Theo’s fight has been long and challenging, but today brings signs of hope and resilience that inspire everyone around him. On October 14th, the care team noted positive developments. After adjusting his medications, including a decrease in his Bumex drip and a carefully calibrated increase in morphine for comfort, Theo appears more at ease. These small adjustments mean he hasn’t needed additional PRNs, a comforting sign for his family who have lived through months of intense hospital care.
Tomorrow marks an important milestone: Theo’s first trach change. ENT will remove the stitches holding everything in place, and the team hopes to lift his paralytic protocol, allowing him more freedom of movement. Soon after, the plan is to transition him to volume mode on the ventilator and begin a new diuretic regimen to protect his kidneys. Each step is meticulously planned, balancing his comfort, safety, and the long-term goal of recovery.
Despite the physical challenges, Theo continues to engage with his environment in remarkable ways. Today, a light lymphatic massage helped him move slightly, and even while paralyzed, he responded with intentional movement. When holding an octopus toy, he squeezed it on command, demonstrating not just physical response but cognitive awareness and the quiet strength that has become his hallmark. “Good job Theo! You’re so smart!” his caregiver encouraged—a reminder that even in the hospital’s confines, his spirit shines through.
Theo’s auditory health remains complicated. A recent hearing screen revealed no improvement due to swelling in his ear canals, with follow-up tests deferred until the swelling subsides or after future surgeries such as g-tube or hernia repairs. While these setbacks are frustrating, his family remains steadfast, knowing that healing is a process measured in careful steps, not just milestones.
Beyond the medical updates, the emotional and spiritual care of Theo is front and center. With cold and flu season intensifying in the hospital, his mother and caregivers are vigilant, offering both physical and spiritual protection. She shares, “I keep laying my hands on him, asking for Jesus to put a bubble of protection over him.” Their faith and love serve as a shield, creating a sense of safety even in an environment filled with risks of infection.
Theo’s journey is not just about medicine and procedures—it is also about nurturing hope and meaning. A Bible gifted to him has become a source of reflection and inspiration. His mother is collecting verses that resonate with Theo’s experience, creating a lasting record of faith, courage, and perseverance. These words are more than ink on pages; they are reminders of the strength Theo shows each day and lessons in resilience he can carry into the future.
Through all the tubes, monitors, and medications, Theo is finding small freedoms. With adjustments to his trach and the diuretic plan, he can move more, interact more, and begin to reclaim some control over his environment. These moments—squeezing a toy, responding to touch, looking around—are victories that may seem small to outsiders but are monumental to those who witness them. Each step, each response, and each interaction signals progress, hope, and life.
Theo’s journey also highlights the delicate balance of hospital care in a high-risk environment. With RSV season and other illnesses circulating, every sneeze or cough nearby is a reminder of vulnerability. Yet even in these tense moments, his family’s love, prayer, and advocacy form a protective network that keeps him safe and supported.
The coming days are crucial, yet each moment of comfort, each cooperative movement, and each sign of awareness is a testament to Theo’s resilience and the tireless dedication of his caregivers. In his struggle, he shows that courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to face each day despite it. His story reminds everyone watching that healing is a combination of medical expertise, careful monitoring, emotional support, and faith.
Through prayer, family devotion, and the small milestones that mark his hospital days, Theo is more than a patient—he is a fighter, a learner, and a child whose spirit remains unbroken. The Bible being filled with verses chosen for him becomes a chronicle of endurance, hope, and love, offering lessons he can carry forward for the rest of his life.
Theo’s journey, though filled with uncertainty, fear, and challenges, is also defined by victories—both large and small—and by the deep love and care surrounding him. Every movement, every adjusted medication, every prayer, and every touch is a reminder that life continues to triumph, even in the most difficult circumstances.
For those following his story, Theo embodies courage, perseverance, and the importance of faith and family. His experience is a reminder that even in the most trying times, hope can flourish, and love can create small sanctuaries of peace, protection, and progress.
