When I arrived in Cincinnati on Sunday it was late and Jacob was already asleep.  As is the routine, around midnight it was time for a diaper change.  First Brian just went in and I stood at the door.  Jacob opened his eyes and Brian said, “look who’s here” and with a big grin Jacob said, “mommy.”  After this brief exchange Jacob sat up and proceeded to tell me all about what he and daddy had done this past week.  He couldn’t wait to tell me all about not having his yellow nose friend anymore.  We all celebrated in the dark with a midnight snack of milk and laughter.  

Jacob hit the floor running in the morning.  No longer attached to the pole when he woke up, he made his way downstairs all by himself.  Luckily I was already up.  He asked for a glass of milk right away.  I mixed a little pediasure in with his milk, and as soon as he tasted it he said, “no milkshake.”  As is my style, I quickly went to the fridge and poured him a new glass of just milk.  He drank it right down, in fact, he drank probably 8 ounces in one sitting. 

Next it was time for oral meds.  He took the first couple pretty well and then I think I went a little too fast and pushed a little too hard and he threw up.  He threw up all that milk and all the meds.  He was so afraid and kept saying, “What happened?”  It broke my heart.  I knew I had to call the doctor, but I didn’t want to because I was afraid she would say we needed to put the nose tube back in.  She didn’t say that at all.  She was pleased that he was trying to take the oral meds and that he had drank so much milk already.  The throwing up didn’t bother her too much.  She prescribed some anti-nausea medicine and suggested mixing his oral meds with milk.  I thought this was a pretty good idea too and put his morning dose of acyclovir in a small glass of milk and handed it to Jacob.  He took one swig and said, “no acyclovir in your milk.”  This kid is way too smart.

I was nervous when Brian left, feeling the weight of getting Jacob to eat and take his oral medicines so he wouldn’t have to get another tube placed down his nose.  It’s amazing how I can make things about myself when it’s really not about me at all.  Jacob rose beautifully to the unpleasant challenge.  I put his meds in little cups and spaced them out by half hour increments and he took every last one of them.  He did gag a few times, but did not throw up.  He was a little hesitant about taking the medicines at times, but I just explained to him (didn’t threaten or anything) that he had to take these medicines or we were going to have to get another yellow nose friend.  I barely finished my sentence before he chugged the medicine – that nose tube had to be so uncomfortable for him. 

Anyhow, he did great with them meds and I hope tomorrow will be just as good.  One the eating front…he probably took in around 30 ounces of milk and water and the doctor wants him to drink at least 40 ounces of liquid.  We have some room to move as Jacob is up on his weight.  I am hoping the doctor will give us a few days to work at eating before she would say we needed the feeding tube again.  Please pray for Jacob to be able to eat more tomorrow.  I can’t wait for the day when he may actually enjoy eating again.  Thank you all so much for your love, concern and prayers.