Neal, Michelle, and McKenzie (our friends across the street) invited us over to watch the Super Bowl yesterday. McKenzie, who is now 3, is quite the little miracle baby herself...she was born at 26 weeks, weighing a mere 18 oz. Needless to say, she and Evan have had lots of medical equipment in common...including pulse oximeters, oxygen by nasal cannula held on by tender grips. McKenzie had an NG tube for several months after coming home, but never had to get a g-tube. All that medical equipment is a thing of the past for Miss McKenzie, so when she sees it with Evan it is new to her.
McKenzie is very interested in Evan's MIC-key button, and always wants to see what is going on when Evan eats. Michelle always explains, "He's eating, and his food goes right into is tummy." McKenzie wanted to know exactly what Evan was eating. Yesterday, it was a peach/banana fruit mixture with some Pediasure. Jeremy asked if she wanted to try some in a cup. McKenzie isn't really a fan of eating much these days, and shook her head no. She wanted Jeremy to try it for her. So he pretended to pour some into Evan's empty vent tube, and proceeded to "plug it in" to his stomach (somehow, Jeremy was able to wedge it in there so it stuck). "Mmmm, mmmm," he said. "Are you sure you don't want any?" She shook her head again, but when Jeremy was finished, McKenzie took Evan's vent tube over to her daddy to see if he wanted some also (he passed--too full from all the Super Bowl snacks!).
I wish that every kid could learn about g-tubes the way that McKenzie has. To her, it isn't gross or wierd...it's just a way to eat that's different from the way she does. She is naturally curious, and she gets factual answers to her questions.
We are also preparing for Evan's "graduation" from Birth-to-Three into the school system. He will be going to Head Start preschool. I wonder how his classmates are going to react to his eating (and venting) that will undoubtedly happen during class. I hope that they become just as accepting as McKenzie has...I can only wish for them to be as good of helpers!
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4 comments:
this story reminds me of Fleur Amélies 4year old sister, she doesnt bat an eyelid at any of the equipment, in fact if I dont get to the suction quick enough I find her trying to suction her!! how wonderful kids can be.
Evan will love school it has done lots for Amélie, theres huge progress since she started.
That is so sweet what a wonderful little girl. Its so great to have someone living so close that somewhat understands what you are going through.
Hugs,
Crystal and Eva
I will have to agree that McKenzie is quite special. She is a bundle of sweetness. Evan will enjoy being around others and learning so much from them. Children can be so very wonderful and understanding because I have a whole room full just waiting for the day that Evan will come to visit them. I share pictures and tell them about Evan. They color and draw pictures for him, but best of all was when Marisol told me one day that she had made a snow Evan and holds Evan in her heart. I almost cried as I gave her a hug. Naturally, she will be my next student of the month.
Love, Grandma Key
Its hard to believe Evan, Eva, Max, and Ben are all approaching 3! Time sure goes by fast :-)
Jenn
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