Doing MUCH Better

     After quite a rough time, Everett is doing MUCH better. His last fever was Sunday at 7am and since that time he has gotten progressively better. His heart rate has returned to normal. The fluid around his lungs has cleared so he is breathing much better and has been able to go without oxygen support since Monday morning. He has been eating a little bit at each meal so they have discontinued his TPN (iv nutrition) and fluids during the day. And he is allowed to be off the ECG and respiratory monitors during the day as well, so he can be up and about, and has even been to the playroom a few times in the past 2 days. 

     The doctors continue to be amazed by our little fighter. They expected him to get worse before he got better and seemed genuinely surprised and very happy to see him doing so well so soon. For John and I the 5 days Everett was sick were terrible and scary, and his recovery could not come fast enough, so we are beyond relieved to see him out of bed and smiling again.   I'm not sure that either of us could have handled seeing our baby get much worse, so his rapid improvement has been a gift from God.  And the best news we've gotten in weeks -- if Everett continues to improve as he has in the past few days, the doctors say he can go HOME Friday!  No word yet on how long of a break we'll get, but we're hoping for at least a few weeks.

     Before Everett was diagnosed with leukemia, there were times in life that I felt alone. In the past 6 months I've realized that I am NEVER alone. God has sent our family an army of angels to support us, emotionally and financially, and to help us fight this battle.  There aren't enough "thank you's" in the world to adequately express how grateful our family is for this continued support, but I will say thank you anyway...many many thanks to all our friends and family who have been there for us in the past 6 months of treatment, and the last week especially. 

Love to you all,

Val