 |
So, what does all of this mean? Elijah is doing well after transplant...he took a long and windy road, but he is on the right road! He is still on TPN (IV) feedings because of his intolerance to handle his gtube feedings right now. He is still is very immune suppressed and in many ways has bloodwork results that look more like someone just weeks out of transplant versus months. His numbers aren't strong..but he had been fighting the adenovirus for so long that they haven't had a chance to grow..his body has been fighting the infections caused by the adenovirus.
The adenovirus is still detected but in small amounts. Elijah's hemoglobin was 7 after surgery which explains most all of his symptoms the past days (high heart rate, fatigue, being cold) and he was a bit dehydrated. With a transfusion and some extra fluids, he already is looking better. We meet with the ENT to discuss his ongoing sinus issues post transplant on Monday.
So, we are making plans to re-enter the home front! Lord willing, by next week, we should be able to be back home. We will keep the apartment until the end of November in case things do not go as expected. Going home will involve lots of driving back and forth to the clinic, and we will remain in "post transplant mode" for the next year...but we will be home!
He needs to be home..each morning he asked if we are going to go home..and I can't wait to answer "YES!" sometime soon.
Elijah will still need to wear a mask as much as possible. We will avoid public places and crowds whenever possible. Thanksgiving will be just our family this year. The house needs to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before we get there. We must take careful precautions to keep him healthy and infection free while his newborn immune system grows and gets ready to take over the job of infection control. We have lived in this world for a long time with Elijah because of his fragile immune status before transplant. So, there won't be huge changes for everyone. But, with a house full of people, it is going to be a continuous challenge to keep the environment germ free!
So, there are the details. The wonderful, amazing details. He is coming back home! I, again, have some initial fear about this new phase for us..fear that we will not be able to keep him from an infection. But, quickly, I am reminded of God's faithfulness along this journey and the fear is gone. God has given us the grace, the strength, the peace to have walked this path in ways I could never have imagined..why stop trusting Him now?! He has performed a miracle in Elijah's life...and I can not even begin to express all the gratitude that I feel. And so, I will do what I know how, and keep walking on this path...knowing that without a doubt, He has been, He is and He will be in control of all things!
God has provided us with all that we needed to get through this phase of Elijah's recovery..and we won't stop trusting him now....I can't wait to be home again.... We can't wait to be home all together again...the other children need it so much...They need to have their Momma home..they need to have their sweet brother home alongside of them..This story is not just Elijah's...it is a chapter in our family's story that has forever changed each one of us...strengthened us, challenged us...and filled us with thanksgiving...
...and what a thanksgiving we will have...home all together!
