***** TEAM UP FOR WILLEM FUNDRAISER *****

There has been a community of people that have gotten together to create a fundraiser for Willem.  A few members of said community have requested that I post something about the fundraiser.  Here is a portion of their flyer:

SAVE THE DATE

Please join us at a Team Willem Fundraiser

on Thursday, April 19, 2012

6:30-9pm 

at Keystone Community Church

655 Spaulding Ave

Ada, MI 49301

SILENT AUCTION  KIDS' MOVIE (7pm)  POPCORN  HORS D'OEUVRES  DESSERTS

plus lots of surprises and fun!

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

• Please donate items or services for the silent auction. Some examples already include an Amway Grand Plaza certificate, the use of a convertible for one day, a weekend use of a condo (that overlooks lake Charlevoix) "Up North" and golf packages. Contact Nancy Schroeder at (616) 940-9811 or nancy-chris@comcast.net
• Donate directly on this website or by mailing a check made out to Willem Radosevich, to Fifth Third Bank 4460 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for supporting the Radosevich family

To the Floor

Willem finally made it to school today and I went with him in hopes of spending some quality time with him.  When we arrived, it was "specials" time whereby they are either in music, art, gym, etc; his class was in gym.  We attempted gym with his class and his gym teacher gave him an exercise band for us to work with but it was a wee bit stronger than the bands we use at home so we tried exercising with a milk crate that had an orange cone in it... Willem lifted it for maybe three repetitions, ground to chest, and then Willem screamed in agony. His legs gave out as though they disappeared completely, and he collapsed to the floor -- screaming and in more pain than I have ever witnessed him in.  I knew the answer but asked him what was hurting anyway:  Willem said that it was his back, which meant to me that it was his kidney stone and that it probably had moved again.

Luckily Syd was still there and was exiting the building as I carried Willem to the office.  I asked the gym teacher to run and get Syd.

As Willem lay in pain in the office, Syd sat by Willem's side and comforted him while I called the kidney doctor's office. I spoke with a nurse and she suggested that we immerse him in a warm bath -- I told her to pull up his medical file and added, with as much patience I could muster, that Willem has a bunch of tubes sticking out of his body and cannot be immersed in water.  She looked at his file then promised to inform the doctor then recommended that we apply heat and give Tylenol and suggested to bring him to the ER only if the pain does not go away and he becomes nauseous.

Willem is now resting comfortably on the sofa; heating pad on the back and wrapped in a warm blanket.  My precious little man.

He desperately wants to be in school and it's just not working out for him.

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THANK YOUs

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Thank you again Theresa for the juicer.  Your donation to the cause is curing insides. Thank you.

Thank you Zuke family for your generous donation.  Thank you.

Thank you teachers -- you know who you are -- for continuously making diners for our family.  Erin came into the kitchen yesterday and said, "Ugh... I'm getting fat from all this good food."  Thank you.

Thank You Bosco's Pizza Company

Thank you Bosco's Pizza

A few days ago, while getting his chemo therapy, Willem asked the nurse for his usual favorite condiment packets.  The nurse brought him some A1 and catsup packets.  She also brought a little container of Bosco's pizza sauce that came in a convenient container with a peel-away top.  Willem tried it and his eyes lit up -- he loved it.  Being so limited on what he can eat, I decided that I had to find out how to get some of this pizza sauce.

I promptly looked up Bosco's Pizza Sauce and sent an email to see if it were possible to purchase some for Willem.  I received an immediate email response from Jamie, their marketing and customer service manager, informing me that I could buy their sauce at Gordon Foods but then added that she would just send us some.  Jamie sent two cases of pizza sauce for Willem!  She also sent him two t-shirts, a baseball cap, a stocking cap, a back pack, and mouse pads. Willem was so excited to get mail.  He then asked if he could wear one of his new t-shirts to school the next day.  Of course we said yes but, unfortunately, he has not been able to go to school recently because of doctors appointments.

Thank you again Jamie at Bosco's Pizza!  That was very very cool of you.

Juice

Thank you Theresa for the juicer!!!

Made Willem a juice comprised of spinach, parsley, carrots, apple, cucumber, celery, and ginger. Apart from overdoing it on the ginger it was actually really good.  I made four cups of juice that nobody would drink -- Willem had two sips and then gagged.  Oops.  I will try again today but will flavor to taste with the ginger instead of throwing it in all willy nilly like.

The GI nurse said that Willem could have something to eat by mouth twice a day so I decided to treat Willem's food as a medicine.  After we administer Willem's medicine, we have to clamp him so that the medicine doesn't drain out of his stomach tube so, I figured, why not do the same for the healthy food he's eating.

Here's something exciting:  Willem asked to have some of my cereal this morning...  I eat Kashi! So he got some Kashi with blueberries, strawberries, and banana.

KAIBOSH

The same doctor that told Willem he could have a taco has now changed directions.  The GI doctors do not want us to keep Willem clamped because they're afraid that real food will cause another stricture, or worsen the strictures he already has.  I get that but don't you dare tell my 10 year old, to his face, that he can have a taco and then have your nurse call the house to tell us that he cannot.  I thought it was a stupid idea anyway and there was no way in Hades that I was going to let him have a taco but c'mon...  GI docs don't like my idea of natural foods going the natural way through his system so I'll do what they say.  He is allowed 2 feedings by mouth of things that aren't too aggressive.  Some examples I was given by the nurse were Saltines and Froot Loops.  That's awesome: bleached over processed crackers and chemically colored and flavored cereal.

Hold Please

Something in the universe told everyone to call our house and our cell phones between 9:15am and 9:30am today.  Erin's cell phone rang but she didn't want to get it so I answered it; it was Lincare, Willem's medical products supplier.  As soon as I answered Erin's cell phone, our land line rang; it was the GI doctor's office calling to tell us to unclamp Willem -- to which Erin replied, "no."  While I was on Erin's phone with Lincare, my cell phone rang -- it was a Master Sergeant calling to inform me of a job opportunity (I had to tell her that I will have to call her back).  I had to tell a Master Sergeant that I would call her back.  Not good.  So... Hung up the phone with Master Sergeant, continued my call with Lindcare, and then came another call on Erin's phone while I was on Erin's phone (the hospital).  I didn't answer it.  While not answering the call from the hospital, and while attempting to continue my conversation with Lindcare,  my cell phone rang again. Sorry Syd -- didn't mean to hang up on you.

I cannot believe my heart didn't explode.  Very stressful.  Looking back on it it is somewhat comical.

Thank you Syd for calling the Rays for me.  Thank you Rays for taking Wyatt and Liliana.

Poop update:  There's poop.  And some more poop.  It's pretty alien-looking poop but it's poop.

Pancake Breakfast

Willem had a banana-strawberry-blueberry-yogurt smoothie this morning and an organic kamut pancake with pure maple syrup.  So far everything is staying down and going through.

Willem did wake up at 1:30 this morning and told me that he was hungry.  I attempted to make a vegan protein shake with a pinch of spirulina but the consistency and flavor were... um... undesirable.  This will take some experimenting.

Whirlwind Days

So much news for you today and I don't know where to begin.

I shall start with the not-so-good news first:
Willem has a spot on his lung that could be just about anything at this moment; the doctors do not know.  The major concern is that it might be a fungal infection which would be bad.  We will be meeting with the Infectious Diseases doctors tomorrow and they are going to try and figure out what it is.  The other not-so-good news is that Willem now has kidney stones.  Less of an issue but more on our plate.  His surgery to remove the kidney stones is already scheduled.

Okay... Now the cautiously-optimistic-good news:
Erin screwed up last night and forgot to unclamp Willem's drainage tube so nothing drained from his stomach throughout the whole morning; i.e. it stayed in his stomach.  Under all other circumstances this causes him to throw up because nothing gets through the stricture.  Well, thus far, it seems that Willem is the recipient of a small miracle:  Food seems to be passing through his entire GI system with no throwing up.  Thank you Erin for the goof.

I decided to keep him clamped this morning and test his gut by giving him some tomato soup. When the soup stayed down and in, I gave him a few bites of banana.  Willem then had a bowel movement (an excellent indicator that everything passed through the system).  During Willem's chemo therapy clinic today, I gave him some more tomato soup, 1/3 of a banana, 1/2 of a Saltine, and 5 froot loops.  It is now nearly 5 hours after the last go at solid food and it's still all staying in. Oh... He also had another bowel movement during clinic.  So what I'm looking for now is another bowel movement with different colors and smells.  Gross, yes, but I'm so excited.  His next meal will be a small vegan protein shake with fresh fruit, two small leaves of spinach, and 1/4 teaspoon of spirulina.  Very blended.  If all this stays down through the night, we've got progress -- we can take him off of the formula feedings and the TPN feedings (yes, he's doing both now).

After the agonizingly stressful and frustrating day of yesterday we really need this.  Willem needs this...  He needs this so bad.  To give you an example of how anguished he is about not being able to eat: I over heard him talking in his sleep about how his little sister ate his pancakes.  He can't even get any of his favorite food in his dreams.

If he lasts the night without throwing up, I'm going to make him pancakes in the morning.  And nobody else can have any.

BMT Rescheduled

Willem's BMT pushed back a week.  Some concern that there's an infection in his lungs.

Puting the J-Tube Back In: 2nd Attempt

Doctors found that Willem's strictures opened up a little bit -- enough to attempt to put the J-Tube back in and allow him to go back on the formula feeds.  The formula feeds are better for the liver and, well, better all around.  Erin and I are a little nervous about them putting Willem out for the surgery because the last time they put him out he ended up in ICU.

One of the transplant doctors called to inform Erin that they wanted to get a chest x-ray because the CT scan revealed that there may still be some issue with his lung from when it collapsed after last attempt to put in the J-Tube.

Willem is still working on his food list and has since added a supplemental list for the doctors to have that informs them of foods that he is begging to be able to eat.

Reality Setting In

The 21st of February begins the first of many long days for Willem, Liliana, and the rest of our family. Many tests and much paperwork.  As we draw nearer to the day Willem gets admitted to the hospital for zero-minus-nine to bone marrow transplant, I find myself falling farther away from acceptance and I struggle to deal with the reality of his illness. I struggle to deal with everything.

Willem has spent the better part of his day making lists of all his favorite foods.  Erin took Willem to the store earlier today and they went up and down each food isle so Willem could look at all the food and write down his favorite items -- items that he hopes to be able to eat after his BMT.  I stare at his list and I hope.

Super Hero Bound

Willem was a little upset about life and got into that why-me mode so I explained to him that we don't always know why certain things happen to us and added that it is important to focus on the positives.  It was then that I let him in on a little secret:  I said, "Willem, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Can you keep a secret?"  He said "Yes."  "Willem, when all of this is over with, you're probably going to end up becoming a super hero."  I went on to explain that I thought this because every super hero endures unimaginable suffering before their powers become completely realized. I explained that many have to endure, on top of the suffering, an internal struggle with themselves over right; wrong; and they struggle to persevere. The ones that win this internal battle become super heroes. "So Willem... You're probably going to have some super powers when this is all said and done."

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day at school was a spot of a challenge for Willem today.  For a boy who is not allowed to ingest anything but liquids, today was absolute torture.  He knows that he is forbidden to eat anything that has to be chewed yet he ate a cracker and some chocolate.  Daddy got a little terse with him and simply laid life and things on the line by explaining the possible consequences of his actions.

We received word from the hospital today that they --tentatively -- wish to admit Willem on the 27th of February. The 20th of February will be a 24hr urine collection which will have to be kept in the refrigerator (far away from the apple juice).  Apart from the 24th, and 25th, nothing but appointments and "conditioning" thereafter.  BMT is scheduled for March the seventh.

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This blog has been evolving and what has begun as a means to expedite news about Willem has now morphed into a story about a father's love for his son and his family's struggles.  It is now an amalgamation of abrupt facts - plainly delivered - and sometimes passionate expression of Willem's and my feelings. Once this blog gained an audience that reached beyond a comfortable sphere I began to feel a concern for content and a fear of criticism.  It was at that time that I made a promise to myself that, lest I stop writing all together, I would continue to write with an adherence to fact and without regard for exposure; without fear of criticism.

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THANK YOUS

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Many thanks are owed to the staff at Meadow Brook Elementary.  Many a night has gone by without Erin or I having to cook a meal for ourselves and the children.  Thank you for the great amount of rest it affords us.

As mentioned before, I try to provide a certain amount of anonymity to Willem's donors because I guess that it's the correct thing to do -- I'm not even sure that people want to be mentioned yet I feel it necessary to publicly express our gratitude:

Thank you to the wireless company that sent a very generous donation via mail for Willem's recovery.  Thank you.

Thank you all from whom I received beautiful smiles today at my childrens' Valentine's celebration.  Your encouragement was visible and unmistakable.

Thank you Landmans

Thank you Gawrychs

Thank you Mrs. Klotz

Thank you Mrs. Kemperman

Thank you Mrs. Freyling.

I am missing a few people to be sure -- Please know that you have filled our hearts and my inability to remember is by no means a dismissal.

PT

Willem and I have been working out together in the mornings.  We've worked up to 30 second planks and now we're using my old PT bands to work the back, triceps, biceps and chest.  Did 10 Calf raises. Using the stairs to... um... do stairs.  Even did a little yoga.  I think more yoga would do wonders for him.  When we did the planks together, I put my head on his and tried to send him some lovey-type energy. 

I'm Leaking

The home care nurse arrived at 6pm last night and managed to overwhelm us with equipment and medications but with good notes and practice we'll get the hang of it.  After the nurse left, I hitched up the sled dogs, faced the blizzard, and went back to HDCH to pick up Willem's medications; a whole grocery bag full of 'em.  Erin and I got Willem comfortably in bed and administered his medications and managed to get ourselves in bed shortly before midnight.

At 4:30 this morning we were awakened by "Mommy, I'm leaking."  Willem still has a stomach drain that drains into a bag but the connections are from different manufacturers and do not stay connected without copious amounts of tape -- which eventually loses it's hold.  So... there was a mess to clean up this morning.  Borrowing an idea from a clever nurse at HDCH, I splinted the connections with a plastic spoon and taped each section of the tube to each end of the spoon. It holds but I had to take it apart again to administer meds at 6am.

Thinking again how amazing my wife is to have managed Willem's care in my absence; the time involved; the lack of sleep; the uncertainties...  Hopefully I can do the 7am battery of meds without waking her for assistance.

Outpatient

The news right at this very moment is that Willem will be leaving the hospital today.  Much to do now: have to get meds together; classes for home care.  Many staff visitors -- can't write.

Possible This And Possible That

Might come home on February 10 or might be February 13.  Home care will be a chore but it will be so nice having him home again.

We're still awaiting the results of the MUNC gene test out of Cincinnati but should have that by the end of the month. Once the results come in the BMT will begin. Doctors are saying they will begin "conditioning" Willem at the end of this month or the beginning of March.  Conditioning is a euphemism for what they will be doing to prepare him for his transplant; i.e. high-dose radiation and chemotherapy.  "Conditioning."  Hmph.

I am not sure how Willem is going to physically and mentally respond to the whole process (I don't know how Erin and I are going to respond) but I do know that we're going to need some help and we will be doing our best to reach out to you.  For me, I know I'm going to need a lot of moral support: I'm going to go absolutely nutso watching both my boy and my little baby girl suffer.  Nutso.

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THANK YOUs

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Thank you Mrs. Rentz for giving me a little tap to remind me that you're there.  Keep reminding me 'cause we're going to need you I'm sure.

Attempting Structure

Arrived to find Willem walking around the 9th floor, all by himself, sans IV tower -- big smile on his face.  He waved to me as I exited the elevator, said "Hi Daddy" and then added, "I already did a page of math."  Y'see...We began a new study regimen today that involves less video games and less television:  In lieu of turning on the television or playing video games in the morning, Willem is to do homework from 8:00am to noon.  In an effort to be a part of it, my job is to wake up; rush down to the hospital; do homework with Willem; do fun stuff with Willem; go home; shower; go to work; come home; sleep; repeat.  I will be moved to 3rd shift pretty soon so the routine will be a little different.

Willem has a knack for relaying a story that he has just read about.  And it's looking like we don't have to do four straight hours of homework...  He's way better at math than I am.  Smart kid.  So far Willem and I have agreed that he will do homework from 8am to 10:30am for now and then have some form of "recess" that has to do with activity (right now it's wii sports) -- preferably, PT on the 7th floor.  Reese is coming in with some poster paper and Willem and I are going to try and put a schedule together and see if the hospital will be able to work with us on getting a regimen going whereby we're working the mind and body instead of the thumbs and eyeballs; i.e. video games and television.  I'd really like to see some structure in his day.

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THANK YOUs

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Thank you Betsy for going to the store for us yesterday -- that was a HUGE relief.  The children thank you for your gifts to them as well.  Thank you!

APPROVED

Our insurance company has approved the bone marrow transplant (BMT).  We are not sure when the whole BMT process will start (3 to 4 weeks?) but we shall keep you posted.  

Erin and I have requested surgical notes regarding the most recent surgeries and have been met with some opposition through delay and omission -- especially for the most recent surgery where Willem aspirated and his lung collapsed; causing him to go to ICU.  We've requested the notes for our personal understanding and because it was recommended by a medical professional we respect.  Not being able to acquire the most recent surgery notes is beginning to make us think that there is something to hide.

Physical Therapy: Fun for the whole family

Willem did 10 minutes on the treadmill.  Liliana's Wii-dancing, and Wyatt is... um... watching.

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THANK YOUs

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Thank you uncle Greg for EVERYTHING.  Thank you for driving up from Chicago just to be here for us.  Thank you for the Pokemon cards for Willem.  Thank you for translating the medical-speak. Thank you for taking Erin out to lunch.  Thank you; thank you; thank you.

Thank you Tyler and Lisa for the gift card.

Thank you HDCH and Ba & Em for the Legos.  Legos are appearing from everywhere.

Stressful Morning / Day

What we really need is two of Erin and Two of me...  I have to go grocery shopping and take care of administrative crap at home and Erin is going to the hospital to be with Willem.  I don't want to go grocery store!  I want to go see Willem!  Erin is tired of going to the hospital -- she wants Willem home!

We've surpassed our psychological capabilities I think.

"Home"

We have been hearing that Willem would be allowed to come home soon but one of the doctors stated today that Willem wouldn't be allowed to come home for a while.  Said doctor added that it would be about three weeks (perhaps more) before Willem would begin the transplantation process.

There are two insurance providers for Willem:  TRICARE (the primary provider) and the State of Michigan (the secondary).  The State of Michigan has approved the bone marrow transplant (BMT) but TRICARE is still not communicating.

Willem received a pass to leave the hospital for a while today -- about four hours.  All he wants to do these days is go to the store to buy more Legos but, as much as we feel he deserves whatever he wants, whenever he wants, we are limiting trips to the store.  Heartbreaking... Especially since he has learned that his illness and misery has great power over us.  With much pain in our hearts, we denied him yesterday and made him do a lot of homework today.  If you could have seen his face yesterday when denied that second box of Legos... He has mastered that look that says "Everything that I have has been taken from me and I have nothing. I no longer have any hope. I no longer have any desires. I am defeated and crushed"  Willem's face relaxes and his eyes become blank  Empty. I challenge you to stand in my place, in the isle at Walmart, ambushed, and deny him a box of Legos.

In lieu of shopping today, Willem came home on his pass from the hospital.  Unfortunately, Wyatt and Liliana were in ski/snowboard school at Pando with Ba today so Willem was home alone with mommy (I was at work). Willem spent his time in the basement playing with his Legos.  At some point he said to Erin, with heavy sigh, "When I finish this, you can just take me home."  To which Erin replied, "Honey, you are home."  It absolutely breaks my heart to think that Willem has now equated the hospital with home.  It is time for this disease to leave him alone.

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THANK YOUS

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Thank yous owed are now out of control and some very deserving people will be missed but I will do my best to get everyone.  For those of you that I have missed... Please forgive me.

Again, I am truly amazed and extremely humbled by the community that has come together to help Willem and to help my family.  I would love, one day, to gather us all, in one place, and see each and every one of your faces and to shake every one of your hands.  I would love to personally thank you.  I would love, even more, to have Willem there to see the crowd of people that have united just for him.

Thank you Trish and family for the food I found, quite accidentally, on the front porch: Divine intervention if ever I have seen it.  Thank you so much for the Meijer gift card as well.  It has been so good to know you and your family and I thank you for thinking of us.  We are blessed.

Thank you  Gary and Betsy for picking up the tab.

Thank you to an old classmate of mine from Forest Hills Northern high:  Thank you Joe.  Thank you again and thank you a hundred times more for your generous donation.

Thank you auntie Jane & uncle Bill for the hospital food card thingy:  It's perfect!  We have to eat there so often as we practically live there.

Thank you Karey KH for your donation.  We are truly grateful.

Thank you Despina W for your donation.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you Christopher K. for your donation.  Erin speaks so highly of you -- and always with a smile and stories that bring laughter in her voice.  She has the best taste in friends. Actually... She appears to have the best taste in just about everything.

Thank you to my place of employment, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. Special thank you to my friends and colleagues for making the transition from soldier to civilian a little bit easier.

Thank you Magda.

Thank you Tracy B.  Thank you for being you.

Thank you Nancy S.  for being that take-life-by-the-balls, no BS, ass-kicking kind of woman that moves mountains with ease.  Note to reader:  Nancy is hell bent on putting together the end-all-be-all benefit for Willem and... Well... I have lost my train of thought. I am richer for knowing you Nancy S.  And that's richer in the best way possible: It ain't got nothin' to do with money.

Thank you to Meadow Brook Elementary for everything.  Thank you Meadow Brook teachers for the food and thank you for the coupon book.  Thank you Monica.

Thank you Ted Graves at Mid Michigan Car and Truck. Best mechanic in the world: Trustworthy and generous.

Thank you Samantha P. What an amazing friend I have found in you. Beautiful; smart; and loving. Thank you friend.

Thank you RJ Z.

Thank you Paul M.

**** More to come ****

Thank Yous Pending

Our family has had a proverbial deluge of donations, food drops, and... well... a lot.  I am amazed by the community that has risen up around us.  I have so many to thank and the list grows daily, exponentially, it almost seems.  I want to thank you all right now but I need to assemble the perfect words for the graciousness.... ...

Hand me the bowl please daddy -- I can feed myself.

Arrived to find Willem in his room with mommy and Em and Ba and mommy was feeding him cream of mushroom soup.  Surprised to hear that he liked it.  Erin left shortly after I arrived and I began to feed Willem.  Not too long into the feeding Willem asked for the bowl so he could feed himself.  It was a pleasant thing to see and hear.

I did not get to see much of Willem today because of some administrative things that had to be taken care of but the few precious minutes were delightful: Got some cheek lovin' and got to see him walk, unassisted, to the elevators to play on the 11th floor.

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Thank Yous

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There are many thank yous that must go out and I will post them in the next posting.  You all know who you are and you need to know that we are extremely grateful.

Out of PICU

Willem was moved back to his old room on the Hem/Onc floor last night.  he is doing and looking 100% better.

Still waiting for genetic tests results from Cincinnati and still in the appeals process (appeal 1) with TRICARE insurance regarding payment of Willem's pending BMT.

For those of you who have been asking what you can do to help:  If TRICARE denies the appeal, we may need your assistance in lobbying our insurance company -- or whatever else it takes. Become ready with ideas and await the battle cry.

Prozac by Proxy

I was speaking with Willem's psychiatrist this morning who recommended that he still be on suicide watch given he stated clearly that, while he is in pain, he feels like he wants to die.  He was also very clear that he didn't want to die at this moment in time.  FYI: His wanting to die is not necessarily a function of pain, however -- varying degrees of pain, combined with situational psychological trauma (in our last instance it was lack of being allowed to sleep) bring about his wanting to die.  Which makes sense to the psychiatrist and myself.  She did add, however, that when Willem was talking about  the movie Homeward Bound, and, puppies - and how he wants a puppy - he got weepy. Because of this, the psychiatrist wants to continue the suicide watch regimen and also up his Prozac dosage.

In an effort to argue against the necessity for a suicide watch regimen, and, in an attempt to defend Willem's mindset, I interjected that I thought perhaps Willem was genetically predisposed to being weepy during potentially sensitive situations (or conversations) and offered myself as an example:  I told her a story of when, while watching TV and, while clicking through channels, I landed on figure skating and while noting the beauty of the routine began to get weepy.  I don't know why -- I was in a perfectly equable mood -- but I just started crying.  To which she replied, "I have no doubt it's genetic... and I'm going to up his [Prozac] dosage."  Now wait a minute... That's not the point I was trying to make...  The psychiatrist just diagnosed me as needing Prozac by proxy.

Inclined Plane

Willem is putting together a lego car (Thank you Jessica and Curtis!) as mommy is handing him the pieces.  He will describe the piece he needs and mommy will hand it to him.  He just asked for "...a piece that looks like an inclined plane."  His request made me think metaphorically for a moment.

Okay...  Willem is still in PICU and is off the oxygen mask now and breathing room air.  His oxygen saturation is good.  BP still a little high and RR will get up into the 50s when laying on his back. Sitting up gives us a RR in the low 30s.  Which is good.  Staff will discuss now when he can go back to the 9th floor; i.e. out of PICU and back on track for BMT.

Willem was moved to a different room on the PICU (for no other reason than convenience for the medical staff) and now has a sick view of the helipad! Willem is in good spirits but still in some pain. He promised that if I let him rest a little bit he will give us an anniversary present of walking -- actual walking -- around the PICU.  I shall call it the "PICU Loop."

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THANK YOUs

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Thank you Chachulski family for the food!  It was so nice not having to cook given the day I had yesterday.  And momma Chachulski I do so love that apple thingy you make.  In fact, I love it too much.  No more of that y'hear?

Thank you friend for the phone call from Afghanistan!  My eyes got wet from hearing your voice and with the realization that I missed the call.  I was only feet away giving "cheek love (we rub cheeks)" to Willem and missed your call because my phone was on vibrate.  Thank you so much for thinking of us and calling.  I will listen to your voicemail over and over.

Thank you Jessica and Curtis.

Thank you Mrs. Melzter for your donation.  Thank you very much.

Thank you Jody for the hug.  Hugs are always appreciated and very therapeutic.