Update on Skye

Hi everyone! This is a technical update on Skye, my oldest, that you have all been following so faithfully. 
Dr. Pong, our Infectious Disease doctor who is now one of two of our primary doctors in this process, called to say that the clots are the same size and there is complete blockage still of the left and right portal veins. 
The spleen is only mildly enlarged and the bladder, kidneys, gall bladder and liver all look good and are not swollen.
CRP levels are normal (a marker for infection) as are his CVC (white blood cell count)! His "anisi" (not sure what this stands for) is over 3,000 and his hemoglobin is 12.4. These are all good numbers.
There was a very low
bone marrow count the last 2 weeks but that has risen back to a normal range. That is a big concern as he is in the middle of puberty/growing and we don't want any early onset bone/growth issues.
She said, in addition, that his overall blood panel levels are very strong and whatever I'm feeding him is surprising that he has such great levels.
We will redo the ultrasound in 2 weeks. If the clots are still there, still the same size, we will take out the PICC and stop giving antibiotics. The auxiliary veins (the ones that were created by the body to move the blood in and out of the liver while it's lifeline veins were blocked) are working well and although the main portal veins are fairly blocked, the liver tissue looks good.

O.k. so maybe what I said was a lot of mumbo jumbo. Here is the good and the not so good:
1. Clots (complete thrombosis)are not good in any way/shape/form so we can continue to pray that those dissipate.
2. Same size clots that harden and heal are sticky spot on the sides of the vein where infection has a higher chance to attach itself.
3. There are so many levels in your blood that can be off. He has excellent levels and internal health (must be the ChickFilA) Seriously though, she said that usually this antibiotic wipes kids out.
4.The bone marrow count is a miracle. With this drug, usually the numbers don't go up!

So in 2 weeks, we'll get another ultrasound and tests and this will determine if we can have it out. Not exactly what we wanted to hear in terms of the PICC line staying in. Great news on the blood and tissue levels though! 

Pondering

"Hark, how the bells, sweet silver bells
All seem to say, throw cares away
Christmas is here, bringing good cheer
To young and old, meek and the bold."


Oh sweet loved ones near and far off
those who have been close and those who have been distant

We wish you a merry Christmas!

Because whether we are ready or not,
Whether it be June or September,
Whether we want to celebrate right now or we believe it to have happened nearer to summer

Whether you feel weak,
meek
old...

Whether you feel good, young and bold,

There is a time to acknowledge that He has come for us.
He died for our sins

He will rise with healing in his wings

And you will be released

Whether it's now

or later. Or now AND later.

This is good cheer. This is worth waking up each morning for and staying up through the wee hours of the night to bring medicine or warm milk or a listening ear or a tender breast to young and (sometimes) old.

This is good cheer because it means that this isn't our end. 

It means that those bells of freedom are going to ring whether you're ready or not. 

And it means that I am not in charge of when the bells ring. And in my moments of pushing on and wondering what I'm doing in this wandering space, the bells will ring! And it won't be because they rang too soon or too late.

"Till ringing, singing, on it's way

The world revolved from night to day...

God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

Merry, merry, merry day. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found!