Week Two in Review

We have spent the week establishing a daily routine, adding weight every day. As of Saturday, Kadence is at full weight of 18 pounds. Dr. Heflin’s said that if she can tolerate it, they may add more, but as the one who has to transfer the weight from the walker to the bed I (Mimi) marvel that she is able to get around the way she does with that much weight attached to her head!

As Kadence is the only halo patient at the time and all other patients have been discharged we basically have the run of the hospital on the weekends. We spend our time having races around the playroom (which is a huge rotunda with great acoustics), singing tunes from the Lion King at the top of our lungs and dancing along. It is great fun for us … not so sure about the two nurses that are on duty or the security guard. So far, I think that Kadence has been able to keep them all amused. She is definitely a favorite. One of her nurses even came by on her day off to wish Kadence Happy 4th – so sweet. Saturday we ordered pizza and had a pizza party with the staff who had to work on the holiday. Monday a new halo patient is to arrive so, while Kadence is very happy, we are going to have to start behaving ourselves.

Monday: We just met the new halo patient Leiannah who is several years older than Kadence but both hit it off well. The staff were happy to have Kadence as the “halo ambassador” and I think that Kadence was able to offer some reassurance to the family.

We have been amazed at how quickly we are able to see some changes in Kadence’s back and posture. We took pictures the night before coming in and the same pose after just two weeks. Her appetite has improved immensely and she has gained about 2.5 pounds since she got here. It is exciting to watch as the halo does its magic…five weeks of this and then the rods

Biggest news for upcoming week is the Mom is coming on Friday and will be here for the weekend. The countdown begins….

NOTE: If you would like to receive updates by email as we post, please subscribe to our blog (link to the right of this page) and feel free to share with trustworthy friends.