Warrior Boy

This is my handsome nephew Josh. He is one of my heroes. He goes through so much everyday that no kid should have to go through.

 

 He was just released from Primary Children's Hospital after getting a horrible infection from his PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a long, thin, flexible tube known as a catheter. It is inserted into one of the large veins of the arm near the bend of the elbow. It is then threaded into the vein until the tip sits in a large vein just above the heart. The PICC line is Josh's way to get all his nutrients. He doesn't eat food like everyone else and needs IV nutrition. They took out the PICC line because of the infection and they put in a broviac line instead.

                                     What kid likes to get pokes many, many times a day?

                                                                  He is such a trooper.

This next part is what my sister Melissa wrote on facefook to explain all his tubes.

 

"I guess I better explain all of Josh's tubes! The highest tube closest to his neck is his new broviac (central line) that he receives his TPN (IV nutrition) through. The one below that is his gj tube. The g port is venting into a bag 24/7 to help prevent vomiting and distention. I keep his j extention on him all the time since his Med schedule calls for meds 9 times every 24 hours. The tube below that is his appendicostomy. Josh is the first person at our children's hospital to have a mini-one button used for it. We do get alot of confusion about it and many medical professionals think its a second feeding tube."  

 Everyday is a struggle for this little guy but he is a special, warrior boy. Although my sister, Melissa, and brother in law, Scott, go through just as much and are amazing people too.

You can follow Josh on facebook.

JoshsWarriorJourney