Brody's first VEPTR placement and life at home afterward

After having the first VEPTER (Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib) placed on August 31, he spent over 6 weeks in the PICU at Primary Children's. There were many set backs in Brody's recovery due to pneumonia and ever worsening kidney disease. We were unsucessful in our attempts to wean him from the venitilator. We eventually opted for a Tracheostomy on Sept 24 so we could take Brody home on life support. Joss and I had to take a lot of trach and vent classes at Primary's before we were finally able to take Brody home on October 8. It was very overwhelming to go home with all that equipment. Our home health was VERY minimal which left 99% of the care on us. Let me just say that sleeping is a thing of the past. And forget about a social life! When Joss and I are the only ones who know how to care for Brody, going out to the movies or to dinner with friends is just not an option....On October 16 it became apparent that Brody was developing some sort of respiratory illness. Our local ambulance crew (who are friends and acqaintances of ours from our community)transported him to Gunnison Valley where Brody was soon put on Life Flight and sent back to Primary's with a respiratory staph infection. I felt as though I had failed him. It had only been a week and we were already back. Luckily we were only there two days and were able to come home Oct 18--Kaybri's Birthday. I felt bad that Kaybri's birthday party had to be cancelled but Joss and I made it a point to bring her to Salt Lake with us so we could take her to lunch and be with her on the 2nd birthday. I think she actually enjoyed her day!...Less than a week later, Brody began throwing up which is very scary with a trach and vent. He was again taken by ambulance to Gunnison Valley. He was admitted and spent two more days. It was beleived that he was still battling the last of the staph infection from the previous week. After getting released, things went much smoother at home. Joss and I really got the hang of it and was able to care for him very well. Its been a lot of work but its been a great character builder for our whole family.