For all concerned, Charlie has done famously the last few days and has had an uber busy week. We’ve had some great visits, a bit of therapy and finished off the week with a trip back to Primary Children’s where Charlie was able to help out the folks from KSL with the annual Children’s Network Telethon. He’s a Superstar! The telethon experience could be a solo post however my motivation is lacking so perhaps another time. But needless to say it’s not a simple task to be on TV getting interviewed live while the little man sitting on your lap begins to move his bowels with reckless disregard for present company and concurrently producing rectal wind so plangent and pungent one would be hard pressed to find even the most veteran of sewer rats capable of suffering the barrage of faulty elimination and keep composure until the cameras turn off. Rough.
This coming week should be another busy one; on Tuesday Charlie heads back up to Primary’s for his first follow-up visit with the doc’s. He’ll see Dr. Terry, the rehab doc and Dr. Jackson the GI doc. Dr. Jackson has plans to convert Charlie’s G-tube into a button, or “Mickey button”, and then the current hassle of wrestling tube extensions will be alleviated. Also, my dear sweet and super hot wife is studying and reading all that there is about different kinds of therapy that Charlie desperately needs and will soon be formulating a strategy to help us help him the very most. Popular belief is that damaged brains show the greatest improvement in the first year post injury and Charlie is already at 4 months so if I know my wife, who is totally hot by the way, this house will be turned into a therapy boot camp before you know it.
Right now the day-to-day stuff for Charlie is getting more regular. He’s sleeping better at night and he gets uncooperative about the same time everyday. Charlie used to get Clonadine (Rx that calms him down really good) every four hours and now he gets it maybe once or twice a day. He also got quite a bit of Ativan while in the hospital to mellow his ill temperament and we’ve only had to administer it a handful of times since coming home. So there are some good things, some Charlie steps, and we’re hopeful they’ll continue. Thanks again to all of you for caring and praying for my little hero, all Angel and I ask is that you don’t stop.
21 comments:
I love the pictures! I hope my comments don't get annoying because you don't know me, but I just want you to know that I'm still cheering for all of you. And I love the pictures! "Lock up your daughters" is right! What a little heartbreaker! Someday we'll have to get our little babes together...my Kyleigh is 8 months now...we should definately hook 'em up sometime :) Keep up the good work guys! I'm rooting for you! :)
He is taking steps. Less meds is a huge step! We probably will never meet...but we will never stop caring. Keep it up!
We will never, EVER stop praying or caring for Charlie or his family!! No worries on that front! Keep up the good work, Char!
Yeah for the Christensen's! Miss you and love you guys!
Rox
Dear Rob, Thanks for the updates and pictures! Not sure if I can lose myself in them cause I won't get any work done. Gottta tell you guys I was at a political rally last wweek which I am normally very into cause I love it but I found myself called topray for Charlie about Midnight on 5/30-5-31. Hopefully all is Ok! Maybe it just was my bithday wish for super Coop! With love,shyla
Charlie is always in our prayers and never far from our thoughts. Your story is a daily reminder for me on how to live my life. Charlie is a little hero and we are all deeply hoping for his continued improvement - in whatever size steps - just Charlie steps. Please let your blog support group know how the therapy plan develops and if you ever need any extra resources to help implement the plan, please know there are many people out here ready to rally as best we can. Thanks for the updates....
Leane Vandeman and family in LA (Duzy's friend)
Can't wait to hear the therapy boot camp plan :-)! Did you get the book I sent in the mail? Again, anything we can do to be helpful---please let us know.
Kara
He is adorable! Thanks for the update! It was such good news to hear that Charlie only needs his Clonadine and Ativan sparingly now. That is a big Charlie step!
-NC friend
Dear Charlie,
I hope that you can see. I am saving up for your medicines in my "GIVE" envelope. My mom is going to mail it to you. I am doing my chores every day except Sundays to earn money.
Love,
Isaiah Menning, age 6
(In deliberating about what he wanted to give his money to, he was emphatic that it should go to pay for Charlie's medicine. When I showed him the picture of them all lined up, he wanted to write a message to Charlie on the blog and asked repeatedly if I was "changing any of his words" as I was typing as he dictated :-). Charlie has touched so many of us, including our kids!!---Kara M)
and now i cry again...kara that is wonderful and again, another example to those of us fortunate enough to read this blog and the comments...thanks for sharing!
Okay so I wrote a little novel about Roxanne on the next section. She Rocks!!!!
It is great to hear that Charlie is making little steps. I did get to see your wonderful family on t.v. and it brought tears to my eyes (ok, I really cried like a big baby).
Your family continues to amaze me and there is no doubt that Angle will get the therapy up and running soon.
I look forward to reading the updates of Charlie and your family.
Hugs,
Sallie
Prayers are still coming from Missouri. I love the pictures and the updates. I can't believe how much he is growing. He's looking like such a big boy and my goodness he looks so long. Keep up the good work.
keep up the good work charlie...you are a rockstar and we are so proud of you and all your small but significant steps.
I will NEVER forget to pray for your sweet Charlie! He is an angel to so many of us! thanks for keeping us up to date! I love logging in and seeing some new entries. I check every day for any news. I loved seeing you on TV. Your story is amazing and many should hear about it. I continue to admire your family and pray for all of you. I know Angel will find a way to provide the best therapy for Charlie. Many of us would be willing to help in any way. those pictures of Charlie are so adorable. What a handsome stud! My love goes out to all of you!
Is the KSL video on the web any where?
Hey, why didn't you let your public know that you would be on TV? I'm glad he is doing better and getting out and about. It sounds like he has a better social calendar than the rest of us. Rob, blaming your child for your own "bowel" issues is so not cool.
Hey! Its good to see pictures of Charlie.
I really want to meet this little boy who has stolen my heart.
We are actually going to be in Utah on June 22 and 23. (Livie has Dr appts and an MRI scheduled on the 23, it's a Mon.) We would love to see you guys before her appointments if that would work. (Maybe Sunday evenging?)
Let me know if that works, if not, it's totally fine. I know how busy life is!!
Hey, family! when Mar comes or even before or after....come on over anytime and swim... the pool is ready and waiting except today of course while it fills up another 3 inches from rain. Ali and Stace come occassionally and we would love to share it with all of you. I am STARTING my job as a permanent lifeguard... so COME ON DOWN... LOVE JILL
Also, it is great physical therapy for little Charlie
Hey again All: Thanks for Posting the pics!! They are really uplifting on Downer days when even I do not get what I want!! Still have to remmmber that mylife has purpose. Today is a real Bummer,but seeing Charlie is so special. Hope that you see Livvie Bug on Sunday!! She definitely is a cutie!! Shyla In MT
Having not read all of the posts about little Charlie, I have to leave a comment and just say that I admire you as his parents for all the long hard hours that you have stayed by his side. I was directed to a site to see the progress of a young girl in Orem that had a severe brain injury from an automobile accident, and since then have been "hooked" on reading of other peoples hardships, but fully in awe at all the response that is given to the parents. My prayers will be with Charlie as with everyone else that reads this, and hope that our Loving Father in Heaven will see that he is in good hands here on earth and allow his senses to return, and him become the bubbly little boy that he should be at this point in his life.
May God Bless you all as his family.
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