The Belt

We had a belt made for Cyler that would offer a little compression, a little protection, and a lot of confidence.  He has worn one every day since he began walking.  Originally, we used a product called walking wings---it was a belt that fit around the chest and had handles.   He used that while he learned to walk.

Once he was walking more we took off the handles and moved the belt down to cover his O....and he was off.   He outgrew that and we had to think of something so we took the belt to a seamstress and asked if she could make something based on that basic design.

Above is what we ended up with.  We had her make several of them.   Occasionally, people would ask what the belt was for.  I would usually tell them it was his super hero belt.  So, we decided to put a super hero patch on it!

When we got home from the hospital the other day Cyler asked for his belt.  We told him that he didn't need it anymore.  He insisted that he did because he is able to run with it on.  So... we put it on him as lightly as we could.  Within a few minutes he wanted it off.  He hasn't mentioned it since.

New Year New Belly!!

Cyler had is muscle closure surgery Dec 30th.   The surgeons were able to close completely without the use of mesh.  It did require that he be on the vent for one day after the surgery.  I almost lost it.   They made sure that I was absolutely aware that this was only so that his body could rest and not because he "needed' the vent. It was very hard to see but we did it and he rested very comfortably.  

They took him off the vent the following day and he did amazing.   He didn't like the fact that he still had the other tubes--NG, IV, etc.  But he understood, as much as a 5 year old can, that they would be coming out when it was time.  We ended up staying at All Children's Hospital for 5 days.

He got the nurses a little concerned when his heart rate would drop into the forties.  I used to panic too!   Cyler has had multiple Echos, EKGs, and Holter studies.  However, these nurses and doctor's were new to Cyler and how his body works (and he just had major surger).   They called in the cardiologist to check on Cyler.  I explained his history and that he had been followed by Dr. Riddle.   The cardiologist informed me that Dr. Riddle was in fact working at All Children's.  I was completely taken aback....OUR Dr. Riddle!!!   Cyler had to wear a Holter monitor overnight so that they could see his rhythm.

The next morning the cardiologist told us that it was sinus bradycardia and not to worry unless he has symptoms.  This confirmed Dr. Riddles findings but it's never a bad idea to check.   We got the information so that we can continue care under Dr. Riddle.

Overall our experience was amazing.  They took great care of my little man.  He took care of them too!   He discovered the call light while in there and that if he pushed it he would get "things".  He asked for chocolate milk, legos, and at 5am one morning he rang for pain meds.   He handled all of this better than I could have imagined.  I am so proud of my little super hero!!

Here is his belly at 7 months old:

Here is his belly about a year ago---and how it looked right before surgery minus the Mic-Key tube.

Here is his new belly (1 week post op)....I will post an updated pic in a new post once healed better.