Saturday, December 31, 2011

Days 60-64

Day 60: Tuesday, December 27, 2011- Anxiety and tears have set in. Dr. Premkamur transitioned out yesterday and said goodbye to R when I was at the milk bank. Just now Dr. Keaney called and gave me an update and said goodbye. I had to swallow down the lump in my throat. I am so sad. I HATE goodbyes more than anything in this world. I don't think of these doctors as doctors, they are our friends. We see them and the nurses, and the hospital for that matter, more than we see family or friends.

They decided to play with Walker today. He's on room air and using the tube like a CPAP. They are going to try to extubate him today. I'm not telling anyone. If we show up and you are, what a surprise for Daddy!

He was surprised! You are on CPAP! You are doing well too! So happy! The nasal plugs came out and you were holding up pretty well by yourself. I'm so proud of you little bird.

Surgery is talking about starting feeds tomorrow, Daddy isn't so sure about that. He thinks it seems too early or too fast.











Day 61: Wednesday, December 28, 2011- Happy 2 month birthday, Walker! Like your new monthly ties? So cute, buddy!




Walkie Talkie, you are SO loved! Today Auntie Jenn came to see you while in town from Colorado. She brought you some cute clothes too and a little bracelet with your name on it. Andy came to meet you also. He brought you a Texans football and Astros bib, pacifier and bottle.



You are doing very well on CPAP. Tonight at 6 pm, you will get your first feeding since surgery. I think his last feeding was 10 cc about a month ago. That's right, folks, Walker is starting feeds again. Prayers, prayers and more prayers.

Walker still loves his paci and I think he is so happy to have it back! Dr. Dariya rounded with the new doctor, Dr. Rhee, and the rest of the group. Dr. Dariya was SO excited that you were doing so well on CPAP and told me about starting feeds. I'm going to miss him. He is the last go from the group. Tomorrow is his last day.





I decided to forgo holding you tonight and let Daddy. He was SO excited! His heart was racing, he said. He was really nervous and when Nurse Esther asked if he was comfortable he said, "I don't know I've never held a baby before. Am I doing it right?" He has held a baby but he was just so nervous! You loved it too! You fell asleep and when we put you back in your bed, you didn't even mind the lights being turned on. You love us and we love you!






Day 62: Thursday, December 29, 2011- You are doing very well, my little bird. Aunt Julie and Aunt Judy came to see you and to their surprise, Daddy was holding you again. No changes, you are taking your feeds as they come. Sometimes they have to skip a feed and re-feed what was left in your stomach, but the good news there is that it looks slightly digested. You just need a little bit more time and by the next feed, you are ready for some more! SO PROUD OF YOU!

Yesterday, the surgeons came to stitch up the stoma since you are passing stool through a "man-made" hole fine. Nurse Courtney said that they were digging and taking out stitches in your incisions and really messing with you today. You got a nice dose of morphine to relax you. Thankfully you had a nurse there that you like, since Mommy wasn't able to come up during the day.

You looked really yellow today. I'm not sure if that's from the Omegaven or your liver but I will be checking on that tomorrow.

Day 63: Friday, December 30, 2011- Happy 9 week birthday! You are 34 weeks GA (GA= gestation age, have I told you that?)



At 6 pm they started feeds of 8 cc. Crossing our fingers, toes, eyes and anything else we can cross, that all goes well. We need to plump you up!

Mommy had a field day shopping for you. It's a little hard because preemie is too small at the moment and you can't even wear clothes. I don't know when you will be able to. Maybe after surgery to reconnect, but even then the surgeons need access to your wound area. Patience Momma, patience.

Anyways, I went out and bought you a couple of things to put in your closet. All newborn because you will be in that for a while, we are assuming. I do have to say that you might be the best dressed little boy.

Look at this picture Aunt Julie sent me.


It's safe to say, YOU LOOK JUST LIKE DADDY! I can't wait for you to get bigger so we can compare this picture to you.

No residuals after your first 8 cc, so you got another 8 at 9 pm.






Day 64: Saturday, December 31, 2011- Mommy was concerned that you are losing weight at a pretty rapid pace. Last night you were 1480 grams, which is 3 pounds, barely an ounce. I had your nurse ask the doctors today and they aren't extremely worried at the moment and have decided to increase your feeds to 10 cc.

They've decided to put your feeds on a pump that goes for 30 minutes to see if that helps you digest the whole thing easier. At 6 o'clock you didn't have any residuals. You just need time. Everyone is in a rush. Not us sweet pea. Whenever you are ready.

Mommy is particularly upset tonight. This is the first night in your 64 days of life that we have been a part. I'm sick. Daddy's sick. You have your Nana, Papa, Uncle P and Great Grandparents to blame for that. That house is constantly filled with someone who is sick. Mommy is so sad to not see you. Don't worry though, I'm making Daddy call regularly to check up on you. Mommy barely has a voice. 

Monday, December 26, 2011

Days 55-59

Day 55: December 22, 2011: Last night you had two doses of morphine. You are not a very happy camper. Everything else with you is fine. I just think you are tired of the breathing tube, which is understandable. Nurse Courtney let you suck on her finger today and you really enjoyed that.

How am I forgetting this? Dr. Arnold stopped by with the camera crew when you were desating. You keep moving your breathing tube either too far down or pushing it up. Patience my little one, patience. Everyone thinks you are the cutest thing with your little Santa hat on. Tonight, you were pulling it down over your eyes and getting upset when Mommy would pull it off.


You had a HUGE stack of letters from all of your friends! And then when Mommy went to pump, she came back to even MORE letters! You are so loved! Even the nurses were fighting over who's baby you were!

Day 56: December 23, 2011: Happy 7th week birthday, Walker!

Tonight we celebrated Christmas with Aunt Julie and Uncle Tim. Mommy and Daddy got Love You Forever with a sweet note in the inside. Daddy bought that for NeNe and she would read it to him and cry each time. Tonight when he read it to you I was surprised he was doing so well keeping it together. When the son holds his sick mother, he stopped and got choked up. I don't think he ever thought he would love you THIS much. You are so very special to us.


Tonight we learned that Walker is pooping..YAY.. but that it's not coming out of the stoma. It's coming out before and they think that there's a hole. They are going to follow up with Dr. Naik  tomorrow and see what she says. I really hope she doesn't ruin my birthday and say you need surgery again. You are doing so well.


Day 57: December 24, 2011: Mommy's 27th birthday! Papa's 60th birthday too!


Papa is 60!






Day 58: December 25, 2011: Merry Christmas, Walker! Someone was a very good little boy these past 2 months! You got so many presents from the people who love you! You got: books, toys, blankets and clothes.






Day 59: December 26, 2011: Well sweet thing, the talk about extubating you today is now over. They aren't. You started to have some Brady's before they got there and they want you a 100%. They think it's the position of the tube and not you, so that's positive. I think that too, but was silently hopeful that today would be the day. I cried in the milk bank after finding out the news.

Dr. Pemkamur transitions to research tomorrow and in steps your new doctor, Dr. Rhee.

Mommy's anxiety has fully arrived. All your doctors are leaving us and I'm finding it hard to breathe.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Days 50-54

These pictures were taken last week and I had full intentions of using them for our Christmas cards, but time got away from me and no Christmas cards this year...again!






Day 50: December 17, 2011- Walker is off his blood pressure medicine completely and his urine output is looking good. Hopefully he can keep it up. His fentanyl was lowered to 3 mcg, we started at 5 after surgery. Slowly but surely. Today he was a little more swollen compared to yesterday, but he's still the sweetest thing!
Starting to be more active. Holding Mommy's hand. His hands are identical to R's. Even the nail beds.


Day 51: December 18, 2011- Walker was so alert today. When we arrived his eyes were wide open and I got some really great pictures. His fentanyl, pain medicine, is at 2 mcg. Pretty soon he will be off! They gave him Lasix to help with the swelling and his urine output is really good. He's still pretty swollen but he looks better. 1 antibiotic is going and they will assess tomorrow when they want to stop or start a new one.
"Mommy! You're here!"

"No big deal, I'm Mr. Cool!"

"You're going to sing a song?"

"Do I like Twinkle, Twinkle?"

"Oh yeah, I love this song"

"Twinkle, Twinkle, again I demand!"

A really nice nurse secretary came by and asked if she could make Walker a sign. So happy!


Day 52: December 19, 2011- Walker was so cute tonight. He was showing us that not only has he grown but so has his little tongue! He was sticking it out and showing us. He still loves his fingers and I'm sure he can't wait to get a paci. His fentanyl was lowered to 1 mcg and hydro cortisone was discontinued. The bacteria that was found in Walker's belly was serratia. I googled it and found out that it could be deadly.

When we arrived there was a goodie bag to Walker and Mommy. Inside was a crocheted pair of booties and beanie. Can't wait to put those on him! A stocking, beanie baby, Bible, a charm in the shape of a baby boy with his birthstone in the middle, and a heart. All this was donated by the W.E.L.C.O.M.E Baby Ministry from First Baptist Church Pearland. W.E.L.C.O.M.E. stands for = Welcoming Every Little Child is Our Ministry's Endeavor. On the note in the bag it states, "W.E.L.C.O.M.E. was founded as a direct result of one mom's NICU experience with the loss of premature twins and later, a premature survivor."

They are great people in this big world. Some that are closer than we think.

Thank you FBCP! And Nurse Stacie from the previous hospital, whom I also went to high school with, has been such an amazing friend. I think Walker has won her heart! She arranged for us to get this care package and also has bought Walker a little something.

Today is your Aunt Megan's 28th birthday. I know she is your angel and is always with you. She gives you strength when you need it and comforts you when Mommy and Daddy aren't there. If she were here today, she would love you probably as much as Mommy does. She was an amazing friend and an overall great person. I've never seen anyone fight like her, well, until you.

Day 53: December 20, 2011- Walker had visitors tonight. Aunt Julie and Uncle Tim stopped by to see our Little Bird! Of course, Walker was sleeping. He started waking up just as they left. He's such a funny baby!

Today we had poop! That is such good news! He had poop in his colostomy bag, which means things are moving and working properly.

Walker's arterial line was removed today as well! That means that they don't need to monitor his blood pressure constantly. Little milestones!

They were also able to lower his vent settings. Pressures are 30 over 6. I have complete faith that with the swelling going down that he will be on CPAP in no time!

Walker weighed 4 pounds and half an ounce the day before yesterday, with Lasix, he was able to pee out most of the fluids and weighs 3 pounds 8 ounces.




Acting like a funny bunny!

Stretching!



Smiling at Mommy and Daddy!


Day 54: December 21, 2011-Walker had a good day today. No changes at all. We LOVE his Nurse, Courtney. He's a little flirt and when he hears her voice, he smiles!
Walker's little Santa hat that was a donation! 
I forgot to add this tidbit, the other day I posted this link: http://www.texaschildrens.org/parents/patientgreeting/default.aspx

You can write a little note to Walker and it's sent to his bed side. He had 6 letters today! They were all so sweet and made me teary eyed. He is such a loved little boy and we can't wait to share him with all of you!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Days 45-49

Day 45: December 12, 2011- Walker was scheduled to have his exploratory surgery today and as R and I were on our way the doctor called and said they were going to give him more time. They wanted to try an antibiotic to see how things go and we would wait for 2-3 days. Perfect! We arrived to the hospital in good spirits. Walker's in an open warmer and has been desating, we thought it was all the noise and the new bed he didn't like. They came in and bagged him to see what pressure he would need. They upped his pressure once. Then the desating happened again. Turned him up. All the way to 30 over 7. When he arrived at TCH, it was at the highest at 34 over something. They ordered a blood gas and also are doing a blood culture to check for infection. I'm sitting on the couch reluctant to call. I know what they are going to say. When we left he was already getting started on three antibiotics.

Walker is also taking part in a study for Omegaven. It is a fish oil based lipids that is better for the liver. Oh, did I mention that Walker's liver is sick also? Mildly so. Being on TPN, which keeps him alive, does damage to a person's liver if kept on too long. TCH's Dr. Abrams, along with Dr. Puder from Boston, have started a study in the states using Omegaven. Supposedly it does wonders for the liver.

We went for some retail therapy after the roller coaster day we had. 

Walker's stocking to put on his bed.

  Cloud B Giraffe on the go. He has a Velcro hook that we plan to keep on his bedside and when he goes into a crib. It plays soothing music and has a timer.


Day 46: December 13, 2011- Well, sweet baby. We arrived to your bedside to find your tummy VERY swollen, red and shiny; which is not a good sign. Surgery was inevitable. We waited and waited and waited. Finally at 12:30 am you went in and didn't come out until 4:30. Mommy, Daddy, Nana, Aunt Sissy and Aunt Julie were all waiting for you.
He had two holes, one at the bottom of the stomach and was easily reconnected with stitches. The second hole was by the colon and had to be removed. 8 centimeters to be exact. He has a colostomy; something we prayed he wouldn't need. Time will tell and they think he will get pretty sick in the next couple days while his body heals. He'll have another surgery in 6-8 weeks to removed the colostomy bag and reconnect his colon and intestines.
They have speculation that Walker did indeed have NEC at the other hospital that went unnoticed. 
They've prepared us that when we come tomorrow that he will be very swollen for a couple of days and he is expected to be very sick. 
We know that this is what he needed because after surgery his tummy was very flat and he looked like a baby, with a big incision. You could tell that he was uncomfortable. We are hoping that this is the start of Walker improving and progressing in the way he should. There are still possible complications from the surgery. 
Getting bagged for the ride to the OR.

Reaching the OR doors

Going in


There he goes

 


Day 47: December 14, 2011- Today sucked. Walker is on blood pressure medicine, pain medicine, more blood transfusions (yes, that's correct. Plural as in more than one. I believe 3 since surgery). It was really hard to see him. Hopefully these next couple of days go by fast because I hate seeing him like this.



Day 48: December 15, 2011- Walker was taken off of the blood pressure medicines. His blood pressure is doing well and they may be able to lower his dosage a little tomorrow. His vent settings are good and as of 10 pm tonight, his blood gas came back pretty good. His nurse thought they may lower his settings. Walker looked really good tonight. He opened his eyes and gave a half smile when I talked to him.

The saddest thing for R and I is you can really tell that he was in pain from his stomach. He just looks relieved and is acting like he does feel better. We are praying for his recovery to be fast and exactly what it is supposed to do.

My sweet angel baby.


Day 49: December 16, 2011- Happy 7 week birthday, Walker!

Walker is making little strides daily. Today he was weened off two of the three antibiotics and was also weened down to a very small dose of his blood pressure medicine. He was smiling and opening his eyes when R and I would talk to him. He is the sweetest little baby and his nurse today confirmed that before we even said it! His tummy looks really good compared to the previous days. The veins are not as prominent as they were. He is still sick and his intestines are healing.

We're just praying for a speedy but complete recovery with little to no complications.

Covering his eyes while Nurse Kristen assesses.

Daddy thought this was funny!

I'm 32 weeks GA and 7 weeks old!

R at the Christmas decorations.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Days 40-44

Day 40: December 7, 2011- Walker's dopamine dosage was dropped from 20 to 17.5 and his vent settings are pretty low. The pressure is 24 over 6. Supposedly one of the bugs that grew inside of Walker has a tendency to aggravate the stomach. As soon as he is on a lower dosage to completely off of dopamine, we will start feeds.

Walker was seen by the pediatric ophthalmologist.We are waiting to hear what he has to say.
Look what Krista made Walker! Can't wait to take his picture in this!


Day 41: December 8, 2011- Man I'm stressed out. Walker is fine. His stomach is funny and I just wish it would hurry up and heal or get better or whatever is happening with it, would stop. My anxiety/stress is so bad that I've scratched my legs and stomach all up. We are so ready for this kid to catch a break.

Day 42: December 9, 2011- Happy 6 week birthday, Walker!They lowered your dopamine to 10 and you aren't really having it. By the time we get back up there tonight I'm sure they will have raised your dosage. You have developed the jaundice that is effecting your liver. The doctors have suggested a new drug that is not approved by the FDA but that TCH has been using for 4-5 years and has had great results. I just don't know why God would do this to you or to us.

Day 43: December 10, 2011- Walker's dopamine was raised and then lowered. They mentioned an exploratory surgery to look at his intestines and see if there's an obstruction, rupture, or blockage. His stomach is distended and although they thought that his belly was basically sleeping, they x-rays haven't changed and they want to investigate further. When the surgeon walked in to discuss the procedure I felt like going around the room and punching her, the nurse, my mom and R because I was so upset. They keep mentioning that after surgery that he will get really sick and I hate that. I know they are preparing us but it's still aggravating.  And they I started thinking about Grey's anatomy and wondering if she was surgeon like Christina; a hungry surgeon ready to operate on anyone. We stayed the night at the Ronald McDonald House inside of TCH so we could be there in the morning.


Day 44: December 11, 2011- Horrible nights rest! I woke up every hour because I was afraid I was going to over sleep. Even with two alarms set. There was no precise time set but sometime between 7 am and noon. We waited, waited and waited. Walker was receiving blood and the catheter slipped out of place and his arm began swelling up.

I'm delirious. Anyways, Walker is set up to have surgery tomorrow. Worst case scenario they'll take out the blockage, bring one part of the intestines to opening of the stomach and connect the other to a stoma. He'll be on TPN longer and there's so many complications like feed intolerance and not being able to absorb nutrients.

So basically, it all sucks. My poor baby didn't ask for any of this and it's sad. R keeps saying, "He doesn't know any different, H. This has been his life since birth and he doesn't know any different.". I'm not sure how that's comforting but he tries. Love R.






Thursday, December 8, 2011

Six Week Check Up

Today I went for my six week check up. Um, that kind of hurt!

Anyways, I lost a total of 11 pounds. None of which was baby weight because I only gained 2 pounds total while pregnant. Nurse Maryanne came in the room and started to ask questions about what happened and all the details. And then finally said with an nervous look, "I'm sorry I have to ask, did he make it?". I think I gave her an insulted look and said, "Of course he made it!". I'm so proud of Walker! We went on with the appointment and she was eager to ask questions, I told her he is weighing 3 pounds 4 ounces and she was amazed. Walking into his office they asked if I had any pictures and I showed them some I had on my camera. They loved all his hair. I've been so busy that I forgot to send the edible bouquet we had planned to send to the office. And now I'll need to send some pictures also.

Dr. Milner and I discussed birth control and R and I had already discussed it also. There's no way I'm having plastic implanted inside of me, so the IUD was out. The other two choices were the shot and then protective sex. The thing about birth control and me is this: there isn't a reason for me to be on it. Yes, to have a monthly period but I don't ovulate on my own which is the key concept to getting pregnant. It took a lot, but not as much as other people do, but it did take a lot to get pregnant in the first place, so I think we are okay. Plus, we both are tired and mentally exhausted, that when it's time for bed, that means sleep. Another thing is that when I had stopped birth control, it took a good 3 months for my body to feel like me again. I can tell a huge difference between the way my body is on and off birth control. I like it without. R and I know we want more kids but our main focus right now is Walker.

So all you mean, ugly people who are reading this and thinking to yourself, "She'll be pregnant in three months tops", go on with your rude self!

Dr. Milner seemed to be real beat up about my pregnancy. I asked questions about next time if I would be high risk and he said no but he would monitor me closely. The same results came in that my placenta tested positive for a severe infection. There's no real reason. All my other tests from pregnancy came back all clean, it was just a fluke. If it had to happen to someone, it was going to me!

Overall it was a good appointment.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Days 35-39

Day 35: December 2, 2011- Happy 5 week birthday, Walker! Walker had an ECHO of his heart yesterday and the cardiologist said that his PDA is large. We'll get to that at a later date. The infection is what we are working first and foremost. 

So, the previous hospital took a culture to grow the bacteria in Walker's blood. They told TCH on the 1st that the man in charge was only working from 8-8 and wasn't in and to call the next day. TCH called shortly after 8 and a they have a policy of keeping it for 48-72 hours, so hopefully it will come within the next few days. They are calling for the sensitivity report on the bacteria, to determine which antibiotics will kill it. He is still on antibiotics but they want to make sure they have the right ones. As of last night, they decided to bring in the infectious disease team to analyze Walker and make their own predictions. Walker is now on three antibiotics that they think will work until they get the sensitivity report. 

They also took out the PICC line because he was still testing positive for an infection at TCH and PICC lines are easily infected. He's oxygen was lowered to 28% and as soon as we get rid of this infection, hopefully we can lower the pressure. He seems to be doing better this evening compared to when I came in the morning. He's moving around and opening his eyes unlike the lethargic Walker we were seeing.

R had an absolute fabulous time shopping online for Walker. He picked out outfits from Carter's all by himself during the cyber sales. He didn't even call to ask for sizes. Some of the outfits might never get worn and I've already asked if we could take them back for the correct sizes in which R's response was, "I'll cut the sleeves and legs off if it's too hot". I don't think so, honey.
A man standing on a bridge holding a sign that says, "Jesus loves you" while waving to drivers. I needed this reminder.

Walker is so advanced at sign language. His ugly and mean IV.

Love you too, Little Bird!

Daddy picked this out just for me!


Day 36: December 3, 2011- Walker's baby shower was today. He got so much stuff! Auntie Amber hand painted his letters to match his bedding in his room! They are beautiful! I can't wait for R to hang them. He also got a lot of monogrammed stuff and Momma LOVES things with her name on it and I know he will too!

Walker's PICC line was removed due to it being infected. The infectious disease team came by again and were asking R questions, I was at home getting dressed for the shower. His tummy is funny. They are still concerned and don't have any definite answers. They are stilling watching him for NEC, but is still not showing signs. Thank you Lord!

Walker had his first bath since arriving and as much as he didn't like it, we know he felt a lot better and went to sleep pretty fast after.

Surprisingly, Walker is requiring very little oxygen. Actually, he's at 28% at the highest. They are working on weening him off the pressure. At the previous hospital they were saying that Walker needed to be transferred to an oscillator which they did not have. That was not the case when arriving at TCH.

Right now Walker is showing more characteristics from his Daddy, what did he get from me? Difficult, deep veins. :( Poor baby!

Birth cloths and towel

My little bird!

After the bath. His hair is falling out from sleeping on his left side. It's already growing back though.
Walker's letters laying in his bed. Don't they look great?!

Day 37: December 4, 2011-
R and I got a room at the Ronald McDonald house so we could spend the night close to him. There are two Ronald McDonald houses. One on Holcombe that is the BIG house and then rooms within TCH. Our window was directly across from Walker's.

No big changes for Walker today. They are keeping everything the same and letting him  have a day of rest. Tomorrow they are thinking of stopping one of the three antibiotics, but they'll discuss that tomorrow. 
View from our room.
View from Walker's room.

 "They thought they would be sneaky and try to tape my thumb, but I broke free so I could suck my thumb!"

"Miss Emily gave me this Precious Moments prayer baby. He's now my bed mate!"
"Daddy thought it would be funny to lay him on me. I grabbed him and started to snuggle with him"
Day 38: December 5, 2011- No real changes with Walker, which is good. They are weening him a little more on the vent. The ID team wants to keep him on the three antibiotics for a couple more days and then they'll talk about taking him off one if not two of them. They seem to be working. They are still keeping a close eye on his belly. It's still pretty big. He had some fluids today. They were able to lower the dosage of dopamine but nothing drastic.

When we got there, Walker was so happy to see us. He even gave me a half smile! He was wide awake with his eyes wide opened and looking around.

Miss Emily, who is a NICU nurse at a hospital near by, gave Walker some really good presents at his shower. She gave receiving blankets that the nurses can use to make his bed when he's better and a matching blanket to cover his bed with. She also gave him the Precious Moments praying baby and these disposable cameras to leave at his bed side. I left a little note so the nurses know to take pictures of Walker when we are there.

We walked my parents out and then went to the milk bank to pump. When we got there someone donated little crocheted beanies and ornaments we could write Walker's name on and hang on their Christmas tree. We were so excited and happy!

I think I forgot to mention that they found two different bugs growing and removed his PICC line, which was infected. The PICC line is a central line and is used instead of sticking Walker in multiple places. When we went back to his room, they noticed that the two IVs they have in both arms had blocked off and Walker's left arm was really swollen. The right arm was showing signs of blockage in a small area. They immediately called in some who is really good at putting in lines. (Clearly, I forgot the name of his job). They were able to find a good vein in his head again. They decided to give him some sedation because they were going to put in another PICC line.

Walker's pressure was lowered again today. He's still on about 25-28% oxygen and 26 on the pressure. 

When is the easy train going to pull through Walker-ville? Because we are ready to jump aboard. 


Day 39: December 6, 2011-
We pulled down one of the $5 trees we bought from WalMart the day after Christmas last year. We aren't fake tree people but with our circumstances of always being back and forth between places, we decided this year we would use one of them as our main tree.


Walker's blood count was low so they called for confirmation for giving him a blood transfusion and also platelets. The ID team came in and said that he can be taken off two of the three antibiotics, so that's a good thing. He has had one culture come back negative and needs two more to be taken off antibiotics completely. They are thinking by the 12th that he will be completely off.

Last night they had to shave areas of Walker's scalp to try and find a vein. My poor baby looks like an 80's rocker with his new do. I want to cry. You can really tell how much hair he had. They should've just shaved it all. I'm sorry but it's the little things that upset me, along with the major things.


 Do they look alike or what?