News Story and Mom of the Year Dinner

I didn't win Mom of the Year, but we had a wonderful time. I wanted to post the link to the news story of Mikan. They didn't upload video to the website, but here is the link to the story:

WSBT Story






Aunt Debbie, Nina, me, Alexa, Angela, Aunt Cindy



Me and Angela (my wonderful friend who nominated me for this honor)




The March of Dimes Mom of the Year Award Dinner was a blast! I saw a lot of family and friends, and some of Mikan's nurses even attended. The winner of the award lost a child after three months in the hospital. She was born at 27 weeks. All of the finalists had pretty profound stories. It was an honor to attend.

Mikan's g-tube problem is solved for now. He now has a fully functioning g-tube in his stomach without tape wrapped around his abdomen. We also have a back-up. Hopefully these last longer than the first ones.

G-Tube Dilemma

Lately we've been having problems with Mikan's g-tube balloons bursting in his stomach. We've gone through two balloons in three weeks. Each one is supposed to last three months. Our home care company warned us that they would have to start charging us whatever our insurance wouldn't cover. They are $219 apiece. Well, we ordered a back-up a week and a half ago when the first one burst. I called to follow-up about not receiving a back-up twice after my first phone call. Guess what? Last night our back-up burst. Why wasn't one delivered? I'm not sure. No one thought it was immediate enough of an issue to bring one out yesterday evening, so this is what we had to do to Mikan's stomach to make sure the damaged one didn't fall out.



Today I have to run into South Bend and miss Mikan's PT in order for him to get a new g-tube before the weekend. No one was driving out to our area today, so we were informed we had to pick one up ourselves. John's at work and I am leaving for Indy in a few hours, so as soon as his home care nurse arrives, I am off to get a new g-tube. Why do they keep bursting? We are going to try and return the damaged ones so we hopefully don't have to pay. Sigh.

A Trip to the Dome

Mikan and Dad at the Golden Dome



Mikan in front of Touchdown Jesus



Mikan checking out the football stadium



We took advantage of what was possibly the last warm day of the year by walking Mikan around Notre Dame. We had to delay his nap, so we drew a little attention with a few of his stroller tantrums, but overall he enjoyed getting outside and seeing the sights. Mikan has no comment on the Notre Dame game last Sat., but he's happy for the Colts.

Mikan's sleep schedule is still a little erratic. He wakes up sometimes before 5 a.m. no matter what time we put him down in the evenings.