I need a break...

I am with my daughter and her family. Drew had a splenic embolization to try to kill part of his spleen. It has been a rough week for them. Poor Drew has felt so bad. They said a full splenetomy would have been easier on him. When I was in the hospital on Wednesday, he wouldn't talk at all, except to express displeasure. By Thursday, he was doing some better. He would at least listen to a story. By evening, he would laugh at Toy Story and talk a bit.

Poor Lori. Drew wants him by her side at all times. He doesn't even want her to leave to put on her contacts or take a shower. She has barely left his side for an entire week. They sleep in the same twin bed, cheek to cheek. She must be exhausted.

It appears the procedure is not going to be the magic bullet we hoped for. His counts are still not good. His platelets are so low they are transfusing him. His hemaglobin is also dropping. While they expected low platelets for a while, at this point in time they thought his body would have recovered - as the effects on blood counts of a dying spleen should be immediate. The hematologist figures the spleen that remains is eating everything it gets. Drew seems to be recovering from the procedure - it just didn't accomplish what they hoped it would.

Tough news.

They thought they would be coming home today, but now it looks like it could be a while. They are considering a full splenectomy - but maybe the liver is getting involved in the destruction as well.


Since Drew was feeling better, Lori allowed Kram to replace her at the hospital for the day yesterday. As she explained to Drew that she was going home for a while because she needed a break, Drew said, "I NEED a break. I NEED to go home."

Poor little guy. He does need a break!