Monday, January 7, 2008

Well, I was waiting until we got the results from the bone morrow biopsy they did on Friday but we are still waiting. We did talk with the doctors today about being discharged, and they have given us a tentative discharge date of tomorrow. Of course this all depends on how he does through the night and tomorrow. He has made a lot of progress the last couple of days, and as of about 11:00 today they turned off his nutrition because he has to be eating and drinking on his own for us to go home. So far today, he hasn't eaten anything, but he has been drinking lots. Gosh, this sounds like normal healthy Elijah!! The doctors this morning did remind us that his is still in the induction phase of chemo for a very serious disease, so he's not going to feel like eating much but we just need to keep offering. They also talked about starting an appetite stimulant that they give some of their patients that have a little more trouble eating, so we might start that. They also found two soars in his mouth (bummer), so they are going to start him on an antibiotic to help prevent any infections and we will keep giving that to him as long as he is immune supprest. They are also going to start a medication that we swab in his mouth to help prevent thrush. Elijah seem very sore today every time we try and move him or have to touch him. We are trying to encourage him to get up and moving, but he now fights us every time we try and do that. We did get him to go to the play room today when they were having an activity, and also fought him all the way through a bath. It's so hard because he is tired from not getting a good nights rest, and for that matter so are we. We have just decided that even if he could sleep better, the nurses are in so much that it's a very restless night. We are crossing our fingers that we can go home tomorrow, but we'll have to wait and see. We will be going to the oncology clinic in Des Moines the day after we are discharged from here. They want to get some preliminary labs on him and also do lots of teaching with us. It sounds like we will be going about twice a week for labs and once or twice a week for treatment. Wouldn't that be great if they would coordinate them to be on the same day!! I'm not counting on it. Well, if we hear anything more today I will put an update on, otherwise probably just tomorrow. Have a good night! We love you all!!

6 comments:

tonya said...

I found your blog off of Mark and Holly's blog. I was so happy to be able to read that things are improving. I started at the present and went back. The present seems so encouraging and then as I read I started crying about all that little boy has gone through. I bet you are so excited to see his fire come back. Teresa called to let us know and we have been thinking of all of you every day. You guys are amazing. We miss you and pray for you.

Mark, Holly and Boys said...

We'll keep our fingers crossed and keep checking back for the lab results. Hope you all somehow manage to get better sleep tonight. Sending big hugs your way...

Mark, Holly and Boys said...

I don't think I did my last comment right...did it go through? Anyway, we'll keep checking back for those lab results & keep our fingers crossed. Hope all of you manage somehow to get better sleep tonight. Sending big hugs your way...

Anonymous said...

Mya is a cutie. I can just picture with her curly hair. I hope things are going well for her.
It is GREAT to hear that all of you may be coming home this week. Everyone at work is waiting for the day when I tell them you have come home. Tuesday I will take a picture of Elijah so they can see who I have been talking about for the last few weeks. Best of luck tomorrow.
Marye

Anonymous said...

Great Guys - I know this is going to be a long struggle, but he is doing great for no longer than this ordeal has been going on. It will be wonderful to get him (and everyone else) back home and back on a semi-normal schedule. Elijah will respond even better from his own house. We are there for you anytime you need us, you only have to call.

God works in mysterious ways and we have to keep the faith.

Hugs to everyone

Aunt Keryl

Anonymous said...

We read the updates everyday and are glad to read about so much good news!

The Garricks