Two Nights 10/11/23

 Justin only spent 2 nights in the hospital this time. It seems like forever, yet not that long. For all of us, including Justin, it started out feeling like a repeat of the trauma that sent us there in the first place.

I'm sorry for any repeats, but I'm just going to try to cover everything.

Justin had a fever on Sunday afternoon. After a dose of Tylenol that did not reduce the fever, the plan was to go to ER at Primary. They admitted him and confirmed we did the right thing.

The doctors ordered all the tests. They did blood work, ultrasound of his neck (which was actually scheduled for Monday, post-surgery follow-up), and also scheduled the MRI for Monday (a week early, post-surgery MRI follow-up). They also decided to admit him for overnight observation and put him on antibiotics to get a head start on any infection.

Incidentally, a friend of his from elementary, middle, high school and soccer was there with his little brother, who is FINE! yea!

Monday morning Justin still had fever, chills and stomach ache. We waited for the MRI and the doctors continued to look at the other things that could be wrong. He was tested for a variety of viruses and also c-diff, a stomach "aliment".

It's all a blur, and we spent too much time in the hospital, yet again. However.

MRI showed no new brain infection. Brain is continuing to heal. Swelling reducing. Infection in the same location as pre-surgery, and shrinking. No blood clot in the brain. Mystery spot from September MRI was gone. What?

They did a CT scan to look at the bones, and no infection, bones looked good.

Ultrasound of the neck showed the blood clot is gone.

After the MRI they saw pockets in the sinus cavity and thought sinus infection, treat with antibiotics.

Tuesday. They don't think it's sinus infection, just goo, gunk, stuff and nonsense. Also the issues with the stomach were determined not to be c-diff. Maybe reaction to antibiotics? Or a virus he's fighting?

Infectious Disease docs cleared him, Neuro Surgeons cleared him. Still watching stomach issues or any weird brain reactions. Talk of going home? Waiting for ENT team. They decide it's not sinus infection, just stuff and nonsense. Flush it! 🚽Doctor says go home, antibiotics? We said no need. Vamos a la casa!

It really was assuring to hear that the brain looks good. Justin said he was worried. He had no fevers or stomach pain since Monday morning and they sent him home Tuesday night. We'll keep watching stomach stuff and of course fevers. He has been feeling good! We went and watched his team play in the rain today. ☔

Today was a normal post-surgery follow-up with neuro doctor. His brain looks good. She is taking him off of anti-coagulant with no more clots. She is weaning off of anti-seizure by the end of October. The bad news, as Justin put it, he can't drive for 3 more months after that.

However, neuro doc cleared him to play freaking soccer! 3 days after stopping anti-coagulant, which coincides with some games for State Cup tournament next week! I couldn't believe it! After all the "no's" to have a "yes"!

Praise God, from Whom all blessing flow! 

It was so hard to go back to the hospital and wonder, what now? We thought we were done. Planning for the future. Moving on. However... here we are. Yet again, Blessed!

Thank you all of you for all of your support! I literally could not pray another prayer while in the hospital this week, but I knew you were praying for us. 💖