Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Day +56: Busy Day part I

Last night I stayed the night at the hospital for two reasons: 1. to be with my baby who was so very sick and 2. to make sure I had time to ask my slew of questions to Dr. Tolar in the morning.
Daylon continued to run a high fever until 5 am, after which, I conked out on my hospital cot, which I lovingly refer to as 'soft cement'. The attending visits start ridiculously early so my trip to slumberland was cut short. Anyway, Daylon did well most of the early morning but during rounds the doctors decided to do a chest and head CT on Daylon to see if they could spot anything that could account for his crazy fevers.



off we go!
By 9 am we were out the door and on our downstairs for the procedure. Daylon absolutely loved the rides! His nurse Rachel, asked the doctor who accompanied us if Daylon could start taking little trips around the halls and she agreed! Hopefully we'll start that tomorrow.


The chest CT showed that the back of both lungs were slightly collapsed, but they no one seems to be too concerned or surprised since it's fairly common in people who lay flat for a long period of time. So, the chest isn't the culprit... Next!



His head CT showed that his subdermal hemoatoma is "evolving". The swelling has gone done and the necrotic area of the brain is shrinking. To be clear; the brain damaged area is not shrinking, that area of the brain is. We were told that it's the natural course for this type of brain injury. As for an abscess or infection? None. Going back up to 5C...





While we were gone, Brian and two of the girls (Keira and Violet) came by to visit Daylon. Keira has been bugging us to take her to see Daylon for the past couple days, so Brian had time today to bring her by. I guess Violet had a heart attack when she found out they were going without her, so Brian brought her along too. When they arrived at the hospital and saw the empty room, Brian told the girls to take a seat and wait it out. Apparently, Keira was very concerned about Daylon's where abouts and was unfamiliar with what a CT is (obviously) and Brian told me she was very anxious. He didn't worry about it too much and got busy with something else. After a few minutes, Brian spotted a note Keira had written on the board....


It's a "D" and a question mark. I know I'm her mom so everything she does is cuter to me, but I had to share! It melted my heart!
We came up and visited with the girls and then Brian took them back to the RMH for lunch. Dr. Tolar got the page that we were back and came in for a chat. I had several molecular EB questions and one neurological question. I explained to him, what I explained to you all last night. Daylon doesn't consistently respond, our play with toys, or smile. How much is meds and how much is the new him? He told me simply the same answer he's told me before: I don't know. He said that if the same brain injury had happened to he or I, we would be a vegetable. The fact that he's moving is good. He told me he has hope, which is always nice to hear. I go through these moments where I want to hear the cold truth and then when they give it me, I think, "Whatever. Daylon can still prove them wrong. He has already." I'm fickle. What can I say! :) I guess mostly what I want to hear is, " Oh, he'll be better before you know it!". All good things take time. Deep down, I know that. :)
Dr. Tolar also told me that he wanted to do a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to check for a series of possible infections. The open time slot was for 4pm. Over the few hours we tried to squeeze in as much as possible since dialysis was going to have to wait. The occupational therapist came and Daylon practiced tracking with his eyes, reaching for a toy stick (he didn't try at all with his right hand but he made a bunch of hardy swinging attempts with his left), and she stretched out both arms. We also noticed THIS!!!! (look down)
CHECK OUT THOSE EYEBROWS!! It's like these two little black caterpillars crawled up on his face and made a home! CSA is a drug he's on to kill his immune system so his body doesn't attack Caleb's cells. A side effect is insane hairiness. So, you decide.....
CSA?
or....
Edling genes?
he looks like Steve Carrell in this picture!

So , he went down for a spinal tap, which is an adventure for any kid, and so far everything has come back negative. This is a good thing. As long as everything else comes back negative, they'll call it a fluke and keep moving forward. The last result will take a few days.


Dialysis ened up being cancelled for the day (they would have ended after midnight) but he'll be the first patient on the docket tomorrow morning. Ah, another bright and early day!

By the way, thank you for your comments from yesterday's post. Several of them moved Brian and I to tears and we could feel your love in each of them. We love you all. Please continue to pray for our son. We're so grateful!


PS- Remember how I said we spent some hours wasting time? Well, check the post below. We have a bit of a surprise!! (I would have posted it all together if I could figure out how to have video and pictures live together on my posts in harmony! ) :)








13 comments:

Bernie Gallagher said...

I just got caught up on your blog and to hear this little boy laughing was one of the most moving things ever. As a grandmother of a 16 month old boy I cannot imagine what your family is going through. God must have a very high opinion of you guys to entrust such a special little to your love and care. God bless you all and Daylon has many angels watching over him and giving him strength. He is in my prayers every day. I hope to meet him one day and give him a hug. Love to you all.

Memory said...

I think it's the Edling genes! That was hilarious!

sharon kaye said...

I love Keira's note. What a sweet little girl. I loved that Daylon laughed. What a gift that was for you!!

Mrs G said...

My thoughts and prayers goes to you all across the Atlantic Ocean. Love, Åsa in Sweden

Andrea said...

ha ha ha I love the eyebrows!!!! No one could sport them better than your little guy!!!

BRIAN AND BROOKE said...

Love the eyebrows... I vote the Edling genes!! Brian did look like steve carell..... hilarious!! I hope they find the reason for the high fevers! I loved the D? on the white board...ow sweet is that!! I pray you all the get answers you are looking for to help Daylon! GO Daylon keep surprising everyone :)

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

I can't tell you how encouraging it was to see the giggle video! What an amazing thing to see. I bet they DID page Dr. T! Love that bit of happiness in what is often an overwhelming environment. :)

Gilda said...

Keeping your sweet heart in my prayers. Sending you and your family all our love from Tx.

Chris said...

I liked that Daylon liked the ride and there will be more in his future and his sister's concern for him was incredible. I do think she is her mother's daughter.

The looming uncertainties that you face are huge. I pray for you to have the courage and strength to continue to face your daily challenges.

I so admire you two as parents. And thank you for sharing your story with us.

Jennifer said...

Hi Jennifer,
I just wanted you to know that we are keeping Daylon in our prayers,I have been following the blog and I think you are so amazing, I can see where Daylon gets it! He's a trooper and I loved that video of him laughing, So sweet!

Anonymous said...

Hi Edling family,

I loved the video. I am so very glad to hear and see that Daylon is doing better. Hang in there.
Blessings,
Krista Boyd

Cheryl said...

Thought for the day - "Everything will be okay in the end, if it's not okay, it's not the end."

And I have learned with my own life that "normal" is not a set destination. Normal moves around a lot. Heaven blesses us to be able to adjust to the new "normal." Our capacity increases and we are blessed to adapt. So soon what would not have been okay before can be okay. We can go on and have joy in the new "normal."

And one more thing. I vote genes! :o)

Jennifer said...

Hey Jen- another Jen here! I'm a soggy teary mess here reading this. I just surfed - through divine guidance of course :) - and oh my. Will pray. Will cry. and sob, apparently. the video was amazing. your writing is so moving. Heaps of blessings on you, Sister, Brother, and wee Angel!!