12/27/11
This is Liz...yes, I finally got on here. First of all, I just want to tell you all myself how much Preston and I appreciate the prayers and support. This journey has been made much easier knowing we have an EXTENSIVE prayer net that is always there to lift us up when we do start to get discouraged. We are so proud of our boys and the incredible fight in them. We could not thank God enough for putting these two bundles of joy in our lives. So for today's update...


Carson had a busy day. He had a MRI of his head/neck and abdomen and a CTScan of his lungs. One of the tumor markers, AFP, they were evaluating to make sure there was not any recurrence of the teratoma had been decreasing rapidly. However, the rate of decrease has slowed considerably so they want to get these studies to evaluate not only this but also how his structures are healing, the clot in the liver, and for any recurrence. The AFP may be slowing also due to his issues with his liver he has been having. ENT wants to get a scope of his neck too but this won't be this week probably. If everything looks good on the MRI/CTScan, they will continue with plans to wean his ventilator. At this time, his ventilator has settings of 24 PIP, 6 PEEP, and 18 PEEP plus. They will start weaning PEEP plus first. This is what he gets when he breathes on his own in addition to the PEEP. As we wean this, he will be doing more of the work on his own rather than relying on the machine. Later in the week, Liz and Preston will start talking with social workers about what type of assistance they might need if Carson goes home with a tracheostomy and G-tube. Even though they are discussing this, it doesn't mean he will have to have trach at home. Dr. Yang still believes there is chance he may not need it long term, if he is not aspirating and the structures are healing well. In addition, they are going to be able to do a swallow study later this week even though Carson is still on the ventilator. Lots of things to keep in our prayers, but it will be nice to have more information after all these studies are completed.