What a Difference a Year Makes

At this exact time last year we had just made a visit to the emergency room with Brady due to the dreaded RSV. The second time we had made a trip to the ER in his life for RSV and his third trip (at the time) to the hospital. Brady was 18, almost 19 pounds.  He had a hard time still with swallowing properly.  And was getting sick.  A lot.  He was negative off the growth charts and he had us all so worried.  He had just been tested for cystic fibrosis, had a scope in his upper gi done and had more blood taken than I care to recount.  It was this time last year that I made the decision to leave my job, although it would take me a little over another month to actually be out the door and at home with my boys. 
The last two years have been quite a journey.  So much incredible happiness that this little guy brings into our lives and yet so much worry.  And while I am not stupid enough to make a proclamation again on here that I will stop worrying, of course as a mom, that will never cease, I am feeling extremely joyful today.  I definitely know we are not out of cold/flu/rsv season yet, and I am a little scared to say it out loud, but this is the first time in three years that there has not been RSV in our house.  Brady has so far managed in this cold/flu/rsv season to only have two relatively mild colds, one needing an antibiotic.  A NIGHT and DAY DIFFERENCE from this time last year.  Brady is swallowing liquids without the aid of thickeners.  He has been weaned off ALL medication.  (only needing an occasional breathing treatment when down with a cold)  And at our follow up with the immunologist today, Brady has made my heart sing with joy....he is now in the FIFTH PERCENTILE for his weight!!!  I know this does not seem like a lot, 5%, big whoop.  But from being negative to now being ON THE CHART AT ALL is like a HUGE accomplishment.  Brady weighs just over 24 pounds.  Yes, it still makes me sad that he is still so little.  Still makes me sad that I have to roll his pants up in his waist that are 18 month in size.  And at times he looks so frail.  But he is moving in the right direction.  Like the doctor said (whom I love just have to add), now comes another really hard part in all of this.  WAITING.  You know how good I am with that!  We just have to give him some time and see if he continues to do well.  Pray he continues in the right direction, continues gaining weight.  She will see us again in six months (the gastro will see him again around that time as well...the longest we will have ever gone without seeing a specialist) to see his progress and re-do his huge blood panel to make sure that is going in the right direction as well.  So, I will do my absolute best to have the worries be less and continue trying to fatten this guy up any way I can.  Hooray for small victories!