Sunday, April 18, 2010

Update

William is looking very well! I only have a sec to update so I'll just give the low-down.

To look at him, you can't even tell he is sick. However, his lungs sound gross and his x-ray looks terrible! The doctor and the nurse were both very surprised when they saw the x-ray. It is hard to believe it is that bad when you see this happy-go-lucky child. The respiratory therapist was amazed at how good natured he is and how he just takes it all in. Anyway, here's what we know:
Cardiac size is normal. Both lungs are hyperinflated. Pneumonia appears in the right mid lobe, along with what appears to be old pneumonia scarring throughout. Opacity (dark spot) in the right lobe which they believe represents chronic atelectasis. The crude explanation of this is that it is a blockage in the bronchioles which prevents air from getting down to the alveoli, which causes the alveoli to collapse. He also has a chronic post obstructive change.
William is responding well to treatment. I believe the IV fluids are a great benefit to him right now. He is also on an antibiotic and steriod through IV and another antibiotic orally. Unfortunately the two conditions do not respond to the same types of antibiotics. They will remove the IV around 2am and begin the 2nd antibiotic orally. If he continues to thrive off of the IV, they will possibly let him come home tomorrow. They are also going to try to run the sweat chloride test tomorrow instead of Tuesday. We will have some other testing later on if that comes back negative. Apparently there are a few issues that could result in these types of symptoms. So I guess the testing is back on...

"This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.'" Isaiah 48:17