New Little Brother

This week Raul got a newborn foster brother! Raul says he is "Raul's baby", and seems to like having him around so far! I can't post a picture of the baby, but here is Raul giving the baby a kiss after school today! 

Happy Birthday Grandpa

My grandfather's birthday is this week, so we went down to Cape Cod today for a birthday lunch! Raul loved getting to sit on his lawn mower (or tractor in Raul's world). This past week was my dad's birthday while Raul was in the hospital, so we also gave him our gift today. And Raul even got an early birthday present! It was a fun day, and Raul did great both there and with the car time (he slept on the way home)!

Busy Inpatient Week

We are home tonight after being inpatient since Sunday. We started at Children's Hospital, and ended at Shriner's. Last week Raul had been experiencing a lot more pain than usual, low grade fevers, and then Sunday there was an area on his ankle that appeared may be open to tendon. We took him to the ER at Children's, and he was later admitted to the ICP (intermediate care unit). He was started on IV antibiotics, given strong medicine, and seen by many specialists. On Tuesday they decided to place a PICC line under anesthesia to administer his IV antibiotics and much needed blood (he was severely anemic, hemoglobin down to 5.9). That night he was also transferred to Shriner's hospital to seek out more advice on his wounds and wound care. Raul enjoyed being transferred by ambulance!

Unfortunately there were a lot of communication errors and changes to his care during this transfer. The days at Shriner's were very stressful. We met some very nice staff, but unfortunately they were often overshadowed by the not so nice staff and the many communication issues. Luckily they thought his wounds looked good and thought I was doing a great job with his wound care. They believed that what we were seeing was not actually tendon or bone, but maybe tendon sheath. The surgeon did not recommend doing anything at this time as he thought there would be more harm than good. Raul got his blood transfusion and two iron infusions while there as well. Tonight before discharge they decided to pull his PICC line (originally we were told 6 weeks of IV antibiotics). He is not on oral antibiotics even, but they did write a script for his new pain medicine. We are hoping they are right and he doesn't have a deeper infection, but since there was no proof either way, we will have to wait and see!

Second School Day

Today is Raul's second day of school! We are having a strange heat wave, and it is going to be in the nineties today, so he wore a cute summery outfit. Last night I was able to get confirmation from the school that their A/C is still running, and that they wouldn't take him outside in the heat, so hopefully he is having a good day!

First Day of School!

The bus was half an hour late, so we had plenty of time for pictures! The bus company didn't have working phones today, but luckily they came eventually!

Pre-School Visiting Day

Visiting day at school today! This is Raul's second year in this classroom. None of his friends were there while we were, but he got to be the center of attention with all the grown ups! The little girl in the picture is the twin of one of his new classmates who was meeting with the nurse. This year HALF his class are in wheelchairs, though all the others are more medical strollers. It is cool though, because last year he was the only one, and one of only two in the whole school. He was nervous about going this morning, but excited once he got there and found the trucks! Next Tuesday is his first real day this year.

 

Labor Day Weekend

Raul has gotten to see lots of animals. Here he is petting the blind horse down the street 

He has been running some fevers, and during those times just likes to relax with the iPad and his feet up!

Today we went to a bigger farm to look around

Then Raul came home to throw rocks!

He also likes to sit in Teddy's dog bed; and Teddy doesn't mind sharing.

Watching his new favorite video: the into. to "Mighty Machines"

Getting some momentum to sit up

 

Raul playing outside