June 25, Minor Setback

Today's news:

-- Alex had a hopefully only minor setback today. We arrived early in the morning hoping for good news on scheduling his arrival home in the next few days. Instead, we found out that over the night blood had been found in Alex's stool. This is potentially a very dangerous condition.

-- In reaction to finding the blood in his stool, Alex's feedings were cut off and numerous tests were run. He was very hungry this morning and both tired and agitated. He has an IV connected providing him fluids and sugar.

-- There are a number of indications that this is not a major infection. It is possibly a minor abrasion towards the end of his digestive tract:
-->A couple of x-rays did not indicate a serious infection
-->A couple blood tests did not indicate a serious infection
-->His behavior was normal except for the hunger and he does not appear sick

-- If some indication is found that he has an intestinal infection, he will immediately be put on antibiotics and his feedings will be cut off for 5 days while he is fed through an IV. We very much hope this does not happen.

-- At 2:30 today, his feedings were resumed to our relief. But, he is only on one-half feedings until he can be diagnosed further.

-- A couple more tests tonight have indicated trace amounts of blood in his stool so he is still under close observation and half feedings.

-- The nurses complimented Alex on being such a tough little guy. He is holding up great through numerous painful tests and some serious hunger. He only fusses for a couple seconds on the most painful tests. Tonight, he gave Dad a couple of his quick grins while being held and looking around. He does not seem sick from what I can tell.