Last week Wednesday we got the most exciting news that he ate some banana AND 3 spoons of yoghurt. The banana was cut up for the kiddies and he merrily ate with the other kids, put his own banana in his mouth and SWALLOWED and also put 3 spoons of yoghurt himself and SWALLOWED. I guess it's a case of monkey see, monkey do where he watches the other little kids and he realises ok this is what I must do too. Gosh unbelievably exciting news for us and the teachers. One of the teachers was in tears watching him, she couldn't believe it and was SO excited. He has also had some chips and 2 min noodles are still an interest. It is just so wonderful to hear and see. I have put a picture up of him eating a fling at school.
We are also getting busy, busy, busy with therapy. Last week Friday we had our first occupational therapy meeting with the therapists. Jason took straight away to his new therapist Ashley and they played while I went through the long list of issues and medical problems. In OT they will be working with his sensory issues which all work hand in hand with eating. Things like hot and cold, falling and hurting himself, being aware of his surroundings and feelings. They will also work with his balance because he tends to walk on tippy toes and is a little clumsy when he runs. Yesterday he had his first OT all on his own with Ashley and they "played" so nicely for half an hour while mom was able to dash out for half an hour and do my own thing. Gosh I went veggie shopping, blinked my eyes and it was time to get back already. Jason had fun with Ashley and when it was time to say goodbye he was waving goodbye to me. Not wanting to leave. Great sign and great start to OT.
On Thursday we have our first speech therapy meeting which I am looking forward to. So the ball is rolling with therapy and the help that we need. This is the first time in 3 and a half years that we have been able to start therapy and work with Jason. The past he has always been too sick and in hospital to start anything. Well we did have a few occupational therapy and speech therapy sessions but nothing that we could do weekly and keep up with it being too sick. Even in Austria he had daily therapy but with him having bronchitis he wasn't able to show us what he is made of.
Tomorrow is Polygam (blood plasma) time. We will be in hospital for the day. The Polygam takes about 8 hours via iv drip but we are getting use to it and boy oh boy is the polygam helping. Jason hasn't been so sick as often as he use to. He was sick almost every 2nd day. February was the first month that I actually worked a full month!! Great feeling!! And also Jason is finally able to settle at school where he has his little friends and loves school so much. His top favourites are water play, painting and puzzles!
My main concern with Jason at the moment is his weight. He just isn't gaining weight. He has had terrible runny poos which obviously don't help but he is looking so skinny. I have increased his night milk via the pump so we are able to fit in another 100mls of milk during the night and hopefully that will help. I was hoping that I could increase the day volume to 120mls 3 hourly but he can't go over 100mls without gagging. We just have to go at Jason's pace. It is difficult because if Jason had more weight we would be able to decrease his tube feeds to make him hungry enough to eat but at the moment just putting on some weight is a priority.
BUT baby steps, things will happen in Jason time and goodness look how well he has done in the last two weeks!! We are EXTREMELY proud of our little man.