Busy Week!

What a busy week it has been! Sorry that we dropped off the face of the planet for awhile... life was busy, then I got a cold, then Jason got something nasty which was later named bronchitis, then the next day I got worse and had pneumonia.... one week later, i finally shook off my fever and was able to take Darby back from my Mom (who graciously baby sat so Darby wouldn't get sick!). Thank the Lord that Darby was able to stay healthy through the whole ordeal!

So this week we've been catching up on Darby's therapies, since he had to miss a week... and he's had double duty almost everyday! But he's such a trooper and is hanging in there. Other developments include the lack of eating that Darby was showing... I finally got fed up with the idea of Darby starving himself and he doesn't know it! One of his medications, Zonegran, is an appetite suppressant... and since he's been on this medication he goes through cycles of not wanting to eat. Last Monday he had 8 oz... TOTAL. No juice, water, solid foods... he just eats formula. That is when I made the call to the pediatrician. I was concerned that he might be anemic or lethargic and I wanted some tests done. Darby needs as many calories as he can get because he has to work so hard to do physical things.

Monday's blood test showed some wonky results... his carbon dioxide levels were off. So we went in yesterday to do a retest, as well as a urine collection. Basically the story is this... there are 2 possible reasons for his carbon dioxide levels to be off. One of them, is a condition that focuses in your kidneys. If he is expelling bicarbonates in his urine, when really his body is low in its bicarbonate supply, then its the kidney doing something wrong. But if the urine is showing an okay pH balance, and his bicarbonates in his blood are low, then its the second reason... his Zonegran.

Another lovely side effect of Zonegran is possible acidosis of his blood... his blood becomes too acidic. Bicarbonates keep your blood at the right pH level... if you are low in bicarbonates, then your blood can become acidic. This is possibly what the Zonegran is doing. This condition seems to be more frequently found in younger children who are taking this drug.

So the primary results of the urine test are that it looks good... which would indicate the problem is stemming from the medication. Today we are hoping to get the results of his blood test, to confirm the problem. If his levels are still low, we'll call neurology and let them know, and then make a game plan for fixing the problem. I don't know what the solution will be exactly, if we will change medications immediately, ween off of it, or just lower the dose. But as far as I know, its not an emergency situation.

So besides that, Darby is doing well with his therapy. We're still working on his endurance for all of his therapies. We have finally got the last approval for his 2nd hour of Occupational Therapy, so starting next week we'll be up to our 7 hours a week! Oh, and he's been doing a really good job sitting up on his own! He's been sitting up for about 20-30 seconds without any support. He seems to be really good at it, until he realizes what he's doing! If you can keep him distracted, he sits for a good long while! But you definitely have to sit behind him because once he realizes that he's sitting, he throws himself back really quickly! He's just so cute, and we love him so much :o)

Jason and I are staying busy too! Jason has picked up some extra work on the side with computer consulting, and thats just a huge blessing! And I've been sewing up storm! I used some birthday money to get a couple AMAZING sewing books. I finally received them in the mail this week and I have barely been able to put them down. I made a 'taggie' blanket last night! I am having SO much fun sewing. I really wish I was better at it, but the practice will do me good! I suppose its a great way to learn! I've tried looking for local classes to help with my skills, but have been so disappointed to not find any! But I'm enjoying what I'm doing and I am starting to make things to stockpile and use as gifts as well as an inventory so that I can open my own Etsy store soon :o)

The baby boy is awake! So I better be off to go get him :o)