We Love Blood Donors

We're back at U of M. Grant developed a fever yesterday, so we went to Beaumont and they transported us to Ann Arbor.

So, the bad news is that Grant has been having difficulties.
The good news is that they have identified the causes:
1. Anemia (low on red blood cells)
2. Virus (his 2nd one in two weeks)

It is also good news that the anemia and virus are not heart-related issues.
But the bad news is that they do negatively affect his heart.

But the good news is that they think they have a solution!

Well, there is no solution to the virus but to let it run it course and to make sure Grant stays hydrated via an IV (he hasn't been able to handle his feedings). So this is fine and he already appears much better today than yesterday.

The anemia is normal for a newborn his age, but Grant doesn't have the reserves to handle it. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the body...so when the body is anemic it compensates by pumping the heart harder. Ah, therein lies the rub--Grant's heart already works too hard, so the whole thing is too much for him to handle well. So they are doing a blood transfusion this morning. This will flush his body with the red blood cells he needs and will literally give him breathing room to heal. They believe his body will then be able to begin producing enough of his own red blood cells over the next few weeks.

They are optimistic that the transfusion will help him fight off the virus and dramatically improve his strength. So if this works as the believe and hope, Grant could very well begin to steadily improve without any more of these setbacks we've been experiencing.

Please pray that:
1. The blood he receives is not infected or contaminated in any way (estimated 1 in 30,000 have some nasty gunk in it) and that Grant's body accepts it.
2. His body quickly nukes the virus.
3. He begins to eat from his bottle easily and consistently.
4. That his heart and lungs fully heal.

The final bit of good news is that Shannon is doing great--peaceful, trusting, calm and we both slept very well last night. Thanks for everything, everybody!