Update on Joel

We took Joel to the hospitals for several appointments yesterday. He moved very slowly, with oxygen, sometimes in a wheelchair. Here are the results of those visits:

INR: 7.8. TOO HIGH! Blood is thin. Surgeon's office advised us to let him move slowly and cautiously. We continue to follow strictly the doctor's orders on blood thinner; it's still early on in finding accurate dosages of Coumadin after his latest valve replacement. The surgeon's office calls with orders from the surgeon each day, after they receive the results from that morning's blood draw done at the hospital lab.

Joel is becoming accustomed to the frequent lab draws again; always sitting up and holding Papa's hand for support. This morning he spelled his last name out loud for the technician, "W-Y-N-K-O-O-P"! He also answered how old he is, "Ten! Janary!" Afterwards, he always walks into the front office door and chooses stickers for his sticker book. They're all so good to him!

Joel's thyroid level was checked yesterday and was low; endocrinologist appointment resulted in a higher dose for his hypothyroidism.

His lungs look a lot better, continuing Pulmicort in nebulizer 2 X Day, Albuterol in neb 3 X Day. Continuing Vest treatments 2 X Day for 20 minutes each. Decreased Lasix to 2 X Day, Aldactone to once; not at night. Weaning off Steroids and tonight is last dose of Ativan. We can begin weaning him off the oxygen, according to the surgeon, making sure his sats stay 92 or above. Spot check his sats. I will still allow the monitor to run continuously on him during the night. He's continuing to sleep in the Bi-Pap mask at night.

The surgeon recommends that "Joel should stay at Grandma's house for two to three more weeks [because of the other little kids' frequent respiratory illnesses] as staying out of the hospital insurance." We will see the surgeon again in four weeks, so ultimately it will be Joel's regular pediatrician who makes the decision. He will be seen by her tomorrow, but not for that particular decision...yet.
Joel has been more talkative the last few days. This morning he's been moving about acting out a movie, more like the old Joel.

We're so grateful for his continued recovery! Words cannot express our gratitude to God --and to our friends and loved ones for their prayers to the Father on Joel's behalf. Help continues to be needed at home and those that are helping are true angels to our family!