A Little Something Extra

Monday, October 6, 2008

Slow day

Micah seems to be feeling better today. He issued a number of smiles (including at his aunt, uncle, and cousins who were here visiting from Georgia). He seemed to be less comfortable in the afternoon.

Because it's Monday, that means we have a new GI doctor on service. We didn't see him until 4:30 this afternoon. In a nutshell, he ordered another belly x-ray. This was, apparently, "unremarkable." Sadly, he didn't come by again after those results came in. And he didn't put anything in Micah's chart about what to do if his x-ray didn't appear to show anything significant. So the rate of Micah's feeding has not increased in 24 hours. We basically gave an entire day to Children's Hospital today. I'm glad to have a new set of eyes trying to figure out what's wrong with him. But I don't want to repeat a bunch of tests without making forward progress either. I can't write any more about it without fuming so I'll stop here.

Down syndrome fact of the day: Individuals with Down syndrome are 15-20 times more likely to develop leukemia than individuals without an extra chromosome. Scary.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't know what to say....I can't imagine in this day and age that they can't get things straight. As much as doctors know, why is everything so complicated?! It seems that you are frustrated, but you have every right to be!!! Hang in there and I will pray for you. (and Micah, of course)

Anonymous said...

However, kids with Down syndrome also have a much higher CURE rate for leukemia. They also have a much lower rate of other cancers. For example there is only 6 cases of lymphoma in people with Down syndrome... in the last 30 years. They very rarely get anything other than leukemia. When they do get leukemia they respond better to the medication. There is something on the 21st chromosome that helps them fight cancer. Researchers are looking at people with Down syndrome to find the cure for cancer. So while they have more of a risk of GETTING leukemia, far more of them BEAT it than typical kids. 90% for typical kids vs 98% with kids with DS for ALL... and 85% for typical kids vs 95% for kids with DS for AML. I think it's a trade off that's worth it. :) More likely to get it, but also more likely to beat it. Not to mention, helping find the cure for cancer.

Jean said...

I'm so sorry that Micah and your family have to go through this. I pray for an answer to Micahs digestion issues.
This is your place to vent and say what you want. I can't imagine what your going through and only hope that God guides Micahs doctors in the right direction.