Gavin Christopher Owens » October 2007 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Wed, Oct 31, 2007 7:54 PM
And so ends our hospital free streak... We were admitted this afternoon to duPont and are awaiting results of blood cultures due to his fever. Adam and Madi are staying over at the Ronald McDonald House and Madison will be spending the day here at the hospital with me tomorrow.

I will update if anything changes. Thanks as always for your prayers!

Comments:
dawn: Ok- this stinks. But think of it this way. Yout dont have to pay for gloves while you are there!
I love you guys---let me know if there is anything I can do!

Amy Basciani: I thought something might be up. I had not heard from you. I will keep you both in our prayers. If you need a middle stop for you or your husband and madison. I am only 20 minutes from Dupont. Madison can come play or you guys can just get a non hospitol type shower. Let me know what I can do. If you need some spare clothes, I am not far at all and would love to help. I feel like I owe it to others after so many people have helped our family with our illness. Take care, keep your head high. Love Amy

Jill Heintz: Gavin you are always in our prayers. We are praying that this is just a fluke fever and that you will be back home soon. Karen remember to focus on the positive even though sometimes it seems impossible to do. Maybe next time Gavin is home he will beat his 8 week home record:)
Take care.
Jill

John: God's hand is with Gavin. God has taken care of you in the past and will continue to do so. Susan and I will be praying for you.

Randy & marilyn: Oh, Karen, So sorry to hear that. We'll pray for good results. Have a good day!

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Mon, Oct 22, 2007 5:45 AM
It has been seven weeks since our last hospitalization and this is one of the longest stretches since early last year. Gavin continues to remain about the same. He has put on some weight, which I think is helping him with his temperature control a bit. Feeds are still a battle. He was doing better and then had a night of retching and distention that kinda threw him back again. We are just hoping and praying that we can get these feeds up so we can begin to get him off of the TPN. As time goes on we all are just really tired of all the tubes and wires attached to him. It would just be great to pick him up and turn around without worrying about where all the tubes are. Gavin was transfused almost a month ago and his hemoglobin came up to 9.7, which is really great for Gavin. So far I believe he is holding or close to holding that number.

Our nursing situation seems to be improving a bit although nothing has been finalized. We are still in need of a few nights a week to be covered. This has been a huge battle with the insurance company, which is return has been stressing me out beyond belief. For those of you who do not know how life work with lots of different equipment... all pf those things come from different providers who I have to stay in contact with and who call my house on a regular basis. I deal with about 5 of them on a regular basis and now the insurance company is making regular calls that are not helpful and just down right upsetting. We are trying to keep a good attitude but it just gets tiring answering the same questions to 10 different people, none of which knows my child.

Our biggest prayer need right now is Gavin's J-feeds. He has to be able to tolerate them or we are going to have go down a road that we don't want to think about. Thanks for all your faithful support. Adam and I would be lost without our friends and family!

Comments:
Fava Family: We are still praying for Gavin's health to improve and for your family's continued strength.

Amy Basciani: Hi, that is so great that he has gained some wieght. The pic of him is adorable. I wish there was something I could do. Just one night of a peaceful sleep, I am sure you could use. Your whole family are in my prayers.I have three words for you insurance companies suck!!! But the important thing is your great attitude. You are such a strond and loving mother just from what I saw at the hospitol the other day. I know with you continued strength this will all be an obstacle in the past. God Bless. Have a good night.
Amy Basciani

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Wed, Oct 10, 2007 9:52 AM
Nursing....

We have gotten to the point of all out frustration in trying to find nursing. People will not take our case because they hear it's a 2nd floor apartment in Pottstown and they think we live in the slum.

We are willing to take anyone with an RN or LPN behind their name. It doesn't matter if you can only do one night a month -- we need you.

The more you can do the better but we really just need you to watch over the warmer and make sure Gavin does not pull off his probe. Winter is coming and we need this to happen.

Currently we are in need of coverage from 10pm to 5am on Wednesdays and Fridays and some Saturdays.

If you can help PLEASE contact Harleysville Pediatrics @ 215-513-7455 and ask for Eileen as she is Gavin's Case Manager. She knows that I'm posting this and is expecting your call!

Comments:
Melissa Derrick: Hello Owens Family,
I know a few LPNs and RNs who work in pediatrics. I'll ask them. As always, I'll keep you in my prayers. God bless and love you!!

Melissa.

Raeann: Hi
I was a CNA, but I don't think that counts :( I am praying for God to bring someone! I met you at church once or twice, and Gavin is such an awesome little guy :) You guys are awesome too :)

Gardner gang: We're praying for the right person and will add this to our church's prayer list as it is in your area too! The stigmatism about pottstown is so old... it can really be a cute and fun town and your place is adorable! You guys are amazing and we're praying for you! If Madi ever wants to come hang out with another active two year old, just holler! Noah and Callie would love some company so you can squeeze in a mommy nap with Gavin!

Mary Alice Carpenter: I wish I could help you find some nursing help. Not being from the area I don't know many people. I would notify every Church in your area. Good Christian people are always there for others. Good Luck in your search and I'll pray that some Florence Nightingales appear w/wings! God Bless

dawn: unless RN stands for Really Neat...I am not qualified. If only they could see how NICE you apartment is and how HUGE Gavin's room is.

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Sun, Oct 7, 2007 4:31 AM
It has been a long week. Gavin started out the week with a nice Staph infection in his GJ stoma, which has been difficult to get rid of. We started on a 2nd antibiotic yesterday. We are hoping to kick this minor infection now before it has the chance to make it's way to his line.

Oh, yes about the line... Yesterday morning Gavin and I were sitting on the floor. I stood up holdin Gavin in my arms unaware that his central line was under my foot. Gavin and I went up and his line stayed down. It snapped. So off to the ER we went and luckily they were able to repair it but not without having to place a peripheral line because of Gavin's dextrose dependence. It was a horrible moment filled with lots of guilt and I glad it's all over and we are home.

Feeds are still a major battle at this point. We are still waiting to here of some type of plan. We are also waiting to hear a plan concerning his dextrose infusion. I was originally told that this was going to be a temporary thing but it seems like he is just becoming more dependent on it.

On the positive side Gavin seems to be putting on some weight. He needs the extra fat to help him with his temp this winter so I'm really hoping that he will bulk up this next month or so.

Thanks to all who participated in Gavin's Golf Outing. It was a great success and we are just so grateful to all who had a part in this event!

Comments:
Erica (Carrie Anne's friend): Just wanted to tell you that my son has a g-tube and I've caught in on the crib and yanked it clear out of him. My girlfriend's husband did a similar thing to their son pulling him out of an exersaucer. Not a fun experience, I'm sure, but you're certainly not the first, hon :)
Hang in there - you're doing a great job!

rayjane@comcast .net: Karen No need to feel guilty. Give me a few minutes of your time and I'll remove that feeling in no time. You are on top of things so well, it never ceases to amaze us of your vast knowledge. Love to you all Gram

Mary Alice Carpenter: Guilt is a word that should not even be in your vocabulary. You know STUFF happens! You are all doing a great job through some difficult times. Hope the infection goes away soon. God Bless....prayers continue and hope Gavin gets chubby!

Dawn and Ava: Hello Buddy... we missed seeing you yesterday. But it seems you are keeping yourself busy! Remind your mom, she is just like all the other mommies out there...(none of them are perfect). In fact, gavin, my mommy dropped the moisturizer cream on my forehead the first week I was home...that hurt (both Ava and mommy).
We love you.

Jess: No need to feel guilty you are doing an amazing job and are an amazing mother. I don't know how you do it, but you always do it finese. Glad to here about the weight gain! He always looks so cute with the extra chub. We will continue to pray for a game plan! Keep up the great work! Gavin, Melina says Hi!

Fava Family: Keep fighting Gavin! You are certainly a strong little boy. We continue to pray for your health to improve.

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