Update #27

Chase got casts on his feet today that will be on until next Tuesday, and then a new set will go on until his permanent ones come in. He was fitted today for those; we picked out army camo and greens for the colors. The brace will be on as he re-learns to walk again. He stands on the balls of his feet and having the casts/braces on permanently stretch his little tendons so his brain can re-learn "oh! That's how we stand."

He is also going to be getting a special x-ray on Friday or the latest monday to see how he does with swallowing. He had chocolate milk this morning for speech in addition to his pudding. The liquid ran fast and surprised him but as he is warmed up to it - it's one step closer to getting his feeding tube out.

He is still on medication that is helping with the storming, one of the side effects is drowsiness / fatigue. Although he would be resting much on his own anyway, this dose works for chase as his brain needs to continue to heal and re-burn pathways.

He is trying more and more to talk. The therapists are confident that any day now he will get stimulated enough and a word will just pop out. He has so much to say and he gets frustrated that the words won't come, but as one of his therapists said "they are in there."

He is still consistent in letting us know when he is wet (in his "astronaut pants" - thanks mom for helping a 9-year old understand why he is suddenly in a diaper again).

We are reading together every day, which he loves, as well as watching Disney movies and the tranquility channel - which has soft music and ocean and earth scenes. It brings a comforting feeling to the room and definitely comforts chase.

He is IV free. The only thing left on his precious body is his feeding tube. Just think - last week at this time was my birthday and we were praying that his Ct scan and neck x-rays came back positively. And, above anything else - he was still in a coma. He has made major progress and he is working so hard.

We have to continually remind him "soft body" and "breathe" (then model deep breaths) because he wants to work so hard in his therapies that he tenses up and pushes himself. He is learning that to re-gain control of his body, he has to slow down, breathe and allow things to flow. Chase is not the only one learning this lesson.

Chase continues to inspire and teach all those who meet him. He is an amazing child, and I can't imagine laying in bed most of the day, having people poke, prod and ask things of me throughout the day and just taking it with stride.

Slow and steady,

Jen