Still Going Up (by Bree)

Okay, so I couldn't wait until tomorrow to post this: Nathanael's blood counts were still going up as of this morning, which is great news! Here are the two that we're really watching right now:

White Blood Cells - 6.6 (Up from 3.5 on Monday, normal range is 5.0 to 19.5.)
Absolute Neutrophil Count - 5.21 (Up from 1.78 on Monday, normal range is 1.00-9.00.)

More good news is that some of the problems caused by Nathanael's treatment are starting to be resolved. His weight seems to be returning to normal, when it had fluctuated as much as half a kilogram (from 7.14kg (15 lbs 11.3 oz) up to 7.77 kg (17 lbs 1.5 oz) last week, back down to 7.17 kg (15 lbs 12.4 oz), which means that he's no longer retaining so much extra fluid. That probably helped the situation with the low sodium level, which resolved itself several days ago. It also helped his blood pressure, which was high for awhile, and is being treated with amlodipine and diuril, as well as occasional doses of lasix. Probably the biggest problem in recent days has been his low oxygen saturation overnight. To combat it we have given him a dose of decadron at bedtime to help open his airway, and we have used an oxygen mask several inches from his face to "blow by" extra oxygen. So far tonight we have not used ANY extra oxygen, and his saturation has not fallen below 99! (We had a night late last week where his saturation hovered for a short time between 88 and 92, which scared me.) It's encouraging to see these improvements.

The best thing though is that he is starting to feel better - he even smiled a few times! He "played" with the PT, the OT, and the speech pathologist today, and even nursed for a few minutes! :) This was the first time he had nursed in 2 weeks, so I was very pleased. Needless to say, I'm thankful to have a good pump in the hospital, as I've been told that the fact that he gets breastmilk in his feeding tube is helping him, BUT it is MUCH nicer to nurse him that to spend time with the pump. (Seems like I've said that before, but I am so thankful that it looks like he'll take to nursing again that I couldn't help repeating it.) All these things point to his recovery from the mucositis, and to his feeling better in general. Please join us in thanking the Lord for His graciousness to us as our little boy continues to recover. Please also keep the other families here in prayer as you think of us. Many have difficult situations.

We are so thankful for your prayers, and it is our hope and prayer that the Lord will use this in all of our lives to show us His love, and to help us love Him more. Blessings to you as you stand with us through this season.