Day 8

Another great dive! She fell asleep almost immediately on the drive there. She woke up a few minutes before we arrived. She had her snack with grandpa and was happy to go in with me! She ran up to the technician and hugged her. It looks like she's made another friend.

The dive went well, we watched “Happy Feet.” When she started getting whiney, I slid down to the foot of the tank to give her more room. This seems to help so that she can move around a little better. She drank her juice when the pressure changed and didn't even rub her ears!

When she came out, it was like she had Happy Feet! She was energetic and happy, and vocal! Yesterday, she started singing in the chamber to herself. Today we were clapping together and she was giving me kisses. I'm going to post some videos of her after the dive today...too cute!

One thing I've noticed on myself, my face seems to have a rosier appearance! I have some natural blush. Hey, if I start looking 10 years younger, I won't complain.

HBOT exiting chamber on dive #6

She was super excited getting out of the chamber! She was happy and very energetic! She even hugged the technician!

Day 7

Olivia fell asleep very soon after we started off for the HBOT center. We didn't even have time to show her the video. Oh well, I think she's getting bored with it anyway. She woke up when we turned off the car and she wasn't super happy. Grandpa gave her a brownie and that worked wonders!

Olivia was a little cranky getting on the stretcher with me. I was hoping she would be cheerful since another little boy and his dad were watching us go in and I didn't want him to get scared.

Olivia was “all done” about half way through. Then she was a bit whiney and cranky..she was biting the pillow and chewing on her straw. I moved myself down to the foot of the chamber and Olivia rolled on her back so that her head was on the pillow. She seemed comfortable (I wasn't, but its not about me..) She was drinking her juice and actually watching tv! If I can get her used to this position and comfortable watching the tv, maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to leave her alone in there. Its a long shot, but I can be hopeful!

Day 6

Best dive yet! We got to the HBOT center 10 mins earlier than usual. We walked through the main entrance instead of the side. My dad played with Olivia in the lobby at the water fountain as I visited the restroom (I learned my lesson!) Olivia had a snack with my dad in the lobby and then Olivia pulled me down the hallway (running) to the office. I let her choose the movie, and she chose “Finding Nemo.” How appropriate for our dive! We went into the chamber happily. I brought in her juice and I think she finally realized that drinking as we change pressure helps. She only drank in the beginning and the end. She started signing “all done” when we were in about 45 mins and never cried. She came out of the chamber very energetically and looked like she wanted to hug the technician!

We took a little walk outside before getting into the car for our ride home. She ate again and is now getting sleepy.

I don't have any dramatic changes to announce. Its more subtle. She seems quicker, more alert, its like she is processing things she sees and hears faster. So far so good!

Friday, Day 5

TGIF!! We are tired. Olivia is usually tired by the end of the week, so I wasn't surprised how tired she was this morning. I was surprised, however, when she came energetically off the bus and RAN up the driveway to the house. I then read in her note from her teacher that she took a 25 min nap at school. She then took another nap in the car and woke up very cranky when we got to the HBOT center. She cried going into the chamber, whined and cried during the treatment, and was happy to get out. Now, as we are driving home, she is cranky again. It looks like she'll fall asleep. Yup, she's out.

All in all, it was a good week. I'm glad we are doing this. I knew it would be tough, and it is, but we are all hoping it'll be worth it. I'll be watching her closely this weekend to look for differences!

Day 4

Today went much better! It had alot to do with my mom and Eve coming. It changed the dynamic of the trip, so she was in a much better mood when we got there. This time, I layed on the stretcher first and she actually came to me. She layed on me without a fuss, and we slid in without tears! (or snot) I brought in her drink, but she refused it during the pressurization. She did drink it at the end, so I think that helped. We used a flatter pillow and the air stayed nice and cool. My mom kept coming over and playing with Olivia, she made both of us laugh! I was laughing so much, I started to wonder if we were getting laughing gas instead of oxygen.

The time went by much quicker. Olivia did have moments of whining, but not too bad this time. I didn't feel overly confined either. One time I had an itch on my leg, though, and I couldn't scratch it. Oh well. I made sure I visited the bathroom before going in and that helped tremendously!

After 2 HBOT sessions

She is responding very well to her video. You can compare this to the video of her the day before on youtube. (search for oliviasmommee) its vid00024