Peter is still doing remarkably well, although it’s not an easy time for him. He’s been battling some headaches, he’s had some high spikes in blood pressure, and he’s had a fever each of the past two nights. None of these symptoms have anyone on high alert. I suppose they are just signs that he’s early in his recovery.
He’s been walking some on his own and getting physical therapy, as well. This includes more walking, punching, kicking, squatting, etc. It’s a good thing and necessary, but it’s taking a toll on him. He’s become abnormally reclusive with the staff, seemingly because of the difficulty of therapy. I personally didn’t like being pushed beyond my comfort zone by coaches in high school, but I understood the purpose. Maybe it’s tough to grasp the reasoning at five years old.
Another challenge is eating enough food. He started eating over the weekend and ate pretty well, but it’s been slow going since. His stomach hasn’t been getting much use the past three weeks and eating just isn’t appealing. When I spoke with Erika today, she was headed out for some Chicken McNuggets for him. Maybe those will work. He’s still getting liquid nutrients, but needs to transition to real food.
Despite the challenges, Peter may be released from the hospital in the coming days. And maybe he’ll be on a flight back to his own house before long, where he’ll see his sisters, his dog, his cat, and his own bedroom. Erika asked the doctor today if there was any chance that Peter would be able to attend kindergarten this year; He’s been very excited for his first year of school, but they’ve stopped talking about it with all the uncertainty. The doctor said that he should most definitely attend when possible and the normalcy would be a great thing. So they told Peter that school is coming up and that helped his spirits.
Dear Eigners,
News sounds wonderful. And maybe school soon!
You know almost any accommodations can be made. Partial days, one hour a week, whatever will help Pete heal. When you’re ready be sure to get the school nurse in the loop to make plans to carefully integrate Pete without endangering his health.
We continue our prayers for the miracle boy!
Mike and Peg
We are always excited to see what progress you have made, Peter, and you never cease to amaze us! Keep up the great work and you’ll be in school before you know it!
All our best-
Shannon and Eli Wilson
Dear Eigners,
We are so glad Peter is moving forward little steps get him closer to being able to come home and be in his own room and with his sisters again how exciting this will be for him . Peter is a strong guy and shows us signs of this every day . We are so happy that school may be in the near future how fun it will be for him sitting like a big boy in his class room we can picture it already . We will continue our prayers for a quick recovery and a flight home soon.
Hugs,
The Smiths
Wow! We are so happy that you are healing and will be able to come home in the near future. What fun it will be to go to Kindergarten this fall! Noah is very excited to go to Kindergarten too!
You have come such a long way! Take it day by day and each one is bound to be better than the last. Your Guardian Angel is certainly watching over you and will lead you along the path to complete healing.
The Scherpings
Nothing quite like kindergarten…go Pete go…You can do it! Eat lots…drink lots…listen to your pretty nurses…jump, walk, punch and kick! Get those muscles back in working order and you will be home picking on your sisters before you know it. We are all cheering you on….can you hear us? Keep fighting Pete!
The “teacher” in me is jumping for joy! AMAZING!! Starting kindergarten?? And, just think – 3 weeks ago, you were so very sick!! And now – you could possibly be a BIG KINDERGARTNER sometime soon??? Simply amazing…..
I am more than willing to help out with anything neccessary that may help Peter in his transistion to school…. this might be the perfect opportunity for me to put my 4 years of college to work the way it was intended to be!! The “teacher” in me is more than willing to lend a helping hand if there is anything I can do to aid in Peter’s school success this year. Don’t be afraid to ask, Erika!! Seriously….
I agree with your Uncle Matt – nobody likes to be pushed beyond their comfort zone…. your feelings of reclusiveness towards the staff are natural, I suppose. You have been through alot in the last month, and I can only imagine the exhaustion and frustration that comes with all the PT pushed upon you. It’s ok, Peter. Things will get better….
I am so proud of you… so very, very proud of you! I serioulsy can not wait to see you again…. and I want another hug from you!! (Only this time, don’t be so stingey with it!!) Keep doing all those important things like eating and walking and squatting and punching and kicking! This will probably be one of the few times in your childhood where someone will actually tell you that it’s ‘ok’ to punch and kick… so, use all your might and show ’em what you’re made of!! 🙂
I love you, Peter! We all miss you so much and will be eagerly waiting to see again! Take good care of yourself…. and give your mom & dad a hug from all of us!
With smiles in our hearts~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily & Parker
I hope the Chicken Nuggets did the trick…they sure comfort me on occasion! What a fighter you are, Peter. You cease to amaze me (and everyone else as well). Keep up the good fight, and before you know it you will be in school.
Stacy Cummings
our prayers are definitely being answered Peter, and we will continue to pray for you and your family. All of the steps and hard work you are doing will soon lead to a great big step right out the door of that hospital and back home!!! Keep working hard Peter,and dont forget to Eat and drink lots . In Gods Love, Bob,Kim,Sophie and Griffin
What an unbelievable comeback, Peter! And what great news that Peter may soon be able to go home. Won’t it be great to get back to your own bed, your sisters, and everyone who loves and supports you! I know it’s hard to eat, Peter…nothing tastes good after all you’ve been through. Try to eat a few bites though…that will make you so much stronger. So happy to hear you will be going to kindergarten…you’ll have lots of show and tell stories!!
All the best….
Wade’s
Get those bowels moving and that tummy will feel better. Hop on the next plane out and you can still make it for Fair food. Good luck Peter–I know Mary is very excited to be going to college–She will be a freshman–kind of like an older kindergartener! You two are still pretty much in lock step–still praying for nothing but blue skies for the two of you. Take care all
Pete, keep it up. You are inspirational and a teacher at the age of 5.
The Jorgenson Family
Hi Peter –
We are glad to hear you are starting to feel better and we hope the Chicken McNuggets taste good. Kindergarden will be so much fun and what a great thing to look forward to. Keep up the good work with your therapy and you’ll be home before you know it!
The Connakers
Thanks, Matt, for keeping us updated. I’m glad you have your Mom and Dad, your family to hug you Peter. Some days you might need more hugs than on other days.
Pete-man,
Stay strong buddy and keep up the great progress. We can’t wait to see you back at home.
Love,
Uncle Roy
Three big cheers for you Peter!!!!!!
What an awesome dude you are. Keep up the good work. Try to
eat and get strong for school. You’ll need to be strong to keep all those
cute little girls from “bugging” you. Henrik is excited about starting
school soon too. Hope you get to go home soon. I’m sure you miss
your sisters and all your family and friends.
Jan
Good Job Peter, you keep up the good work, I know it is probably hard and you dont feel like some days, but you just give it all you got and soon you will be on your way home and going to school too. WOW !!!
Say hi to Mom and Dad and give them a big hug too, they are a really special mom and dad and you are so lucky to have them.
Hope to hear more good news in the coming days.
Hugs and Love,
Uncle Chuck and Aunt Rose
Hi Peter!
Glad to hear you are moving around and eating. Look Out Kindergarten!!
Keep up the great healing!!
Love,
The Hollway\’s
Mary, Bill, Billy, Mike and Molly
Peter–
We are so proud of you!! What wonderful news going into the long weekend that you will soon be home.
How fun that you get to start school! Jesse has two more years before he starts but he talks about riding the school bus with his Spider-man backpack. He’ll be turning 4 on October 8th so hopefully you can make his birthday party!
Look forward to hearing more great news each day!
Love,
Dave, Andi, Jesse and Bailey
Keep it Going Buddy
Pretty Soon you will be Home..
I am so very Proud of You- !!!!!
Love
The Cohen Family
Peter, we’re so glad to hear you might be coming home soon – we’ll keep our fingers crossed! There are so many people here that miss you and want to see your smiling face.
Try to eat good, as your body needs that food…as well as the exercise! You are in our prayers daily,
The Swansons
Lori, Cary, Luke, Brooke and Erica
Peter – you are made of something VERY special; you have made such miraculous strides throughout this unplanned journey of yours. Sometimes we just shake our heads with postings like this one from Uncle Matt! You have a good life in you future!!!
Ty and Erika – think of you so often! We pray for you all to be able to come home soon – to some normalcy! Wherever you are, hope the Labor Day long weekend is a good one for you all!
Love and prayers – Peg and Ron
Peter,
What wonderful news!! We are so happy to hear that you are making great strides in getting better!!! You continue to amaze me, eating better, getting stronger, moving out of the hospital soon, kindegarten…………..WOW, how exciting!!
We wish you the best in your recovery and can’t wait to see that smile back in Brainerd where it belongs!!!!!!
Take care, our prayers continue!
Love from the Olson’s,
Lisa Ty Paige Drew Hallsey
Peter, Ty and Erika,
I was out for a week for a little vacation with my 4 and 5 year old grand boys ASA and ZACH. Was glad to return and see your picture in an update!! GREAT TO SEE THOSE THUMBS UP SIGNS AND YOUR BRIGHT EYES SHINING. Keep eating to get strong no matter how hard it is and taking those little walks down the hall. Maybe they’ll let you out for a little field trip soon. Fresh air does wonders for a person and the blue sky makes you feel like flying.
Keeping the faith in Pequot Lakes. Thumbs up back at you my little friend.