Day +25/+26 (Field trip ...)

Hunter is now officially off his IV pain medication. This is a major step towards his being released into outpatient care here in Seattle. I never thought I would say it, but we are thrilled with the prospect of returning to our Ronald McDonald House apartment. The doctors have converted the majority of Hunter's IV medications to oral. He isn't a fan of taking oral medicines like he was before being admitted, however he manages to take them and keep them down. Unfortunately, he's taken a couple steps backward with his eating and is still on fifty percent of his IV nutrition. We spend a lot of time distracting, coaxing, bartering and threatening Hunter to get him to eat. When he is discharged he may need a feeding tube, as well as IV fluids, which is an absolute. We received the results of Hunter's most recent nasal wash. He finally cleared parainfluenza! However, he tested positive for bocavirus. Luckily, he does not need to remain in isolation for this particular virus unless he is symptomatic, which thankfully he is not. Also, this result will be double checked. This afternoon we roamed around the unit at our leisure, free of Hunter's IV pole. His ANC is 2240. This number, combined with Hunter not constantly on IV, allows us to take a field trip tomorrow! Although his new immune system has a LONG way to go, we get to take him out of the hospital for some fresh air and activity for about two hours. We are very excited since Hunter has been inside the hospital since September 13th.

P.S. Today Hunter figured out some parts of Finding Nemo are a little bit scary. He cried for Nemo when he was stuck in the fish tank at the dentist's office. We had to quickly switch to Toy Story. I wonder how long it will take before he realizes some parts of Toy Story are a little bit scary too.