day 6

Today is our sixth day in the hospital, and for the next two days we will be waiting to have the biopsy done on the mass in Hudson's stomach. The Infectious Disease professional here at the hosptial wanted to contact the main CDC office in Atlanta to inquire about the white blood cells they found in the extra fluid drained from Hudson's stomach (they drained 850ml - almost a liter). They determined that it could possibly be the Echinococcus parasite, and that if we cut into the mass we were risking aphalaptic shock and possibly death. They actually requested a sample of Hudson's blood also to research it! Though it's very rare and a small chance that he may have it, he is showing enough of the symptons that we want to play it safe.

So this morning we began treatment on the parasite issue, and i guess after two or three doses it will be safe to cut into the mass and get a biopsy. That is scheduled for Monday morning, with one of the best laproscopic surgeons in the county - literally. In the mean time, Hudson's pancreas is getting better, and he acutally ate a little apple sauce with a little apple juice this morning! (that's how they have to give the medicine for the parasite). He did well with it, and after a couple more doses we will be VERY ready to find out what this mass is!

It seems strange that 6 days ago we hesitantly went to the ER after talking to the doc about his behavior (vomitting, not eating or drinking, stomach pain), and here we are with a rare condition that has doctors throughout this children's hospital baffled. Today has been very rough for me, due to the fact that Hudson is seeming more like himself, playing more, etc. but we are probably only half way through this whole thing, and we still don't know what is going on in his stomach. The doctors have been great, and we are doing our best to keep Hudson occupied in these four walls. I'm scared for the surgery in a couple days, but ready to get whatever it is out of there so we can go home.

There are many lessons and things to take away from this experience, and I think andy and I are already identifying ways we want to change once this is all over. In the mean time, we continue to pray for God's quick healing, skill and expertise with the doctors, patience and strength. We don't know why this is happening to our family, but we are sure that we will learn something from it, grow closer becaues of it, and give back to others who may go through something similar in the future.