The Morning Report

<>This is the morning report
Gives you the long and the short
Every grunt, roar, and snort
Not a tale I distort
On the morning report

Sorry, I couldn't resist ... I loved "The Lion King" musical when we saw it in Tulsa. It also doesn't help that the theme for Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital is a jungle :)

There's a lot going on this morning, so hopefully I can remember it all!

I came in this morning and Aidan was agitated, but only because they had just changed his diaper. The nurse said he had another great night and only gave problems during diaper changes and position changes. Even then, he could still calm himself.

The nurse also informed me that the physiatrist had got back early. They got on the phone with her and she gave the all clear to move him to the Carolinas Rehabilitation Center at Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. So, tomorrow morning (approx. 10 AM), they will transport him there to begin his rehab!

The turnaround he has made the past few days has been absolutely astounding! Whether it was the prayers, the reiki, the valium, or a combination of it all, I have no idea; however, I am so glad that he has made such great progress.

Right now, Aidan is sitting up in a Tumble Chair. Occupational Therapy put him in it and he is doing very well. The last time they put him in it, he was storming and very uncooperative. Now, he is actually sleeping! He looks very much like he does when he would fall asleep in his car seat.

For those who are wondering, this is what the Tumble Chair looks like.


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There is a meeting scheduled for 2 PM today to do a "final debriefing" for here and prepare us for what to expect at rehab.

I want to take the time to go ahead and thank all the wonderful doctors, nurses, therapists, and staff here at the PICU of Jeff Gordon. All of you have treated us great and, most of all, believed in Aidan when it seemed at times like all hope was lost. I promise to get a picture of everyone who is here today or tomorrow and post it on here.

I also want to thank the First Responders who came so quickly to his aid that fateful day. I promise we will bring Aidan to see all of you sometime soon.

Most of all, I thank my mother-in-law for being a health professional first and Nana second. I would have never been able to do what she did knowing that it was my son I was doing it to. I love you, Sonia, and greatly respect you for what you do.

I also have to thank God for giving me the courage to jump in the pond to rescue my son, as well as the peace of mind to be able to talk to the 911 dispatcher when all hell was breaking loose around me. Maybe it was all my "training" through Boy Scouts that allowed me to go into auto-pilot that day, but believe me when I say it is a whole lot different when it is your child you are rescuing for real and not some First Class Scout or a Scoutmaster from another troop you are rescuing in a simulation.

Through it all, I have gained a much better understanding of my favorite verse in the Bible. What is my favorite verse, you may ask? Philippians 4:13.

--Russell