Surgery update...

Fletcher's surgery went very well this morning. We left TCC at 5:45 and returned around 11:00 this morning. It was a very simple procedure since they just took out the port and didn't replace it. Fletcher bounced back quite well. He took a nice nap this afternoon while I was taking Maddie to see an endocrinologist and then to the dentist where we found that she has 4 cavaties. It's been a very busy day and we're all tired. Thanks for your prayers!

waiting to go to the OR...

Surgery for Fletcher...

Fletcher is still having problems with his port. The skin has not gown back over it and they have to keep a special dressing on it. And the dressing really bothers him and he just scratches at it anytime he can get his grubby little hands on it. We have come to the decision to remove Fletcher's port and NOT replace it. He's been doing so well lately and the last time he had Pamidronate they used a peripheral line and he did great. So there is really no need to have immediate access to a line. And it will give his little chest more time to recover from all the lines he's had over the last four years. The port that he has now is in his leg and it's been a pain in the behind since the day he got it. So, Thursday morning we'll go to Children's Hospital and Dr. Tuggle will remove that nasty ol' port. It's kind of a relief to think about one less thing to worry about with our boy. We'd appreciate your prayers. I'll keep you posted. Thanks!

Fletcher does the classics...

Fletcher's been in rare form lately...

Will you look at that...

Since my last post on October 12 you'll remember I posted a video of Fletcher 'standing'. It took TWO people to help him stand. In 11 days Fletcher is only needing the assistance of ONE person to help him!! Watch him push down with his feet like he's supposed to! Proud doesn't describe how I'm feeling!

Look who's standing...

Today I had a meeting at TCC so I left my camera in Fletcher's bed just in case he had PT this morning. He did have PT and a nurse videoed it for me. This video took my breath away...

They recently measured Fletcher's legs and one of them is 3/4 of an inch shorter than the other. They are having a special lift made for his shoe so that he'll be able to balance better. Once the lift is done Fletcher will get to start using a gait trainer, which is basically a walker. Exciting things are happening with our boy!

Here's what Fletcher's been up to lately...

Like I said in my last post we brought Fletcher home for Craig's birthday and we went to the Buddy Walk to support my niece Kylie, who has Down Syndrome. Fletcher did great, probably one of our best trips home! Fletcher is doing so well these days! He's started standing in the stander twice a week and is doing great! We had his Patient Care Conference and he grew another inch! Two inches in six months! That's a miracle folks! We saw a plastic surgeon this week about removing the nevus from Fletcher's neck, forehead and right temple. He'll be having surgery in about a month or so. We'd truly covet your prayers as we make decisions concerning the surgery...I'll keep you posted. But for now here's some fun videos of our silly boy!

Good times...

In late 2007 when we found out about Fletcher's rickets we had to alter his physical therapy...a lot. They eliminated a few things, adjusted a few things but one thing that was very important and very valuable was standing in the stander. His PT eliminated standing because it was just too dangerous with Fletcher's fragile bones. Well, for the last two Thursdays Fletcher has tolerated standing in the stander because this boy is growing, he's stronger and it's just time for him to start working on bearing weight! I can't begin to tell you how exciting this is for me. Fletcher looked so BIG and TALL in that stander yesterday and I was so proud of the forty minutes of his hard work! We did have to work overtime trying to keep him busy and distracted. Fletcher is also rolling over now and bearing weight on his arms which is an amazing accomplishment for our little guy! I can't say it enough...the Lord is working a miracle in Fletcher! It's such a privilege watching the Lord at work in Fletcher's body. Almost two years ago we were working a plan of letting him go, managing his pain, preparing ourselves for the worst. This boy was 'wasting away' his bones were, for lack of a better word empty! They told us he had the bones of a 95 year old woman. Look at him now! Nothing is going to stop him. I believe one day Fletcher Samuel Burns is going to walk! I'm so grateful to feel hopeful!

He did it!! And with a smile on his face!

Fletcher and a very proud Mommy

Fletcher's last Pamidronate infusion went well. We did have one problem. Fletcher had to have a peripheral line since we were having problems with the port. Well, on the second day of the treatment they found that his IV was in an artery instead of a vein! Not good! But it all turned out fine they changed it out and put it in his other foot and finished the treatment. Through the process we found that the port is clean. No MRSA and it's usable. Praise the Lord. They are keeping it covered and using a special bandage that should help the skin grow back over the port. So, we'll see what happens and I'll keep you posted.

We are bringing Fletcher home today! We have a few things planned. We're going to the Buddy Walk at the Bricktown Ball Park then home for football and a yummy birthday dinner for Craig! I'll post pictures soon. Have a great weekend!