few minutes Silas and Cooper were there to greet us and we were all together again. Thank the good Lord for that! What a long three weeks that was. Eli was so happy all the way home in the car; he couldn't stop smiling for 4 hours. I (Shawna) was heavily drugged on some Vicodin, which made my back pain go away, but made me nauseous so I tried not to open my eyes or move much. So I unfortunately did not share in Eli's joy as much as I would have liked! I am doing much better today. I will probably go to the doctor this week to see if they can figure out what is going on with my back since this has happened alot in the last few months, although this was the worst by far.
It really feels good to be home. I don't think I ever want to be gone that long again- certainly not from my boys anyway. Thanks to everyone for the many cards, stickers, balloons, books, animals, and general happy stuff that you sent Eli. He was so happy to get mail and the nurses that would come in his room always commented that he must have a LOT of people love him when they saw all the cards and pictures taped all over his room. He really is an amazing child and had such an unbelievable attitude in spite of everything he went through. His sweet, usually happy disposition made the long hospital stay easier on me for sure.
Upon leaving, his doctor was still very optimistic about his prognosis, even though he hasn't pooped on his own since Tuesday. It is a little discouraging to still have to do the tube, but Dr. Levitt says that it's normal to still have to for maybe up to a month. Please keep praying that his colon will really kick in one of these days and never look back!! That's all for now. We'll keep you posted on the progress of poop...

Out of the ER and going home...

2008-06-06T21:04:00.002-05:00

I'm coming home in the morning. I'm going to spike Mommy's coffee with some pain meds, spike Daddy's coffee with some caffeine and blow this joint. The doctors didn't find anything in Mommy's back. No kidney stones. No bladder infection. No appendisidi...appendicidle... appendaahhh...appendix stuff. I think Mommy will get some more tests at home, but as far as Cincinnati goes, see ya!

Mommy's in the hospital

2008-06-06T14:57:00.004-05:00

After 3 weeks of ME attention, Mommy decided she needed a little hospital care. She was having abdominal cramping and serious back pain. I kissed it, but it only helped a little. I was supposed to go home today. Actually, I was helping Daddy pack the car when Mommy decided she needed to go. We are currently in the ER waiting room....waiting.

Another fun day in the Nati

2008-06-05T22:42:00.009-05:00

Woke up happy again today (not as late though). Went to get an x-ray and said "cheeeeeeese" like a pro. Went to go get a new computer for Mom and Dad since Dad brought ours up here so Mom could work, but it wouldn't. Played in the playroom, tried to put together a 1500 piece puzzle of a Cincinnati aerial map, took a nap. Tonight we went down to Kentucky to see the Woolf pack (Jeff, Michelle, J.J., Angie, etc.) and stayed really late. My x-ray looked good again today but still no poop in 48 hours now. By tonight I was hurting pretty bad, so Mom and Dad did the tube which I don't like, but it sure does help me feel better! We are going to see Dr. Levitt tomorrow afternoon about hitting the road...I'll let you know what he says.

ps-sorry the pics are not very good and we haven't had any video in a while- the camera is dead and the battery charger is not working! The camera phone can only do so much...

Wednesday

2008-06-04T20:54:00.002-05:00

Today was a lazy day. I woke up at 10:30. We ate a late breakfast. About an hour later we ate lunch. Some sweet kabobs and rice. Then we went out to run some errands. Now for most of you this kind of thing is no big deal, but for a fella who has been cooped up in the hospital for over two weeks going to the store is an adventure. Riding on the roads of Cincinnati is like a bumpy roller coaster. Pot hole roads.... tornado alley -- We had a bunch of tornadoes rip through here this evening. The wind was blowing the trees sideways. My wind was burning the leaves. Not much other activity today (down below that is). Mom and Dad had to do the tube. My xray from this morning was clear. Hopefully I will have a good report tomorrow too! Thanks for all of your comments. I love to hear from my poop peeps.

Out of the hospital!

2008-06-03T21:16:00.005-05:00

I escaped. I made a rope out of gauze and tape, tethered it to my crib cage and scaled down the walls of Cincinnati Penitentiary. Well, not exactly. The doctors said I could go, so I left. We are now in the Ronald McDonald House (next door). I am on probation though. I have to check in everyday. As long as I stay clean(ed out) I might be able to go home Friday. Check out the pictures of my escape.

The Good, The Bad & The Smelly

2008-06-03T09:12:00.002-05:00

The Bad: Two nights ago I was throwing up constantly. I was pooping, but it was more like liquid running down my pipes and right out my rear. I was like a fountain.

The Good: Daddy is here. I didn't throw up last night. The doctors said I might be released today. And Daddy is here.

The Smelly: My diaper. I have been exploding out some stuff. Not much, but it's something and it is LOUD. Excuse me.

I feel better today...

2008-06-01T13:16:00.017-05:00

Today I feel a little bit better. I am not throwing up anymore, but I still don't feel great. Dr. Pena thought the antibiotic they were giving me since Friday was what was making me throw up- maybe he was right. (He said he's usually right) I'm still on clear liquids though, and I'm not happy about that. I don't want any more water or juice, and sprite is too spicy for me! My x-ray looked better this morning, so maybe by tonight they will let me eat. I am getting really tired of this place. I sure hope I get to go home soon.

Mommy figured out a way to post pictures from here, so here are some for your viewing pleasure. The first few are from today when I was feeling pretty good, and then the rest are from last week. Silas, Cooper and Mommy went to the Aquarium on Friday. I told them I had been there before, so I would let them go this time.

Please keep praying that God will help me get better.

Bad Day

2008-06-01T07:14:00.002-05:00

I had a bad day yesterday (Saturday). I threw up a few times and felt just awful. I layed in bed and didn't want to eat or drink anything. Once the doctors cleaned me out I flet a lot better. I have been pooping out some liquidy stuff, but I am still getting backed up. Daddy is coming to see me tomorrow (Monday)!

Still Here

2008-05-31T08:54:00.003-05:00

I am still in the hospital. I ate breakfast, lunch and dinner yesterday. I threw up dinner though. The doc put me on a serious dosage of laxatives and Mirilax to get things moving. Even with all this going on, I'm still having fun with my brothers. As of right now, MiMi, Coop and Silas are going home on Monday. I will still be here for a little while longer. I tried to hussle Cooper at the table, but he's pretty handy with a cue stick.

Whoa..... Hang on

2008-05-29T11:54:00.002-05:00

After I pooped the docs took a picture of my belly, and I had a whole bunch of stool in my colon. I am back on clear liquids. So it looks like I'll be in the hospital for a little while longer. After Mom talks to the doctor I will fill you in.

Good News

2008-05-29T09:29:00.002-05:00

This morning I received an early morning phone call from a proud little boy who said, "I went poopoo, Daddy." Eli pooped a couple of times last night! And while the loads were relatively small, they were something to write home about. It is my hope that he will be released today, visit the doctor tomorrow, and be home by the weekend.

I may not have said this enough, but it is your prayers that have lifted us up and God's hand that has comforted us. There is no doubt in my mind that God has led little Eli through this bumpy road and has healed him. And there is no doubt in my mind that your prayers have influenced our Lord in heaven. Thank you and praise God.

BTW: I am home, hence the lack of pictures.

Another day in the hospital

2008-05-28T21:39:00.002-05:00

I was a little too optimistic yesterday. I was not released today. Dr. Pena said he wanted me to stick around for another day or so just to be on the safe side. I haven't felt like eating as much today, but MiMi and Mommy keep trying to feed me. My belly is still soft, and I'm still having gas. Hopefully I will load up my diaper tonight.

2008-05-27T21:37:00.001-05:00

I ate toast and apple sauce this morning, PBJ and grapes for dinner. Mom says I had some wicked gas. It left streaks in my diaper. No poop, but I feel it coming. The doctor says if I poop I can get out of here. Maybe tomorrow I will be released.

Juice Box, Baby!

2008-05-26T16:48:00.005-05:00

My belly got the green light and I sucked down a whole juice box in under 2 seconds. That has to be some sort of record. I felt a little strange afterwards, but I kept it all down! Yay!!

Silas, Cooper & Mimi Oh My!

2008-05-26T16:28:00.004-05:00

Together at last...

2008-05-26T16:24:00.008-05:00

While I was playing in the playroom I was surprised by Mimi and my brothers. They drove all the way from Tennessee just to see me! I was so happy to finally see them again.

Still Waiting for Water

2008-05-26T11:33:00.004-05:00

No water yet. The docs took a picture of my belly and have to make sure that it is ready for the sweet nectar of life. I hope it is soon. In the meantime, I have been playing and creating in my bed. Check out these pictures.

P.S. Jessica is my favorite nurse.

Going drinking

2008-05-25T16:13:00.002-05:00

Dr. Levitt told me today that I get to drink clear liquids tomorrow. Hand me a straw, give me a clean diaper and watch out. I'm not saving any for the fishes.

A goodnight song...

2008-05-24T21:03:00.002-05:00

No Smelly Gas

2008-05-24T15:21:00.004-05:00

Today is my one week anniversary, and still no smelly gas. There is a lot of rumbling in my tummy but nothing squeaking out. The doctor says it might take a while for my colon to "wake up". My body is awake; I am ready to escape, but apparently my poop chute isn't ready yet. Keep praying that my pipes will start working soon so I can go home. One kid can only watch so much TV and I have had my fill of Dr. Seuss books.

Eli talks to Cooper

2008-05-23T20:02:00.003-05:00

I got mail!

2008-05-23T19:12:00.003-05:00

Eli's Adventures

2008-05-23T17:38:00.007-05:00

Today was a big day. I got my catheter taken out. I walked around the hallway. I got lots of mail. I flirted with some nurses. I went down to the gift shop and picked out some Crocs and a cool rocket ship jibbitz (thanks Mr. Brant and Mrs. Molly!). My friends Van, Lex and Bo visited me. I even went to the playroom and cooked up a delicious vegetarian pizza, which some of you might think is oddly cruel since I haven't eaten in a week, but c'mon it's just play food. Speaking of food again, when I get out of this place I am going to have the biggest, juiciest, sloppiest burger. Don't tell my mom.
ps- today is my big brother Silas' 5th birthday! I miss you lots and hope you had a great day!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

2008-05-22T17:27:00.000-05:00

Today is my mom and dad's 9 year anniversary. For a present I gave them some of my best laughs. I feel better today. I even tried to walk, but the pain medicine made my legs like jello. Speaking of food I keep asking for some, or at the very least for some water, but no one will give me anything. I did get a huge dinosaur balloon today from my friends Bryce, Parker, and Grant. He was actually a little scary at first, but after I brushed his teeth with my spongesicle I laughed in the face of fear. Really I just laughed at the dino face. I am off the happy meds (epidural) and on to some sleepy meds. I just took a four hour nap. Yeah I know, that's crazy. I'm watching Bambi now. How does that Thumper do that leg thing?

Eli & The Spongesicle

2008-05-22T07:45:00.000-05:00

Day 2

2008-05-21T16:55:00.000-05:00

Today was the first day of poop! He had a pool of dirty stuff in his diaper this morning. Looks like the pipes are beginning to work. Not fully though. He was distended, so the doctors irrigated him and got out some gas and watery stool. While not his favorite activity, Eli tolerated it well. He only told the doctor "Stop it!" a few times. And believe it or not, he says it rather politely. That episode pretty much sums up his disposition, uncomfortable but sweet. He sleeps and watches TV a lot. He has discovered a new love, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and the spongesicle (a moist sponge on a stick. Yum) . More later.

Day 1

2008-05-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

It's Tuesday, May 20th. "Day 1" as Dr. Levitt calls it, meaning the first day after surgery. Eli had a great night and never woke up complaining. He is still sleeping alot today, although not as much as yesterday! He says he fells pretty good, although he doesn't like it when the nurses or doctors have to check him out or turn him over at all. A few times today, he actually got so mad that he held his breath while crying and turned blue. He's done this before at Vanderbilt, but not here until today. Now they warn any new nurses coming in that "he's a breath-holder!" and have an oxygen mask next to him at all times. Jonathan and I are I guess somewhat used to it, but that doesn't mean it doesn't scare us! He's not talking much and when he does you can barely hear him. It's nice to hear his sweet voice though. Overall, the doctors are pleased with his progress, which is not much more than tolerating the pain well. He is a brave boy!!!