A Few More Days of Isolation

It seems we continue to step backwards instead of forwards. We've tried various things to get James to tolerate his feeds, but so far have not been successful. As soon as we put something in him it comes out the bottom end, often before we're even done feeding him. This morning we decided to try a new tactic again. Instead of giving him 4 feeds a day we are continously feeding, giving him 30ml (1 ounce) per hour. This is our last attempt before having to put him on TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition - food/vitamins via IV). We are really hoping this last attempt will work as we rather not have to put him on TPN. We don't have a problem with the TPN in itself, but it's the IV. His original IV (which is acually the 2nd, since the first one on Sunday was a dud) came out this morning (5 days old), and with all the times they've drawn blood this week, James does not have much of a selection of veins to draw from. (The kicker of it all is that it's not uncommon for it to take two tries before they get the vein, and that after rooting around a good bit first.) Also, TPN is hard on the veins, making for greater chance of 'losing' the vein again and making the vein more callus. We are really seeing the value of a PORT right now.

James has been off of his antibiotics for 48 hours and so far no fevers. This is good. His white blood count was low yesterday, indicating that he's still fighting infection as. This is characteristic with the virus he has, so it does not indicate anything else going on. His potassium levels are also low, meaning he needs more electrolytes. He does get potassium through the Pedialyte we are giving him, but not enough. This is another reason that they will have to start TPN soon if his gut doesn't start to accept the feeds. The biggest concern for James is always his Ammonia levels (indicating his protein levels) and so far these continue to be fine.

James had a slow start again this morning, but perked up just before noon hour and played really nicely. He's loving the fact that he was not connected to the IV and could play throughout the room. He especially liked to hang out by the window and watch the activity of the outside world. His room is at the corner of the hall way, by the main entrance, so there's lots to see! At noon I had to hook him up to start his continous feed, but he continued to play well and I thought I wouldn't be able to get him down for his nap. I put him in bed and not even 3 minutes later he was sound asleep. I guess all that extra activity tuckered him out, but it was nice to see him actually walking and playing.

The respirologist came to visit us this morning. We're still trying to process what he was telling us, he seemed in such a hurry. So here's what I think he was trying to tell us: At this point they still believe what is going on with James is the para-influenza 3, which is a respiratory flu. James' lungs are infected or inflammed, which means that he has a pneumonia. Most of us think of pneumonia as a specific infection or cold, but really it's a general term for inflammation in the lungs (or so I gathered from the conversation). At this point James will continue to be monitored and hopefully he can kick this virus on his own, if he does not, they may need to help his lung along by flushing them out. At this point this is not necessary. The biggest thing need right now to help them see how he truly is doing is an x-ray of his chest when he is NOT sick. Every x-ray that has been taken is when he's in hospital because he is ill. We need to find out if his lungs look the same when he is doing well. From there further decision can be made on if/or what type of treatments to do. He has suggested that it is possible that it is the same infection which brought him to hospital earlier, altho at that time we did not get a positive result on the tests.

Rob stayed with James last night since I could not handle another night of no sleep ... of course last night James slept just fine (the night before he kept coughing and the IV kept going off every 15 minutes). But I got a wonderful nights sleep ... ready to tackle a few more not so good ones. Rob's busy cramming for his first exam ... can't wait until those are done!! :) But I must get back, Rebecca is coming to visit me. Don't want to be gone when she gets there.