Thursday, October 1, 2009

Last year this day!

Last year this day Vignesh was two and a half months old. It was the day on which he had his open heart surgery. According to that hospital's policy just one person would be allowed to visit him everyday in the PICU. So, my husband and I usually took turns to visit him. Seeing him with all the tubes was so painful that I usually made my husband visit him and asked him for the update. But, once they started feeding him, I was allowed more often. Yet, getting back after feeding him was very painful.

The hospital kept patients for about a week after surgery. Even after a week, Vignesh was still in the PICU. That was when I shed my shyness and ran behind his cardiologist and surgeon asking (pestering) them to shift him back to the room. I was waiting to shower so much love on him that could make up for all the time that he was spending alone in the PICU. I just wanted to take him in my arms and say everything would be fine. So, after 13 days, his cardiologist and surgeon agreed to have him shifted. My husband had to fight with the hospital authorities to get a room allotted on the same day and by around 8.30 pm or so, we were back with him. It was a silent and emotional reunion for the three of us.


When he was about 15 days old



About a month after his surgery (He was beginning to gain weight)



On New Year day - About a month before Tracheostomy



At hospital after tracheostomy


Recent photo

Thank you, Dr. Bala and Dr. Ranjith! You and your team are making a difference to so many little hearts! We would always remain thankful to you.
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3 comments:

  1. LisaOctober 2, 2009 at 6:26 AM

    Gosh he is beautiful and his smile lights my world!
    Vignesh you are a true hero and champion, you also are blessed with a beautiful Mommy and Daddy who love you so very much.

    Hugs and all the love in the universe,
    Lisa

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  2. BethOctober 2, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    Oh boy! He was cute from the beginning!

    I am excited that you're doing the 31 for 21--I'll get a daily dose of Vignesh!

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  3. AnonymousOctober 11, 2009 at 4:19 AM

    Hi Sumithra!

    Vignesh is so beautiful!

    I wanted to answer your questions about fine motor exercises that you have...I am going to look in a book we bought ages ago that is directly written for children with Ds. But in the meantime, we, too, had non-direct goals for Gabriel but we did have exercise direction.

    At Vignesh's age, we were asked to introduce food and/or objects that would produce the pincer grasp. (thumb and forefinger) So, putting Cheerios on Gabe's high chair tray was one good way for him to use this particular grasp.

    Another exercise was using crayons. For us, this was more exasperating since everything went into Gabe's mouth. (It was this way for a long, long time...) But, nontheless, it was recommended so he could practice the palmer grasp.

    Also, puzzles were highly recommended (espcially the large wooden puzzles with the pegs to grasp onto) and stacking blocks.

    As Vignesh gains his strength, you could also string large wooden beads onto a shoelace, using hand over hand.

    These are a few things to do. Again, I will look in the book to see if there is a checklist of sorts. I am referring to the Fine Motor Skills for Children with Down Syndrome book by Maryanne Bruni.

    See: http://www.woodbinehouse.com/main.asp_Q_product_id_E_1-890627-67-4_A_.asp

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