Before his discharge, the caseworker assigned to Kyle gave me some information about the PPEC (Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care) medical daycare program in Clearwater. Previous caseworkers have mentioned the program to us before but I looked into it a little more this time.
PPEC is a division of Pediatric Health Choice (the medical equipment provider that provides Kyle's feeding pump and equipment). It is a daycare center for children requiring special medical attention preventing them from attending a normal daycare. Kyle qualifies because of his developmental delays and reliance on the feeding tube.
PPEC is 100% covered by medicaid and many other insurances. There is no cost to the family. I was especially surprised at this considering that they are able to accomodate even newborns.
They provide care Monday-Saturday up to 12 hours a day. There is no minimum number of hours. Kyle could attend a week full-time and then the next week not attend at all. He could arrive at 6:30 AM one day and 4:00 PM the next. The schedule is as flexible as we need it to be. The school schedule is very structured, though. They have scheduled nap, lunch, outdoor play and snack times just like a regular daycare.
Their staff consists of all medical professionals. The teachers are all CNAs, LPNs, RNs, etc. They are staffed with therapists for occupational, speech, physical and feeding therapies. Which means that Kyle would be able to get therapy every day without leaving the daycare. They have cribs or toddler beds for each child where normal daycares only have cots. They have the special equipment needed as well - feeding pumps, IV pumps, nebulizers, etc.
Their staff is free from infection and do not come in if they have any signs of illness. If a child has a fever, they are not turned away. They are given medications as needed and isolated from the other children. They even have a special isolation room for highly contagious diseases such as pink eye or chickenpox with a specialized ventillation system and a separate bathroom.
They also can provide transportation to and from school for families without transportation of their own or when there are scheduling conflicts affecting transportation (i.e., the parent works past closing time and the child needs to be transported to a family member's house).
The center is located just west of US19N on Drew Street, so Chris actually passes the center every day on his way to and from work so it works out perfectly. We've discussed starting Kyle at PPEC starting the first Monday in January (1/5/09).
Thursday, December 18, 2008
All Better
Kyle came home Saturday afternoon after a week in the hospital. In addition to the pneumonia, they discovered that he had RSV again, which is probably what caused the pneumonia. They treated him with steroids, antibiotics, IV fluids and breathing treatments. They would have discharged him earlier except that his O2 sats (blood oxygen saturation levels) kept dropping below 90% while he was sleeping unless he was on oxygen. O2 sat levels should normally be as close to 100% as possible but at least over 92%.
During his stay, Kyle got visits from some of his favorite NICU nurses and respiratory therapists and made friends with a couple of new nurses. He had Scott and Melissa as nurses for most of the week. He had three roomates come and go while he was there, too. One of them was a little baby boy and Kyle had fun talking across the room to him. When the baby was replaced with a 16 year old boy, Kyle kept asking where the baby went.
I was able to share some of my knowledge from being an All Children's veteran with the other parents. Little tricks like where the silence buttons are on each monitor and pump (making sure they knew to inform the nurse whenever the alarms go off, though), or which channel is the All Children's movie channel (44), or where to park, or how to avoid parking fees in the Bayfront garage (leave after 9pm - no charge), etc.
But Kyle's home now and has been almost a week. He's feeling much better and back to his old self. He's a little more talkative and independent.
During his stay, Kyle got visits from some of his favorite NICU nurses and respiratory therapists and made friends with a couple of new nurses. He had Scott and Melissa as nurses for most of the week. He had three roomates come and go while he was there, too. One of them was a little baby boy and Kyle had fun talking across the room to him. When the baby was replaced with a 16 year old boy, Kyle kept asking where the baby went.
I was able to share some of my knowledge from being an All Children's veteran with the other parents. Little tricks like where the silence buttons are on each monitor and pump (making sure they knew to inform the nurse whenever the alarms go off, though), or which channel is the All Children's movie channel (44), or where to park, or how to avoid parking fees in the Bayfront garage (leave after 9pm - no charge), etc.
But Kyle's home now and has been almost a week. He's feeling much better and back to his old self. He's a little more talkative and independent.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Kyle at All Children's Hospital again
Kyle was admitted Friday night with pneumonia. He's still in the hospital. I will try to find time to update more.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Carnival!
I took Hannah to her first carnival last night. There was a little carnival at Countryside Mall and Hannah had commented on the ferris wheel. We went on the ferris wheel, the carousel and the bumper cars and she went on the kiddie rollercoaster, the motorcycle merry-go-round and the airplane merry-go-round. I forgot the camera at home so I had to use my phone for a camera but I couldn't miss the photo opportunity.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Blankie from Great-Grammys
Audrey received a blanket hand-made by her 91-year-old Great-Grammy Cain.
Part-Time Job
Mid-October, I decided to apply for a part-time job nights and weekends. I figured Countryside Mall would be the best place to look since it's so close to home and I could look at several jobs in one location. I was determined not to leave until I had filled out at least five applications but on my second application (at Victoria's Secret) I got an offer for an interview the next day, so I figured I could call it quits.
I honestly didn't think I'd get the job because I have no retail experience whatsoever but I did. I think it's working out pretty well.
I went to a mandatory meeting just two days after my initial training and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was going home with two of the bras that were in focus for the month, a pair of panties and a bottle of the newest fragrance - all for free! One of the bras has already become my absolute favorite! I can see why they give the associates a free one. It makes it easy to sell when we experience it personally. I was really surprised at how much I like the perfume, too. Normally, I don't wear perfume because I don't like strong scents but it's a light fragrance and I love it!
The job does require a lot of standing for long periods of time and it's taking some getting used to. My back is not used to so much demand.
I honestly didn't think I'd get the job because I have no retail experience whatsoever but I did. I think it's working out pretty well.
I went to a mandatory meeting just two days after my initial training and was pleasantly surprised to find out that I was going home with two of the bras that were in focus for the month, a pair of panties and a bottle of the newest fragrance - all for free! One of the bras has already become my absolute favorite! I can see why they give the associates a free one. It makes it easy to sell when we experience it personally. I was really surprised at how much I like the perfume, too. Normally, I don't wear perfume because I don't like strong scents but it's a light fragrance and I love it!
The job does require a lot of standing for long periods of time and it's taking some getting used to. My back is not used to so much demand.
Family Visiting
Chris' older sister Amy came down to Florida with her kids for a visit. Her oldest, Ryann, was our flower girl seven and a half years ago. Now she's a teenager. Sophie, RJ and Sidney came later. Sidney's actually just a little younger than Audrey.
Hannah and Sophie hit it off right away and love each other. Sidney and Audrey are sure to be good friends when they grow up too. They look like they could be sisters instead of cousins.
Hannah and Sophie hit it off right away and love each other. Sidney and Audrey are sure to be good friends when they grow up too. They look like they could be sisters instead of cousins.
Baby Shower & Diaper Cake
Our friend Raneasha is expecting a little girl in November and I was glad to be able to attend her baby shower to help her celebrate the upcoming arrival. Mommy-to-be is healthy and happy. 
I made a "Diaper Cake" for the occasion. For those who have never heard of one, a diaper cake is a decorative gift made up of diapers to look like a tiered cake and then decorated with baby care items.
For those who have heard of one and want to know how to make one...
Two round, cylinder-shaped items need to be used as the center. These could be a bottle, baby powder, formula, or any number of things. I have in the past used bottles, a Johnson & Johnson bath gift set that happened to be cylindrical in shape and rolled up receiving blankets.
Once you have the center of the bottom tier, place diapers overlapping in a circle around the object creating one layer. I've found that a large rubber band helps to hold them in place and then you can tie curling ribbon around to secure them in place. Then repeat to create the second layer, tie curling ribbon to secure in place and keep repeating for 4-10 layers, depending on the size you desire. You may use burp clothes or receiving blankets as a layer. On the last layer, leave extra ribbon for curling.
Place the second round, cylinder-shaped object on top of the bottom center object. Repeat the layering around the top object for 2-6 layers.
Then place the baby care items (accented with more curling ribbon) around the cake - in between diaper layers, wedged in under ribbon, or tied onto the ribbon. I like to use a rubber duckie for the center top but you can put a bow or toy on the top. It's a good idea to wrap the final product in either celephane wrap, lace or tulle material tied with a bow at the top in case any items fall off the cake.
Graduation
In September, I went to the graduation that would have been mine. My maternity leave with Audrey delayed my internship, which delayed my graduation so my classmates all graduated September 27th but I won't graduate until around next February. But I went to show support for my classmates and their hard work to get to that diploma. Scott Evans was the class valedictorian.
Externship
In September, I started a new externship site. I finally have a full time site Monday-Thursday every week. I'm placed at Community Hospital of New Port Richey, which is only 30 minutes north of where we live. I'm getting lots of experience and finally making progress toward graduation.
48 Hours at All Children's
One day late August, Kyle was acting really lethargic and kept just falling down and falling asleep where he fell. He didn't really have a fever but I was worried so I brought him to All Children's just to be sure he was okay.
My brother Caleb came to be with me to help out. My mom took Hannah to my grandmother's new apartment to hang out for the evening.
They did all the usual tests - chest x-ray, echocardiogram, blood cultures, etc. and found that his white blood cell count was high (which means he was fighting some kind of infection) and he was dehydrated.
They started him on general antibiotics (since they didn't know what kind of infection he was fighting) and IV fluids and kept him 48 hours to be sure he was okay before discharging him.
Caleb stayed with him part of the time, and Chris and I spent part of the time with him. By the time he was discharged he was his usually bubbly self and it seemed like he had bonded with his Uncle Caleb. When Caleb started to leave our place, Kyle tried to follow him.
My brother Caleb came to be with me to help out. My mom took Hannah to my grandmother's new apartment to hang out for the evening.
They did all the usual tests - chest x-ray, echocardiogram, blood cultures, etc. and found that his white blood cell count was high (which means he was fighting some kind of infection) and he was dehydrated.
They started him on general antibiotics (since they didn't know what kind of infection he was fighting) and IV fluids and kept him 48 hours to be sure he was okay before discharging him.
Caleb stayed with him part of the time, and Chris and I spent part of the time with him. By the time he was discharged he was his usually bubbly self and it seemed like he had bonded with his Uncle Caleb. When Caleb started to leave our place, Kyle tried to follow him.
The Big Three-Oh
August 20th was Chris' 30th birthday. One of his high school friends, Debra Macking, was also born August 20th, also at Bayfront Hospital, only about 30 minutes later than him.
Debra contacted us to see if we'd like to do a joint 30th birthday party and try to get all their old high school friends to come as well as new friends. It was going to be at Fort Desoto but rain threatened and so we moved it to Debra's house.
Friends that Chris hadn't seen since high school arrived and talked of the "old days". Almost everyone had a funny story to share and a fun time was had by all. I especially liked searching through the photo albums and middle school yearbooks for pictures of Chris before I met him.
Debra contacted us to see if we'd like to do a joint 30th birthday party and try to get all their old high school friends to come as well as new friends. It was going to be at Fort Desoto but rain threatened and so we moved it to Debra's house.
Friends that Chris hadn't seen since high school arrived and talked of the "old days". Almost everyone had a funny story to share and a fun time was had by all. I especially liked searching through the photo albums and middle school yearbooks for pictures of Chris before I met him.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
VPK
Hannah started Pre-K at Educare of Palm Harbor on August 15th and couldn't have been more proud of herself.
As ridiculous as it might sound coming from a girl who was homeschooled from kindergarten thru high school graduation, I'm pretty much just sending her to Pre-K for the social aspect. She's been learning her basics for education already at home with my mom. She already knows her alphabet, can recognize and write her letters and identify their sounds. She can also write her own name and family member names and more. But I felt that she needed to be able to get out of the house and spend time with other children her age. Especially since so much revolves around Kyle - his therapies and doctor's appointments, etc. - I wanted her to have something of her own.
Our condo complex is not very child-friendly. No playing with balls on premesis, no bikes on premesis, no chalk marks on the precious property grounds, etc., so Hannah ends up couped up in the house almost constantly. Now that she's in Pre-K, she gets to play with other kids her age and have friends and run around on a playground and learn some Spanish and sign language in addition to basics of education.
I do think that the governmental leaders did not think this thing through thoroughly (shocked!) because the voluntary Pre-K program, funded by the government only covers 3 hours a day and does not include classroom supply fees or registration fees. It almost seems to be a conspiracy to get kids who would normally stay home until kindergarten into a daycare. The majority of parents who sign up for the VPK (Voluntary Pre-K) program end up enrolling them for "wrap-around" care at an additional fee. I don't blame them. I would too if I could afford it. It's a pain in the neck to pack her up, bring her to school, and drop her off just to do the same thing in reverse three hours later - especially when it means packing up Kyle and Audrey too.
As ridiculous as it might sound coming from a girl who was homeschooled from kindergarten thru high school graduation, I'm pretty much just sending her to Pre-K for the social aspect. She's been learning her basics for education already at home with my mom. She already knows her alphabet, can recognize and write her letters and identify their sounds. She can also write her own name and family member names and more. But I felt that she needed to be able to get out of the house and spend time with other children her age. Especially since so much revolves around Kyle - his therapies and doctor's appointments, etc. - I wanted her to have something of her own.
Our condo complex is not very child-friendly. No playing with balls on premesis, no bikes on premesis, no chalk marks on the precious property grounds, etc., so Hannah ends up couped up in the house almost constantly. Now that she's in Pre-K, she gets to play with other kids her age and have friends and run around on a playground and learn some Spanish and sign language in addition to basics of education.
I do think that the governmental leaders did not think this thing through thoroughly (shocked!) because the voluntary Pre-K program, funded by the government only covers 3 hours a day and does not include classroom supply fees or registration fees. It almost seems to be a conspiracy to get kids who would normally stay home until kindergarten into a daycare. The majority of parents who sign up for the VPK (Voluntary Pre-K) program end up enrolling them for "wrap-around" care at an additional fee. I don't blame them. I would too if I could afford it. It's a pain in the neck to pack her up, bring her to school, and drop her off just to do the same thing in reverse three hours later - especially when it means packing up Kyle and Audrey too.
Health Fair
Before Hannah could start Pre-K, she needed to have a school physical but she's not currently on insurance. I called the pediatrician's office to find out how much a simple school physical would cost without insurance and found out that it would be $100! I figured that the Health Department might have a cheaper way so I called them just in time to find out about the School Health Fair.
Not only was the Health Fair free, but it was on a Saturday afternoon and included fun activities for the kids and free haircuts! Hannah passed her school physical but they said she may need eye glasses. Hannah won a bike helmet in a raffle and got her face painted, and Hannah and Kyle both had haircuts and got to go on a real fire truck!
Visiting Family
We spent the weekend after the visit with Great-Grammy Cain in Winter Haven with my Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Frank and cousins. Audrey got in the pool for the first time and loved it! She also had some bonding time with her second cousin (my cousin's daughter), Kayleigh. Hannah, as usual, had a blast with her foster second cousins and swam like a fish and Kyle had a blast with everyone - especially "Pretty Desi". (That's what he calls Destiny every single time.)
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