Pray for Nathan

This brave fellow goes to my church. My thoughts return to him and his family constantly. Please pray for him.

Nathan
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Wed 6 pm - consensus leaning towards biopsy w/in day or two if definitive cause not found through cultures, tests (so far nothing). EEG indicates on-going minor seizures (increasing his medicine for this and this should resolve if the lesions do).

Nathan's diagnosis is Neuroblastoma (abdomen, stage IV).

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble."


We continue to be overwhelmed with your care and prayers for Nathan. [FOR SHORT VERSION SKIP TO NEXT PARAGRAPH] As of noon today, no tests on the cerebral spinal fluid have come back positive for any bacteria or fungus. No viral tests on his blood drawn Sunday have come back positive for anything either. Infectious disease doctor is on the trail of some positive cultures he had at the start of his 18 day fever from last transplant. Based on initial spinal fluid results, neurologist (Dr. Puri, a very helpful and well thought of doctor) thinks the infection has localized to his brain and we may not learn anything without a biopsy. Dr. Raj (our attending physician we like a lot) concurs with Dr. Puri that we probably need a cause identified by around the end of the week or a biopsy of one of the lesions may need to be done (3 of the lesions are near the surface of the brain and are possibilities for biopsy). Neurosurgeon is coming back to see us this afternoon. Nathan had an EEG done this morning. Neurologist is suspect of a seizure-like episode he had last week. Three pediatric cardiologists and an echotech were all in his room at one time yesterday investigating some possible abnormalities with the placement of the tip of his central line yesterday (all turned out fine but they really stopped the show till correct placement was confirmed, all stemming from the echo that was investigating possible infections in his heart). Angie is our nurse today and she is great. We were pleasantly suprised when she walked in this morning. She knows Nathan very well which is very good for him and us.

Consensus is we need to identify a source/cause, and the best way is for one of the cultures to tell us so no biopsy would be necessary. In the mean time the main medicine for fungal infection of brain is underway with Nathan as of last night. He possibly spiked a fever because of it but we were pretty pleased with his response to the drug (Amphotericin B, aka the shake and bake drug [it tends to cause high fever and rigors {shaking} and aka ‘amphoterrible’). Nathan is not talking, not moving very well, there are some problems with his vision, neurologically he continues to check out OK, he is in some level of physical pain when he has to move/be moved – BUT – he continues to have some of the best sugar on the planet. He has one command from his parents. He is to keep his eyes on us no matter what happens. If he can't see us he is to remember/think about us. Amanda and I are tired but fine. We totally trust our 5 Ped Hem/Onc (Pediatric Hematology/Oncology) doctors, but we have assured them they are completely free to focus on our little man and to not worry about us. Our strength comes from the Lord who is in charge of this whole situation anyway. God has heard our prayers, and we are at peace knowing his perfect will is being done in our lives. And also, only the Lord's shadow need fall on Nathan, and he will be fully restored. We really appreciate all your prayers.