Hope for Ryker: Feeding Tube Awareness Week

So, my amazingly talented sis in law took Ryker's 9 month pictures last week! I told her about Feeding Tube Awareness Week and she put these together. I love them! Thanks Emily!

As difficult as it was last August to come to terms with the fact that he needed a feeding tube, would have a literal hole in his belly, seeing him go through so much pain after the surgery, having stomach content leak out all over me unexpectedly, dressing changes twice a day, treating irritated and infected skin because of the tube, etc., etc, I'm SO grateful for his G-tube! It's helping him to grow strong and healthy into the boy I know he can and wants to be.

We had good news this week! With Ryker's big weight gain, (up to 15 pounds 9 ounces:)) the doctor said we can reduce the amount of nutrition we give him through his IV! The sooner we start to reduce the amount, the sooner we can get that line out! Woot Woot! FYI, when that day comes, I will hold a huge celebration! I know the IV (PICC line) is helping him but the longer you have a foreign object in your body, ESPECIALLY your vein, the greater the chance of infection. Plus, the ultimate goal is for him to gain weight on his own through his tummy like the good Lord intended. With the IV, his tummy doesn't do any work, his liver has to process it, and over time, it's very damaging to the liver. So much so, that after years some kids literally need liver transplants. But, I'm hoping in May Ryker will get his PICC line out and the celebration will follow...

He will probably have his G-tube for a few years and I'm okay with that. :)