Evan continues to improve every day!
This morning he had french toast and 'mush' (Dad's term).
His sodium level continues to rise (good thing) and is up to 138...within the normal range now!
The protein level has decreased tremendously (another good thing), and the CSF is now clear...which is wonderful!
He is now filling out (Dad says he's getting 'fat'...lol!), which is great, too. He is behaving like the 21-month-old that he is, and is returning to normal sleep patterns!
Because of lack of activity, they had to give him a suppository to stimulate a BM, which worked VERY WELL, from what I heard...lol!
The surgery to place the shunt, if that still is necessary, will happen sometime next week.
For now they are just keeping a watch on the amount of fluid his body is producing.
All in all, he has had, and continues to have, great days! Please continue to bathe him in prayer!!!
Have a great weekend -
Camille
PS - Our family is camping this weekend, so we will not have internet access...which means no updates over the weekend (at least for Saturday). When we return on Sunday, I'll make sure to get a full update and post Sunday evening.
Thanks again...and blessings to you all!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Good morning ...er, I guess afternoon!
The report this morning still continues to be filled with good news!!!
Evan was weighed this morning, and topped out the scales at 25 lbs. 2 oz...which is the most he has weighed in his life! As many of you know, the first sign that something was not right is that Evan was not only not gaining weight, but had started losing weight! So how exciting to see that he is now packing on the pounds (or at least ounces *smile*)!!!
His sodium level last night was 122, and this morning it was up to 127...which is quickly moving into the 'normal range'! Please continue to pray that his sodium will continue to climb until it reaches the normal range and then will plateau.
I do not believe that they have checked the protein level in the CSF, but from the color of the fluid which is draining (which has decreased..another good sign), it is almost clear...which is a great sign that there is not an excess of protein in it. Remember, it was yellowish-orange (protein), now it is almost clear!
David is with his little man today, which I am sure pleased Evan to have Daddy there!
He (Evan) is still keeping down everything he eats, including the scrambled eggs he had for breakfast.
Please continue to pray for Evan, and I will post again as more news rolls in.
Oh, one other update, he had a bath last night, and Tami said he looked wonderful, and tolerated it well. He had on his new jammies and just looked very handsome. He was also being a typical 21 month old, pulling at the various tubes and wires that are still connected to him...which is troublesome for the caregivers, but awesome for his prognosis because it means he is acting in a way that a 21 month old would act..if that makes sense.
Thanks again, on behalf of the family, for all the wonderful comments and all the prayers that are going up for this family. Please keep up the good work...the fruit it has beared has been very good!
Blessings -
Camille
The report this morning still continues to be filled with good news!!!
Evan was weighed this morning, and topped out the scales at 25 lbs. 2 oz...which is the most he has weighed in his life! As many of you know, the first sign that something was not right is that Evan was not only not gaining weight, but had started losing weight! So how exciting to see that he is now packing on the pounds (or at least ounces *smile*)!!!
His sodium level last night was 122, and this morning it was up to 127...which is quickly moving into the 'normal range'! Please continue to pray that his sodium will continue to climb until it reaches the normal range and then will plateau.
I do not believe that they have checked the protein level in the CSF, but from the color of the fluid which is draining (which has decreased..another good sign), it is almost clear...which is a great sign that there is not an excess of protein in it. Remember, it was yellowish-orange (protein), now it is almost clear!
David is with his little man today, which I am sure pleased Evan to have Daddy there!
He (Evan) is still keeping down everything he eats, including the scrambled eggs he had for breakfast.
Please continue to pray for Evan, and I will post again as more news rolls in.
Oh, one other update, he had a bath last night, and Tami said he looked wonderful, and tolerated it well. He had on his new jammies and just looked very handsome. He was also being a typical 21 month old, pulling at the various tubes and wires that are still connected to him...which is troublesome for the caregivers, but awesome for his prognosis because it means he is acting in a way that a 21 month old would act..if that makes sense.
Thanks again, on behalf of the family, for all the wonderful comments and all the prayers that are going up for this family. Please keep up the good work...the fruit it has beared has been very good!
Blessings -
Camille
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Hi all...
Sorry for the delay in the update today! We were in Wenatchee on family errands.
Okay..now for Evan....
Today has been a fantastic day for our little guy!! Can I hear a 'hallelujah'???
The sodium level, while still low, in on the rise! Also, the CSF is almost clear, which means the protein level has dropped. These are both beyond wonderful!
More good news, you say?
He still continues to recognize familiar faces and objects! Earlier, he said 'nanna' when a plastic banana was held up! This seems small, but it is so grand! It's an excellent sign, as far as the brain goes, that he remembers people and objects! (These are my words, and I'm not doing the report justice tonight..lol!)
He has had a banana, some mashed potatoes and a bottle over the course of the day, and he has kept it all down!
All in all, he had a superb day...which is wonderful for Evan and for his Mom!!!
Your prayers are working! Our God is so wonderful! Please keep up the intercession on Evan's (and the Gimmaka's) behalf!
Have a great evening -
Camille
PS - A great big thank you to everyone, and especially to those that have sent such encouraging words to Trena (and to Evan). I have not spoken to Trena about them, but I have been touched by them, so I can only imagine what they mean to her! Thanks again!
Sorry for the delay in the update today! We were in Wenatchee on family errands.
Okay..now for Evan....
Today has been a fantastic day for our little guy!! Can I hear a 'hallelujah'???
The sodium level, while still low, in on the rise! Also, the CSF is almost clear, which means the protein level has dropped. These are both beyond wonderful!
More good news, you say?
He still continues to recognize familiar faces and objects! Earlier, he said 'nanna' when a plastic banana was held up! This seems small, but it is so grand! It's an excellent sign, as far as the brain goes, that he remembers people and objects! (These are my words, and I'm not doing the report justice tonight..lol!)
He has had a banana, some mashed potatoes and a bottle over the course of the day, and he has kept it all down!
All in all, he had a superb day...which is wonderful for Evan and for his Mom!!!
Your prayers are working! Our God is so wonderful! Please keep up the intercession on Evan's (and the Gimmaka's) behalf!
Have a great evening -
Camille
PS - A great big thank you to everyone, and especially to those that have sent such encouraging words to Trena (and to Evan). I have not spoken to Trena about them, but I have been touched by them, so I can only imagine what they mean to her! Thanks again!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - Evening Update
Tami called me this evening with an update on Evan, and things seem to be a bit better for our little man! Praise God...and bless all of you for your prayers!
The rotation doctor was very pleased with Evan's progress this evening. They have changed his anti-seizure medication and are just giving him Tylenol (regular) for any pain...Praise the Lord!!!
The doctor said he believes that Evan is doing much, much better. He is sleeping peacefully, and will adjust himself in the bed to get in a more comfortable position...which is a very, very good sign. Tami said he also had an itch on his leg, and lifted his leg to scratch it...all this while sleeping. This is another good sign.
The doctor said, 'When he starts to pick his nose, we'll know things are okay.'...lol! So, I'm sure you thought you would NEVER have anyone ask for prayers for their child to pick there nose...and this is just another reason why we should never say 'never' *smile*!
Tami said that Trena is doing much better tonight after such a dramatic night and morning.
Oh, one more note, the fluid that is being drained from his brain is looking more 'normal'. It had been a yellowish-orange color, now it is more a light yellow...near to clear, which is AWESOME!!
Evan WILL NOT BE HAVING SURGERY tomorrow (Wednesday). They are still keeping a watch on his sodium level and the protein level in the CSF.
I'm sure I don't need to ask you to continue to pray, but I will. Please pray, pray, pray!
Also, the encouraging notes to Trena are a lift to her spirit, and are a balm to Evan as well. You know what they say, 'When Momma is happy, everyone is happy!'. Please continue to send positive notes of encouragement to Evan and the family. They are read every day, and I'm sure she shares them with Evan as well.
This blog is not only for you all to be kept abreast of the progress Evan is making, but it is also an avenue to communicate with Evan and his family on a daily basis. So, when posting, please stay positive and offer your prayers!!!
Thanks again and have a wonderful evening!!!
On behalf of the Gimmaka Family -
Camille
The rotation doctor was very pleased with Evan's progress this evening. They have changed his anti-seizure medication and are just giving him Tylenol (regular) for any pain...Praise the Lord!!!
The doctor said he believes that Evan is doing much, much better. He is sleeping peacefully, and will adjust himself in the bed to get in a more comfortable position...which is a very, very good sign. Tami said he also had an itch on his leg, and lifted his leg to scratch it...all this while sleeping. This is another good sign.
The doctor said, 'When he starts to pick his nose, we'll know things are okay.'...lol! So, I'm sure you thought you would NEVER have anyone ask for prayers for their child to pick there nose...and this is just another reason why we should never say 'never' *smile*!
Tami said that Trena is doing much better tonight after such a dramatic night and morning.
Oh, one more note, the fluid that is being drained from his brain is looking more 'normal'. It had been a yellowish-orange color, now it is more a light yellow...near to clear, which is AWESOME!!
Evan WILL NOT BE HAVING SURGERY tomorrow (Wednesday). They are still keeping a watch on his sodium level and the protein level in the CSF.
I'm sure I don't need to ask you to continue to pray, but I will. Please pray, pray, pray!
Also, the encouraging notes to Trena are a lift to her spirit, and are a balm to Evan as well. You know what they say, 'When Momma is happy, everyone is happy!'. Please continue to send positive notes of encouragement to Evan and the family. They are read every day, and I'm sure she shares them with Evan as well.
This blog is not only for you all to be kept abreast of the progress Evan is making, but it is also an avenue to communicate with Evan and his family on a daily basis. So, when posting, please stay positive and offer your prayers!!!
Thanks again and have a wonderful evening!!!
On behalf of the Gimmaka Family -
Camille
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 @ 12:51 pm
Just got off the phone with Trena for today's update:
Evan had another seizure that lasted about 4 minutes. He turned blue, so they had to give him some oxygen. He also threw up again this morning.
Along with the protein level in CSF fluid being too high, it appears his sodium level is too low. Both of these conditions are contraindcative to surgery. The decreased sodium level could be the cause of the seizures.
He is resting fitfully now.
Please bathe Evan and Trena in prayer. She sounded tired, and on the verge of tears, which is understandable.
I will post more later if there are any changes...until then, pray, pray, pray.
Blessings to you all -
Camille
Evan had another seizure that lasted about 4 minutes. He turned blue, so they had to give him some oxygen. He also threw up again this morning.
Along with the protein level in CSF fluid being too high, it appears his sodium level is too low. Both of these conditions are contraindcative to surgery. The decreased sodium level could be the cause of the seizures.
He is resting fitfully now.
Please bathe Evan and Trena in prayer. She sounded tired, and on the verge of tears, which is understandable.
I will post more later if there are any changes...until then, pray, pray, pray.
Blessings to you all -
Camille
Monday, June 25, 2007
Pictures, pictures, pictures...all taken Monday, June 25, 2007
A little bit of physical therapy, bubbles and puppies..gotta love it!
(June 25 @ 2:30 pm)
This lady is a crack up!!! (Can you hear my giggle?)
(June 25 @ 2:30 pm)
Love my puppy, my puppy loves me!
(June 25 @ 2:30 pm)
Mom and Evan just hanging out
(June 25, about 6:30 pm)
Playing a game of 'Get that foot!'
(June 25, about 6:30 pm)
Say 'Cheese', Mom!
Say 'Cheese', Mom! (Evan's turn to take a picture!)
Monday, June 25, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
We (Victoria and I) left Evan's room around 8:15 pm this evening. Just before we left, the night nurse came in to give Evan morphine and an antiemetic (anti-nausea medication). He seemed to be okay, so not real sure why she gave him the meds.
Shortly after we left, they gave him a 4 oz. bottle of a mixture of formula, pedialight and pediasure which he kept down for about an hour, and then threw it all up.
Tami called me around 9:40 pm to say that Evan had started seizuring (shaky and crossing of eyes, etc), and had been doing so for about 20 to 25 minutes. The nurses came in and gave him some Ativan, and it stopped his seizures and now he is sleeping.
I am on the phone with Tami right now, and she said the seizures lasted for about an hour...he was having them back to back. If in a couple of hours he has more seizures, they will give half the dose of Ativan they gave him initially. He is sleeping peacefully now. The first real sleep since his surgery.
Trena is staying in a room at the hospital tonight, so she will be close by.
Please continue to pray!
Shortly after we left, they gave him a 4 oz. bottle of a mixture of formula, pedialight and pediasure which he kept down for about an hour, and then threw it all up.
Tami called me around 9:40 pm to say that Evan had started seizuring (shaky and crossing of eyes, etc), and had been doing so for about 20 to 25 minutes. The nurses came in and gave him some Ativan, and it stopped his seizures and now he is sleeping.
I am on the phone with Tami right now, and she said the seizures lasted for about an hour...he was having them back to back. If in a couple of hours he has more seizures, they will give half the dose of Ativan they gave him initially. He is sleeping peacefully now. The first real sleep since his surgery.
Trena is staying in a room at the hospital tonight, so she will be close by.
Please continue to pray!
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