what a good day

We can now officially say that Lars had a whole good day. No episodes of crying or pain or fussiness. No morphine needed, but continued valium every 6 hours. Happy boy. Ate well, interacted, played, vocalized, napped, ate some more, bounced, smiled, even giggled in his sleep.

If we had done something different yesterday, like started him on a new med, or taken him off of something, we would have attributed today's good day to whatever we had done differently yesterday. Even when we think we know, we never do. We're just guessing & that seems important to remember.

Had a slew of short visits from great docs like Cute Jockey Doc, Dr. Buff Spikey Hair, Dr. Energetic Cruise Ship Director (anesthesiologist for tomorrow's procedure; thanks to Michelle for that name), and Dr. Warm Eyes from the complex care service. Great folks doing their jobs well.

Saw KitKat, the nutritionist, for the second time. Helpful with ideas for extra calories. Lars is maintaining his weight at 31, still down from 35, but at least maintaining.

The odoriferous roomates left. Hallelujah.

The countdown is on until Lars is npo ("nil per os," nothing through the mouth) after midnight. Procedures aren't scheduled until 2:30, so we'll have a very hungry baby bear on our hands. We've stuffed as much food as he can possibly take into him tonight (gracias to Denise for expert food shovelling), and he's been on IV fluids.

Dr. Sharpntiny from GI came by & discussed tomorrow's procedures. She explained that while they are definitely sending a tiny light and camera down to chart the territory of Lars' esophagus, stomach & upper small intestine, and that if there is something major happening with any of these areas they might be able to see it, the main focus will be on collecting tissue samples that they will then biopsy and tell us the results in a week's time.

Ph probe goes down like an ng tube, and is attached to a monitor of some kind that will be strapped to Lars for 24 hours. The results of this also take a week to process.

Definitely tests we've been waiting (& waiting) for, and I'm preparing myself for the possibility of inconclusive results, or needing to wait another week and remaining in the place of uncertainty. Which it seems we're all in anyway, we're just able to deny it most of the time.

A slew of photos from today's Larsman Groupies.
Cousin Jean & Kathleen:

Denise & Kali, though Kali somehow escaped the photo op:


And Michelle:



AND tonight Grandma flew out from California to stay with us for a week and a half & help out. How wonderful is that?