Party Hearty in Room 8228

Currently, it's just me and Brayden sitting in a very luxurious room watching "America's Funniest Home Videos". He put down his DS and has started watching - the laughing is turning into coughing, which is apparently what he needs to be doing to break up the crackling in his lungs. Way to go, Brayden - and thank you Tom Bergeron for the extra therapy!

He is doing a ton better - THANK GOD! He still is hooked up to oxygen, but they've taken him down from 4 to 2, and his levels are still up there, so hopefully, by the morning we can go from 2 to zero and get him to the point he no longer needs oxygen to keep his levels where they need to be. The lung x-ray showed "nothing remarkable" and his other tests came back negative....all words you wouldn't want to hear at a parent-teacher conference, but are words of encouragement here.

And speaking of encouragement - oh my goodness, the outpouring of love for our family and Brayden has been so unbelievable. Stephanie was here within the hour that we checked in (with Brayden's favorite Powerade, candy for all of us, and a football purchased on Travis' behalf), Amy brought all of the kids over after school (Andrew can make Brayden smile like no other!), Mark stopped by while on call, Elaina came over after she finished her shift as a nurse in the oncology department, and Brayden's mid-school pastor, Matt even stopped by to say "Hi" and pray for Brayden. And, just before John, Mikayla and the Whites all left, Dennis and Lisa popped in as well. We are so loved, and so feeling it - as simply the amount of Facebook comments would have been enough to be overwhelming without even any visits. =)

So, I think it's looking good that we'll be able to get out of here tomorrow. Brayden just needs to start drinking and eating more (oh, to have that problem!) - and get that oxygen level consistent on its own.... I've already emailed all his teachers to let him know he won't be back this week. So, by the time he returns on Monday the 24th (Lord willing), he will have only been in attendance 6 days for this entire month! He's taken this winter vacation a little far....