Thursday Rounds

Amberly delegated the morning blog to me (since i won't be able to go in and see Athan until i've been on antibiotics 24 hours), and it turns out i have a little good news to report. The doctors are beginning to talk about "how Athan will go home." Neurology will most likely want him to go home on a small dose of phenobarb. This would be a precautionary measure and they will evaluate him again later it seems. Endocrinology folks are weaning the amount of cortisone he is getting trying to find a "maintenance dose." we hope this dose ends up being very low. Also, he will go home taking synthroid to supplement what his thyroid gland is not producing. So, for now we'll have to give him 3 medications regularly when he goes home. It is just so exciting to hear any talk at all about going home!

Amberly reports that the little guy is breastfeeding like a champ and that the feeding tube should come out for good today. Everyone seems to be encouraged by how well he is eating and improving. It's great to see the doctors' excitement with how well he's progressing too...it seems like this is happening more quickly than they initially expected. Though there will be challenges in the future, it is almost impossible to not be grateful for the good news of the present moment. Thank you all for praying and for journeying with us through this wonderful and difficult season.

I'll try and get another picture up after i visit Athan during the 6pm feeding-

love,
ryan