Ummm ...

I can not think of a clever title, or any title for that matter. I can not even think of what to write in any manner that would be interesting to read. There are many asking for updates and curious about how Malachi is doing, so I'll just ramble for a moment or so.

Malachi is still home. Convincing him to eat was quite a trick and took some doing, but we managed. For about 2 weeks now he has been guzzling his whole bottle without stopping, choking, gagging, burping, or just plain flipping out; for the most part that is, we still have our moments, but they are the exception now and not the rule. It still takes up to two hours to get all of his burps out and that is a challenge, but I am getting better at recognizing when he's done and can be put down. He needs at least 3 irrigations a day and sometimes it's as much as every 4 hours round the clock until he's comfortable and not throwing up everything. His episodes are spacing out and I am getting much better at recognizing when to increase irrigations to avoid it.

We have been back to the hospital once for a near hospitalization. After a short stay Dr. Aiken sent us home with these words, "If it were any other parents I'd admit him for a few days, maybe a week, but I know you'll do what he needs so take him home and I'll call in a day or two." He calls regularly to see how Malachi is doing. We have been back for several appointments/procedures, some under anesthesia and some not.

The poor little guy ended up with cradle cap so bad you couldn't see his 'cap' and it spread to his face, with swelling and bleeding. Two little spots of excema on his elbow quickly turned into entire body excema. His skin was so bad it looked liked lizard skin with cracks and bleeding - little lizard man we called him. He gets lathered up twice a day with two different steroids, one mixed with Cetaphil lotion and one straight up. He can only use Cetaphil cleanser and lotion and can only be bathed every 4 days. He doesn't like it at all, but it works like a charm and his skin is soft and juicy again.

Lastly, HA! that's hilarious. There's so much more it's not even funny. But hey, you don't have all day, and quite frankly nor do I. I have already forfeited lunch and some time outside with my four most amazing wonderful children while their precious little brother is napping, in order to type this. I figured I owed it to you all and just couldn't ignore all the requests for updates any longer. So anyway, lastly ...

Malachi will be having another endorectal pull-through operation, this time with an open incision. He will be hospitalized for at least 1 week but it all depends on recovery. Malachi is far outside the range of worst case scenario. He has created a new category in the Hirschsprung's Disease world. Because of Sam's inspection schedule and closing on our new home at the end of this month, we don't have a firm date yet, but will in the next day or so. It will mean a whole lot of things which I will get around to explaining sometime, maybe.

I miss writing, dearly. I hope when there is again time in my life to write that all the things that are constantly rolling around in my head will still be there and just pour out onto the page like a most refreshing ice cold lemonade on a hot summer day. How relieved that pitcher must feel to share it's contents. Someday, I hope.

This will be the place to check for information and updates. You are always welcome to call or e-mail. I answer the phone and check e-mail when I can which is far less than before and never with any regularity, but I do my best.