Tuesday, June 6, 2006 11:56 AM CDT

News from the GI clinic yesterday was that Aidan is scheduled for a pediatric surgery consultation, but not until the 13th. That's a week from now and there is no guarantee that surgery will happen right after that either. The surgeon is booked up through summer and basically he will have to decide how urgent Aidan's surgery to close his G Tube stoma is.

This is rather frustrating. We didn't really want surgery if it could be avoided but now that we know the stoma will probably not close on its own, we'd much rather get it over with and get Aidan past his discomfort. He is in pain when he eats and drinks because the gastric acids leak out of the opening (sorry for the graphic details). Yesterday the site was bleeding yesterday and it really upset him -- he hates the sight of blood! Desitin (diaper rash cream) and frequent bandage changes seem to be helpful, and we are going to try Maalox (antacid) at the GI doctor's recommendation.

Other than that, everything is fine on the medical front. His recent labs have been good, he is enjoying walks with his "purple stroller" -- actually a pediatric wheelchair. When he is over this G tube thing, we will be able to go on some hikes further afield than our own neighborhood, and maybe go up to visit his grandma at her cabin by the lake.

Aidan had a birthday last week! He is seven! What a great boy he is turning into! When he feels pain, he immediately looks for something to laugh at or make a joke about. I think he gets that from the Ryan/Lord side of the family, because his daddy is just the same way. Aidan is a trooper!