Almost There

Kai misses his family so much! This morning he drew this picture for me. It's Mama, Daddy and all his siblings.

We're still here. I'm going cover Kai's update but there's no way I could do so without first (again) saying a huge thank you to so many of you. You truly have no idea what it means to me when I open your emails and read that your churches and families are lifting up Kai in prayer. Yesterday I received a phone call from a reader that a mass asking for prayers for Kai had been given at a convent in Santiago, Cuba. Families are praying in Norway, Mexico, Canada, across the U.S., the U.K. and I'm sure there are other places that my feeble mind cannot think of at this moment as I wipe tears away. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! (If I have not responded yet to your emails, I definitely will. The internet connection in ICU is comparable to China's. I guess that says it all.)

In the midst of all of this, there have been so many times this week that I have thought about his birthmom. I would love for her to someday know what an amazing little boy she blessed us with. I know that her heart would fill with joy if she knew how happy he makes everyone he meets, but more importantly how happy he is. That's why watching his struggle makes it all the more difficult.

Kai had a great day yesterday, except when he slept. He's tired. Physically. Emotionally. He's scared and truly doesn't see himself as "sick", making it so hard for him to understand why it is he's here. There's no way you can explain surgery to a 4 year old, especially one who's been through it already 5 times since he's been home. But, man oh, man! This boy is a trooper. He's got a hot, little temper and by no means does he willfully agree to be poked and prodded. Yet, after the moment ceases, he's immediately back to his playful, joyful, loving self.

Last night he had a Sleep Study or Polysomnogram done. The "man in the white coat" came in and Kai immediately became leary and rigid. As the man rolled his equipment-filled-cart into the double doors of the ICU, Kai instinctively knew it was for him. We quickly tried telling him that there would be no ouchies and that they were only putting little stickers on him, like the many that he already has on. No dice. The fear in his eyes set in as he s-c-r-e-a-m-e-d bloody murder, heard throughout the halls of the ICU. I handed him his little pillow, one that he never parts with, and he threw it across the room. I tried getting close to him, he pushed me away. Scott received the same reception to his approach. So, we did what had to be done and held him down for approximately 45 minutes until he was completely covered with gold plated surface electrodes that were glued to his skin and scalp. Then two sensor belts that recorded his breathing were tightly strapped around his abdomen and chest. Finally, the killer was the Nasal Airflow Sensor. This is a long strip that gets taped down to his face, above his upper lip, from cheek to cheek. This sensor records breath temperature, airflow, apnea and hypopnea events.

By tomorrow we should know everything about his sleeping patterns, including how many times he stops breathing, for how long and how often. I know that we watched him and the monitor most of the night and I had to hold my own breath as I was watching his breathing cease for up to 40 seconds at some points. Very scary! He was not allowed to be on HeliOx (oxygen/helium mix that he has been on) nor of course, was any sedation permitted. When his oxygen level went down to dangerous levels and remained like that for more than 10 seconds, a quick "blow-by" of pure oxygen was given to him. These episodes continued the entire night. He didn't sleep well at all, and obviously neither did Mama.

This morning, Scott arrived at the hospital bright an early with breakfast. Kai got his first shower (after much begging the doctors) in almost a week and he looked and felt great. At about noon, I sleepily stumbled my way out the door of the ICU and to the apartment, where I took a quick shower and fell into bed. I awoke 2 hours later feeling so much better!!!!

Since the surgery is tomorrow and Scott has to head back to Fort Myers, it means that I will be manning the fort alone as of tomorrow night. We unanimously decided that I will go get a full night's sleep tonight while Scott stays bedside. That way, I will have the energy to keep going for at least another 3 days. We're reaching the end of this journey, God willing, and I can't wait to get there!

Tomorrow morning, Kai will be taken for an audiology test and then will have his adenoidectomy. We still don't know the time. Most children go home the next day or some even the same day after this surgery, but due to Kai's severe sleep apnea, he needs to remain in observation with monitors in ICU for at least 2 nights. My goal to getting home is Wednesday. If this happens, we just have to figure out how I'll get back since Scott is taking the car back home tomorrow night. But in the scheme of things....that is SO small.

Much love and many thank you's for your prayers.....

Ohilda, Scott, Kai and the entire Bombardier clan!

PS. Some of you have written asking about Scott's version of the helicopter. He did post it. I'm not sure why some of you haven't seen it. You can find it by clicking HERE.