Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:11 AM CDT

I guess there is some medical news to report again after a long peaceful time. A couple of weeks ago Aidan got a new brace for his left leg. It is a DAFO, which means it is specially molded to fit his foot. It has a hinge on it so that he can flex his foot less than 90 degrees but not beyond 90 degrees, if that makes sense. His problem is extra tone in his leg, so he will walk on his toes if he is left to his own devices. This brace is meant to prevent him from doing this.

A few days later he acquired a wheelchair. The diagnosis is "limited mobility" which means he can walk but gets tired after a short time because of the left hemiparesis described above and because he is medically fragile and weaker overall than the typical almost 7 year old. So the wheelchair is for when we go on trail hikes or neighborhood walks or trips to the mall, now that he has outgrown a normal-size stroller. He got to choose the color himself -- PURPLE! -- and he LOVES his purple stroller, as he calls it. We go for a daily walk now that it is finally spring in the Sierra mountains. He likes to take turns pushing the stroller by himself and it is good exercise for him.

Then, last week, he had a GI clinic and the doctor decided it was time to finally remove his G Tube -- the feeding tube which goes into his stomach. He has had it for 6 years this June, but has not actually used it since January 2005. So it was definitely time. The doctor said that most of the G Tube openings close on their own within a day or two, so there was no need to go into surgery to put in stitches.

But once again, Aidan looks like being the exception. The site has been painful and leaking and a little infected.
We are treating it topically with antibiotic ointment and changing bandages very frequently. Aidan is so brave about it: "I'm laughing! That tickles!" and he has taken over the job of taking off the bandage, himself. He tells us that "My g-tube has gone to college to see Liam!" -- a double joke since actually Liam, his oldest brother, is now home from college as of last Sunday. Well, anyway, the G-tube is definitely gone, whether to seek out further education in southern CA or no.... : )

The GI nurse has told us that unless the site gets much worse or is still leaking and sore in a week or two, they would prefer to let it alone. This makes sense to us, because we too want to avoid a trip to the operating room under sedation if it can be avoided.

I'll update again soon when we know more about what is going to happen. Meanwhile, his most recent labs are just fine and he continues to grow and eat and learn. He just completed his first T-ball season and now has some athletic skills including batting a ball off a Tee, running to the bases, and sitting in a dugout (at least, for 3 minutes). He also can now chant "2-4-6-8 who do we appreciate!" and walk down a line doing high-fives. His team was the "A's" which to him meant "A for Aidan!" GO Aidan!