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AndrewBlog
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ChrisMiller

Andrew

 

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Chris

Greetings Andrew https://goo.gl/yVGe2G Chris Miller

hi Andrew

hiya Andrew


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Take care
Chris Miller

Off Medication

Things have been so uneventful with Andrew's recovery that we have been really bad about posting updates for people who followed his recovery through this blog. The update is that he is basically done with everything at this point. His blood count numbers stayed at consistent levels as they weened him off of medication, and about a month ago they took him off of the little bit of medicine he was still taking. He had a blood count and doctor's visit three weeks after they took him off medication, and everything looked good. Now he doesn't have to go in for a checkup for two months, and they will space out the appointments even more if things look ok at that visit. They consider the aplastic anemia to be in full remission, and the doctors are more checking for any signs of reoccurence or for any side effects from the medication. Other than that, it looks like he is done with this. Hopefully there is nothing else to write about and this is the last post. We want to thank everyone who helped us through this the past couple of years, and anyone who kept up with his progress through these posts. It has really meant a lot to our entire family.

Operation Done

We just left the operating room after Andrew's bone marrow biopsy. All went well, and , after his regular breathing treatment, we will head home. During the procedure, Andrew lost his first tooth(it has been loose since Monday). When he woke up, he was given his tooth, along with a jar full of money from the "hospital tooth fairy".

Five and Counting

There has been nothing but good news with the last five blood draws for Andrew. At each one, Andrew's blood counts have been good enough to reduce his medication level again. He has gone from 1.2mL a day to .7mL in this time.

He goes in again March 16 for another blood draw. That day they are also going to do a bone marrow biopsy so they can check how his marrow has progressed since they started this therapy almost two years ago. They are going to put him under to do the procedure, but it shouldn't be a big deal. We will keep everyone posted.

Great news from U of M

Andrew went to U of M last Friday. We received a really great report about his progress. Andrews numbers are up. In fact, they are sky high for Andrew. We were able to reduce his medication even more. The doctor also mentioned possibly stretching the amount of time between visits. Right now we go every 3 weeks for a lab draw and breathing treatment. We see the doctor every other visit. If Andrew's numbers stay up, we should be able to push the doctor's visits to longer intervals. We will have to see how he does with this reduction in medication. As for now, we are thrilled with his improving immune system.

An interesting weekend....

I know it's been some time since our last post. Andrew has been doing very well on his medicine, however, reduction of medication has been extremely slow. Much slower than we thought it would be. Andrew's body takes several weeks to adjust to the lower amount of medication. But, slow and steady wins the race.

This week we had an interesting episode. Andrew ended up getting sick on Wednesday morning. This meant he had to miss "Special Person's Day" at school with Auntie Shelayne. He was bummed. On Thursday night his fever spiked pretty high. We went to U of M on Friday morning for a lab draw and breathing treatment. The nurse who administers the breathing treatment wanted Andrew checked out before he had the medication. The doctor who looked at Andrew said his lungs sounded clear and that he has a virus. Andrew's numbers were also very high (every one was in the normal range). She felt that these numbers were a reaction to the virus. This is good news because it means Andrew's body is trying to fight off the virus.

Andrew ended up having a blood culture done and he also needed an antibiotic...which meant starting an IV in his hand. So, that was Andrew's second poke of the morning...poor guy. Anyway, after about 5 hours we were able to leave the hospital(This appointment usually takes about 45 minutes). We got some McDonalds and headed home for a relaxing weekend. Andrew is feeling much better today. Looks like he will be well enough to go to school on Monday.

It's been a while....

Hi all. I know it's been a few months since we have posted anything....sorry...busy summer! Andrew is doing well. He has been to U of M every three weeks this summer for either a blood draw or a doctor's visit. So far his numbers have stayed steady except for his neutrophil count which seems to be dropping. The doctor has not reduced his medication all summer because of this. The doctors are keeping a close watch on this number just in case it drops further.

The good news for Andrew is that he is able to go to school, which starts on Monday. He will be in kindergarten at Living Word. He is very excited! We ask that you keep Andrew in your prayers as he starts school and is exposed to more people. Pray that he stays healthy and does not have to miss too much school!

Back from Disney with a minor complication

We are officially back from Disney World. Boo! Everyone had a great time, especially the kids. Sophia's favorite part was eating dinner with the princesses at Cinderella's Castle. Andrew's favorite part was going on a pirate cruise with some pirates. Madeline's favorite part was eating at the Living Seas and seeing Nemo.

Our last night in Disney was interesting, however. Andrew woke up in the middle of the night complaining of stomach pains. He got sick and had a high fever. In the morning I called U of M and the doctor said he could fly home, but should come right to the ER when we arrived at the airport. Chris took Andrew to U of M hospital when we arrived home and has been there most of the night. I just got word the Andrew is doing fine, he just has a bug that is causing the fever. His lungs sound good and his throat looks fine. His blood counts are up, so the doctor's felt he was healthy enough to come home. So Chris and Andrew are stopping at McDonald's and heading home. Tomorrow will be a day of rest and then back to reality.

Sophia and Andrew Get Strep Just in Time for Disney

Andrew was running a fever in the 101.5 range on Sunday, so we called the hematologist on call at U of M Hospital, who advised us to go to the emergency room at Beaumont yet again. They did the same tests on Andrew they have done in the past. Everything came back negative and his blood counts were high, so they sent him home.

Andrew's fever persisted intermittedly on Monday, and he started complaining of a sore throat every now and again. Sophia started getting a fever and showed signs of having pink eye, which Andrew and Madeline had a few weeks back. The fevers continued today, and Andrew's got up to 103.5 today, so we called U of M again today, who told us to see our pediatrician. After checking the two of them out, he determined that they both have strep.

He gave them bith antibiotics, and said they should be fine and not be contagious within 48 hours. That's good, because our flight leaves for Disney World in 72 hours. Madeline has not complained about feeling sick as of yet. Should be an interesting few days befor we leave.

We are back home....

....and Andrew is doing great. Andrew just ate some food and is watching Toy Story. He is feeling well and I think most of the anesthesia medicine is wearing off. He was a little emotional and upset in the hospital, but has since perked up after eating. The doctors told Andrew he needed to relax and take it easy the rest of the day and he should be back to normal by tomorrow. A day of movies and naps sounds great to me!

Surgery Finished

Andrew's port removal is complete. The surgeon just came out and talked to us. He said all went well and that there should be no real problems. We are just waiting for him to wake up so we can go back and see him.