Jason was up at 5am bright and early. He seemed to be much better this morning. It's amazing what a drip does. I have read about dehydration actually causing vomiting and I think this is true in Jason's case. A vicious cycle, we can't feed him because he is gagging and so sick, he becomes dehydrated because of lack of fluids and that lack of fluid can cause him to vomit. We can't seem to win this battle.
We did more blood tests this morning as well as a chest and a sinus xray. Well from the tests Dr. P advised that the urine test showed high levels of ketone which is normally seen in diabetics. In Jason's case starvation/nutrition related. From what I have researched when there is not enough insulin to help your muscles absorb glucose from the blood and when your muscles are starved from energy they start to "burn" fat. This produces breakdown products called ketones. These are toxic acids. The accumulation of these acids in the body may lead to elevated levels of ketones. So in other words with Jason not having the right nutrition and fluids in his body, fat is being used.
The chest xray showed that there is fluid on his lungs and we are sure he aspirated when vomiting. The sinus xray showed quite a bit of sinus congestion.
I tried feeding him this morning via the tube, bolus feeds, only 60mls at a time. The 8:30 feed went fine but the 60mls at 9:30am didn't go well. His face started going red, his nose was red as well as his ear and he started gagging again. He eventually calmed down and stopped gagging. We decided while he is in hospital confined to a bed we must take it slow and put him on the pump to get some nutrition into him. He was fine all day on the pump at 60mls an hour. Tonight we will do 70/80mls an hour - not going to push nutrition and he ends up gagging and vomiting anyway.
I also saw Prof B today - what a man. He received my frantic email on Wednesday when Jason wasn't well and got hold of Dr. P immediately to find out how Jason was. He came to see us today and he will also come tomorrow. He is a bit worried about the high Albumin levels from the blood test. Again through my research this can be due to the fact that he was very dehydrated. We are doing an early morning urine test which I think is to test for the protein in the urine - kidney related. Prof B is the kidney specialist. He would like to do the necessary tests soon which we are hoping will be beginning of August and Jason will be well enough for them.
Erin came to visit us this afternoon. She really is a honey and we are so sorry that she is leaving. Dr. P met her today and rubbed it in that we need to find someone else as he doesn't want Jason going back to school. I am sure we will find someone else. I have advertised and I have spread the news. Bruce and I were thinking maybe more a retired lady that could do with the extra money and would enjoy doing something with her morning. We will see what happens. God closes doors but always opens other doors for us.
Otherwise this afternoon Jason was a different child. He was all happy, singing in the bath, chatting to the nurses, leaving voice messages for his daddy, granny and grandpa and cousins. It's amazing what hydration and a drip can do. He was even drinking water out of a glass which he never does at home.
Tonight before bed his temp did rise a little and his face went red again and he didn't look well but we will see how he goes tonight. We have started his Neocate at a reduced rate and not going to push him.
Hopefully if all goes well we can be home by Sunday/Monday but all depending on how Jason is with his hydration, feeding and fevers.
I must say I have learnt quite a few new medical terminologies today. Jason goodness he doesn't get the common things. He likes to test these doctors and push them to their limits. Good value for our medical aids money he he he.
So little man is sleeping peacefully now. It was great to see him happy this afternoon and back to his old self. But as one of the nurses reminded me that I mustn't get too excited as Jason can change quickly. True, very true he has done this many times. Feels like a bit of dejavu at the moment watching the other patients coming and going, chatting to the nurses, making myself at home. Hmmm not going to get too comfortable here. I need to get back to work and earn some money.
Please remember Jason in your prayers and prayer groups. We really need him to turn the corner and be healthy in order for him to want to eat. As long as he is sick like this all the time he isn't going to want to eat. I know in my heart that when Jason is well and healthy he will begin to eat. This is my motherly instinct again :-)