We’re home again!

Carter's "Funny Face"



Bennett and Carter reunited

Carter was discharged around noon today, and we got home in time for Matt to run to school to pick up Bennett. The boys both wouldn’t nap, and spent the afternoon playing together and having fun. Carter ate a pb&j when we got home and some bites of pasta too. So, we think he will definitely do better eating at home this time around. We’ve been making the boys “milkshakes” with Pediasure before dinner, which they love. And it is a great dietary supplement for Carter…almost more important than anything else he’d eat, hence giving it before dinner.

Before Carter left the hospital, they looked at his rash test area on his back. There was a little bit of a rash, and it was under the adhesive remover spot. This is pretty abrasive on the skin, but has been necessary to use on Carter’s taped areas. We will just have to try and do without it and see if that is truly the cause of the rash.

Due to Carter’s sensitivity now towards removing tape (it was a nightmare taking off the test tapes on his back), he is a lot less patient when we are trying to do anything with him revolving around care. We gave him a bath tonight, and his chest got wet. We weren’t sure if it penetrated the Press ‘n Seal we put on his chest during his bath to protect the Broviac site, but we had to assume the worst and change the dressing. It was awful!!! Carter would not settle down. Usually, he’ll lay there with his hands over his head and I’ll sing beside him while Matt changes the dressing. Tonight, we had to pin him down while he was screaming and fighting us. We ALL wanted to cry. Bennett was sitting near him saying, “it’s okay Carter, there are no bad guys.” Such a sweetie. Well, now Carter is having a hard time going to sleep in his own bed. It went so smoothly the first time we came home from the hospital. Tonight, Matt and I are taking turns going into his room to settle him down. Why can’t any of this be easy?! You can’t make a 23 month-old with cancer cry himself to sleep. Luckily, we aren’t due to go back in for chemo and lab work until next Tuesday! Thank you Memorial Day! Seven days off, yippeeee!