Update on Drexel

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there is much change to update on with Drexel. The lymph node on his neck is still infected, he's still on antibiotics, and the lump hasn't gone down much. He's still had a fever and they're not sure whether they're going to have to perform surgery to drain fluid from the lymph node. It's all waiting. The Drs told me today that they are trying to let the fever do it's job and will only be giving him Motrin when it goes over 102, which is has just about whenever the last dose runs out. I'm not sure when he's coming home, but I get the idea that it's probably not tomorrow either.


Drexel is in fairly good spirits most of the time. His coloring skills have improved a lot over the last 3 days, he's becoming quite an artist, and he even won some matchbox cars today in Body Parts Bingo! He's enjoyed his walks around the floor, and has been doing a lot of flirting with the nurses.

I asked the Dr why this was happening, and if this could be a symptom of something else going on in his system. He didn't think so. He said that Drexel's lymph nodes are doing just what they're supposed to do, catch infection. They're just holding on to it. I asked if his system was just weak in that area (lymph nodes) and he said that no, that's not the way to look at it, because his lymph nodes are preventing that infection from going anywhere else in his body. I still don't completely get it. Where is the infection coming from in the first place?



Please keep praying, Eric and I are getting tired and discouraged, and Drexel is starting to miss everyone here at home.

 

Hi Cindy,

Try not to get discouraged, Drexel will need you to be strong. Let the doctors do what they trained for and have faith in them and God.

Thinking of you all.

Danny.

 

Will keep you guys in my prayers. Hang in there. It's tough being a parent when one of the kids is suffering.

 

Drexel's fever keeps spiking, so he is going to have an ultrasound done tomorrow morning (Wednesday), and depending on the results, they might take him right in to drain the fluid out of the lymph node. Of course this means that he's not coming home tomorrow night either, which will make it 5 nights that he's been in the hospital.

Halo, it's those big blue eyes and the long eyelashes that's doing it, as well as the fact that's he's amazingly polite and agreeable (well for the most part - he's starting to get sick of having his temperature taken every 2-4 hours). Plus, he's been singing to them and they can't resist "Down by the Bay" Even his grumpy face is cute!

He didn't win a coloring contest, it was Bingo. They broadcast it on the hospital's closed circuit television channel, and the kids can play along in their room and call in on the phone if they get Bingo.

I've got some pictures of him in the hospital. They even gave his stuffed dog, Gawgie a little gown that matches Drexel's. Very cute.

 

Cindy,
I'm very sorry to hear about Drexel being so sick. My thoughts will be with you all until he is better.
Remember, the more he laughs and smiles, the quicker he will recover

 

Eric and Cindy, my prayers are with you and your family. I agree with Kodo with the laughing and smiles - to coin Reader's Digest, "Laugher, the Best Medicine"

 

sounds good


Latest is that there is no abcess, so no draining surgery. *whew* They're still not sure what kind of infection this is, bacterial or viral. They took a chest xray to see if there is swelling in the lymph nodes in his chest, but we haven't heard the results yet. I think it is actually good if there is swelling there because it points more toward infection and away from other things. If there is no swelling, the next step is a biopsy.

 

My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Nothing is harder than the illness of a child, harder too is when they can't pinpoint it.
My son is home (thank heavens), with a cast on his right arm and a full leg splint on his left leg. As I said, nothing is harder. But we deal with it as well as we can and we keep our faith.
Best wishes to you and your family Cindy. Chin up.

 

And not to mention the coolest name. Kids shouldn't have to spend time in hospitals. My thoughts are with you, and I will watch for your posting that he is 100% ok again.

 

Cindy & Eric...I'm so sorry Drexel is having difficulties. I know from when my kids were in hospital how difficult it is but kids are pretty resilient and mostly take it in stride from what I recall all those *cough* years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you all..please give Drexel a big kiss and hug from me.

Would love to send him a card or a FL postcard...can you give me the hospital address?

I'm looking forward to talking with you this weekend but uhmmmm like....I would need your phone number again...I'm such a lamer...thought for sure I had added it to my "Geeks" tablet but it's not there! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v173/star17abby/utoh.gif

 

My thoughts and prayers are with you

 

sorry to hear this
I really hope he'll get better soon, don't give up hope you two, that's the one thing he really needs, strong parents

You're in my thoughts

 

He's finally HOME!!!! Woo-HOOO!!!!!!

He finally had 24 hours of no fever (well, it was low grade a couple of times) and they sent him home with antibiotics.

I asked about anything we could do to prevent this from happening again, and the Dr said that there isn't much we can do. His body does a good job of catching any little infection that's trying to get through, but then it over reacts in the lymphnodes. It's like they hold on to the infection or something.

He's feeling much better. Yesterday right before they released him, he was driving me nuts because he was so restless. He's so glad to be home!

We've got a follow-up appointment on Wednesday, so I'm coming up with more questions in the meantime. Could this be an ongoing problem? What can we do if it keeps happening? etc. Sometimes it's hard for me to even know the questions to ask.

Abby, check your PMs

 

Glad to hear Drexel is home. Is always so much better to have them home where they belong.

I hope the doctors can come up with a reason this keeps happening, and if there is any way to prevent it.

Take care.
Gal

 

Finally some good news! Glad to hear Drexel's home & doing better. Write down that list of questions for the doctor so you don't miss any next Wednesday.

 

Aww, the poor little man... I'm glad he's home and I hope he keeps getting better and stays that way. It's gut-wrenching when little kids are sick/in pain and theres little to nothingyou can personally do to alleviate it, and that kills you. I'm so glad you ALL came through OK. Love the whole bunch of ya.

 

I'm so glad he's home Cindy, I've been thinking about you, Eric, and your beautiful kids lately, wondering how you all are. Sending hugs and love your way. elfette love, of course.