Casey's 2nd Year:
The winter of '97-'98 was a pretty good one. I had
great days and some not
so great days. I sweated a lot (because it's hard for me to breathe) and had a hard
time with my BMs sometimes.
On Valentine's Day of '98 I went to the hospital. It wasn't an emergency,
but I could not stay happy because I was having a hard time with my breathing again.
The doctors switched my "bed" settings again to help me. Whew!
On lucky St.Patrick's Day, I had a Nissen Fundilplication operation. The doctors
thought maybe I was refluxing and that was causing a lot of my discomfort and sweating.
The operation somehow makes it so I can't spit up anymore. I was on a respirator
while they did the operation, but right afterwards they put me in my bed, on a
special cycle, so I was able to come off the respirator and breathe on my own!
On Easter I dressed up in a yellow outfit that had a bunny on it. It had a play
carrot with it that I could hold in my hand and play with.
In May, I went to the hospital to try a new breathing machine called Bipap.
Lots of kids with SMA use it to help them breathe. It took me a while to get
used to it. It has a mask that goes over my nose, which felt funny at first. Then I
got used to it and loved it!
Over the summer I did pretty well. I had lots of friends and family come
visit. Dad bought me an air conditioner for my room.
We adopted a new member to our family in July. Actually, she adopted us.
A skinny, orange stray cat found our home and thought it was a pretty nice place to live.
We named her Sister. She and Kismet adapted to each other pretty well. I
am amused by their antics!
In the fall I did great, too. (Bipap sure was a blessing).
Halloween was great fun. I dressed up like Tigger.
One of my nurses made me an Indian costume to wear for Thanksgiving.
I also had my face painted to look like an Indian.
After Thanksgiving, my mom started decorating the house for Christmas.
It was very exciting around here! I loved the tree, music and decorations
of Christmas!
On New Year's Eve, my parents and my nurse let me stay up until Midnight.
They all came into my room and turned the radio up, the lights off, and put my
lantern on. They kept saying, "Happy New Year!" They let me taste some
gingerale.
On January 12, 1999, I had my original g-tube replaced. I got to ride in the
ambulance (not as an emergency, but as a way to transport me with all my equipment)
to the hospital where my doctor pulled out my old one and put in
the new one. It hurt for a few seconds, but that was it. Nurse Elizabeth and
Nurse Julie were there, and of course, Mom and Dad.
I had my 2nd birthday on January 23, 1999. Mom and Dad are
very proud of me!
NEW!
Please take a moment to sign our Guestbook!
