Branson Shaw and his Mom and Dad

3 weeks ago my nephew, Branson Shaw, started experiencing pain in his feet, it progressively got worse and he has now been admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital of Houston for two weeks. There have been numerous tests, tons of pain meds prescribed, physical therapy, and every specialist imaginable has been consulted on his case…all with no definitive diagnosis and treatment plan! They are truly doing everything they can at the hospital to make him comfortable and to try to figure out what is going on with him, but this is something no parent should ever have to watch their child go through.

Here is Stephanie’s latest update on FB…

“Branson Update:

Sunday night (10/2) around 10pm Branson had a bad flare up and unfortunately he was still an hour out for his next dose of meds. He basically had to “cry it out” which was awful. The night time doctor came down and helped to calm him down and distract him. His name was Daniel and his voice was so very soothing. It definitely helped, so much so that when 11pm came, the episode had ended and Branson was calm. I had the nurse hold off on the dilaudid to wait until we needed it. Around 12 Branson’s heart rate monitor started to go off (they have it set to alert at 130+, he’s usually around 100 sleeping) and sure enough he started moaning in his sleep. I had the nurse go ahead and get it ready. By the time she came back he was hurting pretty bad but got instant relief and fell right back to sleep. For the first time in days he slept with his feet ON the bed. He’s been sleeping sitting on the side of the bed so his feet can rest on the floor or soak, so getting him parallel on the bed was a big deal. Still uncovered because he can’t stand anything on his feet, but baby steps! The rest of the night was pretty uneventful which is a big deal because the Shaws haven’t had one of those nights since we’ve been here! Around 7am, same thing, his heart rate started going up and I called for meds. It seems if we can catch the flare up early then he’s much quicker to calm back down.

Yesterday (10/3) morning was pretty rough. We had so many doctors in and out - Pain management team, neurological team, Physical Therapy, the dermatology team, plus the usual nurses and PCA. They all agree the soaks need to be reduced. It’s hard because for so long it’s been the ONLY relief he gets, and even still now it’s the only INSTANT relief he gets. The first part of the day was hard, we would stretch him between soaks plus all the white coats coming in to examine and touch doesn’t really put Branson at ease. As the day progressed, Branson did better. He got an IVIG with Benadryl so he was able to get a nap in. He had a couple moments here and there but nothing too too bad. They have upped his oxcarbazepine and plan to take him off the ketamine infusion and switch to oral as needed. We have requested a psychology team to start meeting with Branson. The toll the constant pain is taking on him mentally is something we can’t ignore.

We still don’t have any answers but the main focus has been pain management and yesterday felt like a step in the right direction.”

Please know that Brandin and Stephanie Shaw are not the kind of people who are comfortable with taking donations. However, with every thing they are going through right now, medical bills and home expenses should not be a worry for them, but it is.

Any little bit you can give will alleviate that burden and if you can’t donate money, that’s ok, they are not too proud to ask for prayers, please! Please pray for Branson and please share!

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬