Proud of Our Conor

Conor looking cool, calm and composed in his grandparents' yard in 

Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley in November. This morning he showed  just 

as much calm while enduring an early morning blood sample needle.

We were, once again, very proud of our Conor today.  Not for demonstrating some special "autism" skill, not for anything that would be featured in a sensational media story.  We were proud because Conor had blood tests scheduled again at the DECH, the local hospital where Conor spent 2 weeks in hospital last year, including 6 days in the Intensive Care Unit.  He had blood tests scheduled to help establish baseline measurements.  He handled them with as much cool, calm composure as actor Steve McQueen portrayed in "the Great Escape" movie. 

Giving blood samples can be a challenge for many adults.  For Conor the blood tests this morning meant he had to fast for 8 hours before the tests and had to start his day at the local hospital before heading off to the school he loves (Leo Hayes High School, Fredericton).  

He had expected to be in school yesterday, like most Mondays but we had forgotten to check his school schedule until the last minute when we were tipped off by a neighbor.  Monday school had been cancelled because of Teacher Development Days so Conor was very anxious to get back to school today.  Conor handled the early morning hospital visit and the blood sample needle with great calm.  He didn't fuss or fidget, whine or whimper and his Mom and Dad were happy to treat him to 2 Tim Horton bagels for a post hospital visit blood test.  Conor made us proud and we were happy for him ... and relieved ... and we got him back to school ASAP.

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You Can Help the Chalmers Hospital ICU Save Lives!

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Fredericton's Chalmers hospital saves lives even with vitally important monitoring equipment that is more than 10 years old.  We found out first hand how important the ICU is when our son Conor spent 6 days at the ICU with a life threatening adverse medication reaction:

Conor during his 6 day stay in the ICU

Conor, in full recovery mode, 3 months after leaving the Chalmers ICU

I understand that the Chalmers Foundation hopes to meet their target for purchasing the new monitoring equipment by the end of August.  

If you are interested in helping the ICU save lives visit the Chalmers Foundation current project page - ICU Making a Difference and contribute towards purchasing new monitoring equipment for the ICU.  

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Extremely Grateful

The Intensive Care Unit of the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton made a difference for our family.  They saved our son Conor's life after he suffered an adverse reaction to new anti seizure medication.  They gave our son back to us. For that we are, as the CBC caption underneath the audio of my interview in support of the ICU campaign to raise funds for new monitoring equipment put it ... extremely grateful. 

As we understood it Conor's muscles were breaking down and releasing proteins that were very dangerous to his kidneys. The ICU team were monitoring him constantly while flushing the meds out of his system, taking blood samples and other tests and examinations and starting him on the road to recovery.  

Conor spent 6 days in the ICU with his mother beside him where she slept on a cot for the  entire stay.   During those six days the ICU doctors and nurses were reading his vital information in the room he was in and at the large desk area outside the patients' room.  This monitoring equipment is 10 years old and needs replacement.  If you can help the ICU team save lives   please do so by contributing at the Chalmers Foundation. 

Audiotape of my interview by CBC's Terry Seguin yesterday in support of the campaign to raise funds for new monitoring equipment for the Chalmers' ICU:

Conor at the Chalmers Hospital's Intensive Care Unit 

In the left of the photo above you can see some of the 10 year old 
monitoring equipment that the ICU team used to save Conor's life.

Conor home and happy after his first day back at the swimming pool as part
of his school recreation activities. We asked his school assistant to take him only in to the shallow end but Conor had none of that and went to the deep end, swimming, jumping off the diving board and going up and down the large slide.

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Blood Tests and Autism: Conor and the DECH Both Did Very Well Today! Thank You Very Much!

Our entire family has had nothing but good experiences at the Doctor Everett Chalmers Hospital, the "DECH", in Fredericton and that trend continued this morning when we took Conor for blood tests at 7 am.  The tests were required by the consulting neurologist to establish some base lines before starting some new medications to address Conor's seizure activities.  We contacted the DECH yesterday to see if they could accommodate Conor with a direct entry to the blood works room without taking a number and waiting in line. We explained his autism, intellectual disability and tendency to have meltdowns when frustrated. The administrative staff were happy to oblige and the team that met us this morning were outstanding!  They knew exactly how to interact well with Conor and everything went perfect!  

Conor did well, very well, today and so did the DECH staff to whom we say, once again, Thank You!

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