April 12, 2014

• Ups & Downs

  We came home from Niigata Cancer Center on Wednesday.  Thursday morning, Josh was playful.  Thursday afternoon his playfulness went downhill.  He had lab work drawn before therapy.  During therapy he wilted.  At the post therapy checkup, I ask the doctor if the potassium counts were back.  We wouldn't officially be getting the lab results until Monday's regular checkup, but with how Joshy was acting I was wondering if there was a problem.  It took some coaxing, but the nurses pestered the lab enough to get the results to the doctor.  The doctor doing the post therapy check, then consulted with Joshy's regular doctor, who then consulted with me and then made arrangements for a bed on the 4th floor.  Joshy's potassium was back up and heading toward the severe point.

  One week, 2 hospitalizations in 2 different hospitals, 1 sick little boy!

  B-U-T

  There is much to be thankful for.  One of those things is: April is change over month and our local hospital gained not 1 but 2 pediatric renal specialists  Much consulting has been going on between Joshy's regular doctor, a neurologist, and the other staff doctors.  Yesterday, Joshy's doctor told me he is very happy to have the new doctor to consult with.  So far tests are showing that it is a kidney filtering problem we are dealing with.  The verdict is still out on what is causing the problem, but knowing what the problem is, is helpful.

  Right now we are still doing testing and trying different drug combination to get Joshy's potassium levels stabilized.  He is hooked up to a heart monitor, something the cancer center did not do :/ to monitor how his potassium level changes are effecting his heart.  (Heart problems is the major complication when dealing with potassium imbalance.)  He also has an IV pushing fluids, along with diuretics trying to push those fluids through his system, to flush out the extra potassium.

  Thankfully, today Joshy seems to be doing much better

  

  Praying we will get the problem solved and levels settled soon.  I am pretty sure this will not be a short stay because not only do we need to get the levels stable, but we need to make sure he is stable without an IV.

  In the mean time, I am trying to enjoy spring from the window...

  

  or the parking lot...

  

  I might even head to the park later on before I change places with Jerry, who is hanging out with Joshy while I get some errands run & have some down time.  (one H-U-G-E advantage of being in the local hospital - it is close to home and we can switch places easily!)

  • 1:40 am
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