Went to see Dr. Milczuk today at OHSU.  He’s the ENT doc who found the cleft palate and put in August’s last set of ear tubes.  Last month he said that the tubes had come out and that his eardrums looked thick, which could mean fluid in the ear, which could mean another set of tubes going in.  We found out today that both ears have fluid and he will in fact need another surgery to get tubes put in.  Don’t know what other procedures are on the horizon, but in my typical form, I will try to get multiple procedures, as well as a bunch of blood work done at the same time to minimize the number of times he has to go under.

August turned three recently and I have been thinking about the day he was born.  It was sunny and warm and beautiful in Portland, just like it was this year.   Three years ago we spent his first 41 days of life in the NICU.  August came home on the first day of spring with a G-tube, 6 prescription medicines, bags of syringes and tubes, bottles, nipples and a freezer full of breast milk.  I can’t believe that he still has his G-tube three years later, but I guess once I accepted it, I’ve always thought he would be three when he got rid of it.  So here we are…facing another day of surgery and many more nights of tube feedings and little sleep, another shipment of feeding supplies, another meal not eaten (or eaten and spit out).  But I will not go another year without intensive intervention to get this kid to eat.

Can’t wait to see what his 4th birthday is like!

Turning three is a big deal. This is the year we want August to eat on his own and get rid of his tube. We are kicking-off our August to Austria fundraiser, mostly on Facebook, but through traditional e-mail as well. I’ve always thought that August would get his tube out at three, then I came across this amazing tube weaning program for kids. It’s at the Graz University Children’s Hospital in Austria. They are ready and excited to meet August and help him eat and eventually wean him off his tube.

Our insurance won’t cover any of the expenses for this treatment. Both of us are unemployed right now, actively seeking work. We are quickly going through our savings, but we don’t want any of that to stop us from helping our Little Man learn how to eat and change his life.

If you all could kick in a little bit–we are hoping for 10000 FRIENDS TO DONATE $25 EACH–to cover the cost of this innovative, intensive and effective therapy. He could be off his tube forever after only four weeks on in-patient treatment. Can you help us out? Do you know someone who might want to help? Please send them a link to this site, or become a fan of August to Austria on Facebook, where you will find photos, a donate button, and an easy way to spread the word.

Thanks!