Day 14

We arrived this morning to find Henry wrapped in a Bears blanket.

He had the MRI overnight, and we were told that they were able to get good images.  Unfortunately, we have to wait until our neurologist returns tomorrow to find out what those images show.  A "good image" means a clear picture and does not imply anything good or bad about the findings held therein.  

Henry did have appointments with both the occupational therapist and the speech pathologist.  They agree that he is making improvements but not yet gagging.  We're still waiting for that elusive reflex.  He does now have a nice cough reflex.  Those of us untrained in such matters may even mistake the cough for a gag, but functionally they are distinct.  

Henry did not receive a spinal tap today.  The doctors postponed it until our neurologist is able to read the MRI.  We'll know more tomorrow.  

For the first time, we were able to remove Henry from the nursery!  Because his vital signs have been stable for many days, we disconnected him from all monitoring equipment and wheeled him into a private room where he was promptly taken into the arms of his grandparents.  Meade and I were thrilled to be able share him with family and relieved to know that his nurses and doctors trust his little body to keep his systems going.  

We also got to give him a bath this evening.  As the doctors would say, "He tolerated it well."  We had a blast.  

We had a good day with Henry and are cautiously looking forward to learning the result of his MRI tomorrow.

Thanks to Marcia and Judy for lunch and dessert

Grandparents

Henry