Day 7: Turning Point

Many have prayed for a turning point...and today that turning point is here!  It may not have been the direct path we were hoping for...but all that matters is that Coop has arrived here now!  The PICU team has been phenomenal since we have been here; attentive, caring, knowledgeable, thoughtful.  This is definitely where Coop needed to heal.  God must have had a specific plan for Cooper's recovery...he obviously wanted Cooper surrounded by such special people.  And they knew he was coming!  Cooper's favorite neighborhood friend...Tricia...called ahead and prepared a place for him in each of their hearts!  And one certain individual has taken a special liking to our HeadStrong boy...and Coop has taken an even bigger liking to Chris!  Chris has been his nurse for 2-12 hour shifts now and after a few bruises and stains on his scrubs from a thrashing Coop during medicine time...Chris has labeled Cooper - "The Man."  He says he will always remember Cooper...as most of you already know that isn't too surprising since Coop is hard to forget!  He says that Coop has eaten more Popsicles than any other kid in the PICU...maybe ever, but we are trying to back away from the pure Popsicle diet.  There wasn't much food on the menu today, but milk made its way back into Cooper's life - and he's loving it. 

Cooper and Chris

Cooper refuses to brush his teeth or wear pants, and still has moments of "roid rage," but all are wonderful and welcome signs that our HeadStrong boy is coming back to us!  Dr. Mangano came to see Cooper today and is encouraged by the progress.  The steroid dose has been decreased and the plan is to slowly wean Cooper off the "sleepy meds," get him out of the PICU tomorrow morning and hopefully home for Thanksgiving day!  Coop keeps saying "we go to mine house, Mommy"...and hopefully in just a few short days - he can.  Can you imagine anything else to be more thankful for? 


Mommy and her sweet boy


We had a day of transitioning off I.V.s and to all oral meds, (YEAH!) and slowly weaning him off all of the sleepy meds.  The oral medications still take a bit of convincing, but it's getting easier and the "pukies" haven't made an appearance in more than 24 hours!  Despite many changes, it was calm (other than a few minutes of rage) but we are starting to see a pattern of when to expect it and prepare ourselves for it.  In between a few moments of rage, we have seen glimpses of our sweet Cooper-asking for his brothers and sister, proclaiming his love for Mommy and Daddy, allowing people to touch him and even opening his mouth to take the yucky medicine (sometimes).   

Dr. Mangano is definitely pleased with how things are going, but there is still the concern of recuperating too quickly and making a trip back to the PICU.  He was very clear in his instructions that Coop lay extremely low for the next 2 weeks, reduce risk for infection (sorry...meaning limiting visitors).  The idea of not physically hugging each and every one of you for 2 more weeks makes the Miranda's sad, but healing will come and the kids are planning the biggest party you have ever seen once Cooper has regained all his strength.  Get your party snacks ready...the countdown is on!

"Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living.  Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous.  Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14