Updates

Okay. So I am feeling a little better. It seems as though we are getting a hold on things. I just wish we wouldn't have had to wait so long. His vitals are better and I am overwhelmed by the response of love that I received this morning only minutes after posting my last blog. I am so lucky to have each and everyone of you in my life. I hope that I get the opportunity to meet those of you who follow our story that I have not yet been privileged to know. We are going to be in this hospital for a while but I am thinking that we may have a hold on things currently. Let's just pray things continue to progress without any digression. Pretty much the verdict is that he is severely neutropenic. As a review for those of you who have forgotten, that means he has ZERO white blood cells. Our neutrophils, one type of wbc that we have, is most important in fighting off any foreign invaders. He has zero of them. None. This is caused by the chemo he had. It killed them all off. He came in here susceptible to just about everything out there and that is what he got. He started with a neutropenic fever. He then caught a bacterial infection in his line which we treated. His neutropenic fevers continued raising heart rate, lowering blood pressure. He contracted a rhinovirus (a cold) which has infected his sinuses. Most severely he has come down with Typhlitis, which is common in pediatric patients receiving chemo and who become neutropenic. The CT scan a couple of days ago showed signs of it but the xray did not. After talking to the Infectious Disease Dr. he says a CT scan is more accurate and will take that diagnosis, especially with the diarrhea and vomitting he has been having. X-rays show concentrated clumps of white blood cells, which would be where some kind of infection is, and since he does not have any white blood cells there is nothing to show. He also has a mild case of pneumonia which is being fought by some of the antibiotics already being taken. They are adding one more just to help with another form of pneumonia. So my poor guy has gone through the ringer and will just have to keep fighting a little harder. For my own documentation I am going to list all of his current meds. Antibiotics are: Flagyl, Vancomycin, Gentamicin, Septra, Zosyn, and now Azithromycin. He is also on an Anti-fungal, Caspofungin. He has been taking Ativan for anti-emetics, oxycodone for pain, Benedryl and Tylenol to bring down fevers. Our nurse today is Courtney, whom I have never had, but I L.O.V.E. her. She is fabulous. Spencer's vitals are looking good. His temp is currently 37.9 c which is about 100.0 f. 100.3 is considered a fever. So at the moment we are fever free. His heart rate is back down to 107-114 which is fabulous compared to the 140-160 it had been. His pressures are beautiful. His oxygen levels are still hanging out on the low side so he has been on oxygen all day. He has not slept well for a few days and tries to be tough and not take meds. I asked the nurse, however, to medicate him because he needs to sleep to heal. He, thankfully has been sleeping all day. Thank you for all of your prayers and fasting. Please continue to do so. I need this boy healthy! We love you all.