Check out the Christmas photos! www.picasaweb.google.com/DanandDebVanAlstine/Christmas2007
Debbie
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Updates
Dan did get his labs done on Dec. 27th. His MELD is still 18, same as in November. However, he's now #4 on the waiting list, with 2 other patients just coming to Mayo with higher MELDs than Dan. I don't think we should put much hope in that waiting list, since things can change in a moment's notice. And it's not a competition anyway. Please join us in prayer for those new patients that their critical need for a liver is met asap.
Also, Dan's ammonia level is 230 (normal is under 60), so that explains the added challenges Dan is having lately like short-term memory loss, muscle tremors, sleep reversal (can't sleep at night but can't stay awake in the day), and problems with reading retention and comprehension, the most frustrating since he loves to read. He is still on meds for this, doesn't seem like they are helping much. Dan's next labs, imaging, and dr. appointments is Monday, Feb. 11 and I will be flying back to Phoenix for this, probably be there for just a few days.
I'll be posting new photos of Swen soon. He's 6 months old now and is still the most beautiful baby on the planet. He's starting to eat baby food, and we got to watch him try peas which he loved (despite Dan threatening to call child protection for "child abuse" as Dan called it-those who know Dan know he loathes peas.)
Dan had a few visitors from Hawaii in December (Erick Underwood and his friend Mike; Wally & Lorrie Enos; Cal & Elise Buenconsejo and family; Alan, Carol Ann, Cathy, Sherry Watanabe; and Furman & Faye Toney-camp managers from Puu Kahea). He received many cards, letters, phone calls, and gifts. These all mean a lot after having been away from home and his Mililani ohana for 6 months now.
Gratefully,
Debbie and Dan
Also, Dan's ammonia level is 230 (normal is under 60), so that explains the added challenges Dan is having lately like short-term memory loss, muscle tremors, sleep reversal (can't sleep at night but can't stay awake in the day), and problems with reading retention and comprehension, the most frustrating since he loves to read. He is still on meds for this, doesn't seem like they are helping much. Dan's next labs, imaging, and dr. appointments is Monday, Feb. 11 and I will be flying back to Phoenix for this, probably be there for just a few days.
I'll be posting new photos of Swen soon. He's 6 months old now and is still the most beautiful baby on the planet. He's starting to eat baby food, and we got to watch him try peas which he loved (despite Dan threatening to call child protection for "child abuse" as Dan called it-those who know Dan know he loathes peas.)
Dan had a few visitors from Hawaii in December (Erick Underwood and his friend Mike; Wally & Lorrie Enos; Cal & Elise Buenconsejo and family; Alan, Carol Ann, Cathy, Sherry Watanabe; and Furman & Faye Toney-camp managers from Puu Kahea). He received many cards, letters, phone calls, and gifts. These all mean a lot after having been away from home and his Mililani ohana for 6 months now.
Gratefully,
Debbie and Dan
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