Garrett- medical expert

Because of the amount of time he spends in the hospital, Garrett knows things most 8 year olds don't.

He knows nursing mnemonic devices like "white on the right, smoke (black) over fire (red)" will lead to correct EKG lead placement. He knows what type of iron infusion to request so it won't feel like it's burning going through his IV. He knows the different buttons to push on an infusion pump if the line is occluded or if the syringe is empty and tells nurses when he thinks it's time for them to "flush his line and not just do a reset." 

Lately, he's also been a lot more hands on. He removed his own feeding tube, has done a lot of the work to take care of his own ostomy, "helps" the nurses change his lines, and tonight even got involved to the extent it was safe in removing his PICC line! The PICC removal was a big step forward toward discharge. 

While we wish Garrett's natural curiosity and intelligence were being exercised in ways other than gaining hands-on medical skills and vocabulary while still in elementary school, we are really proud of the nuanced questions he asks doctors and nurses and how he has risen to the challenges he faces. 

And maybe all this knowledge will be put to use one day for a future career! 

Helping his nurse with his lines. 

Explaining to Gibson (and me!) via FaceTime where a PICC line goes in his body. 

Removing his own dressing in preparation for PICC removal.
He brought his own adhesive remover to CHOP so tape doesn't get pulled off his skin and hurt!