Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Unsolved mystery

No definitive answer as to what is causing the high white blood cell count or the fever which has mostly subsided. Only numerous possibilities that range all over. The immediate introduction of antibiotics after his first set of tests leave many question marks about follow on test results. Quinn has been put on a two week antibiotic treatment. This could be curing a dangerous internal infection, or it could be for nothing but a cold. Either way, it's a lengthy precaution. One of the misfortunes of this treatment is that the antibiotics cause gas and stomach cramping. He gets hungry but often takes hours to calm, so feeding him has become tricky. He falls asleep very shortly after all the crying, whether he's got milk in his mouth or not.



He takes his meds right into the chest. A line was surgically placed into a vein just outside his heart.


Earlier today, x-rays showed that the line penetrated too deeply and needs to be retracted a bit. So for tonight, he will get the antibiotics through a syringe into the thigh muscle.

I have to agree with Maria's comment about watching your children suffer. I'd prefer just about any hardship over watching him have to endure more. Seeing him repeatedly brought to the point beyond crying, where you just see exhausted whimpers, it wears a mom and dad down pretty good. Steph and I are holding onto the belief that he will still come out of this all free of any negative long term effects. With no certainty of what his affliction is, we hold him and pray a lot. And we continue to be grateful for the countless other thoughts and prayers from so many. I think they can only help. He is already looking much better than he did a few days ago. He's not so pale anymore.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Quinn, I was just about to head off to bed when I got the urge to come look at your beautiful little face. You certainly are stong! And I have to say you get cuter every picture Mom and Dad take! I was driving down the street with my daughter Grace (6) today and she said Mommy can we say a prayer for Quinn. I told her absolutelty and then I asked her to pray the prayer she wanted to pray for you. She closed her eyes as I watched her In the rearview and she said Dear God I know you listen to my prayers because you love kids and I want you to make sure that Quinn gets all better. And that the doctors stop poking him all the time. So God you need to fix all Quinn's boo boo's so he can go back home.. And then she asked me to pray the Hail Mary with her which we did. You see Quinn the little prayers are the ones that are pulling you through all of this. Tonight I pray that you sleep well and are able to fill you tummy without having any discomfort. That you have beautiful dreams. And that all the heavenly Angels stand watch over you. Along with all the great Saints like Saint Michael and Gabriel and my favorite Saint Jude. I also want to pray that Jesus continue to cradle you in his compassionate embrace, and that he work through the hands of all those caring for you. We love you Mighty little Quinn. Sweet Dreams love Maria and Gracie.

Anonymous said...

Quinn looks wonderful. He's getting so big! And his eyes are so expresive now.

Dan & Steph, I wish I could give you strength. I wish that we could tag-team so you could get some emotional rest. If I could, I would be there in the hospital with you every minute so that if you needed anything at all, I could take care of you. I suppose that's the mother in me, or maybe just the sister-in-law who can't stand to see you three suffer anymore.

I am looking forward to the day when you are home for good, with all of this behind you. I know that day will come.

I love you.
Kristin

Anonymous said...

Dearest Quinn,
This is Mary's Grandma, and I want you to listen carefully to me. Mary and her mommy (your Aunt Kristin, the bestest mommy in the universe next to your own) and Daddy (your Uncle Joe, the one who taught your daddy everything he knows!)need you to get ALL better REAL SOON so they can hug you and play with you and give you zerberts and laugh with you. All your aunts and uncles and grandmas and grandpas and cousins are looking forward to all the wonderful, fun times they are going to have with you. So you just keep getting better and stronger and beat those nasty little germies up real good so you can go home with Mommy and Daddy really, really soon!
You are looking fantastically handsome, by the way! Lots and lots and lots of love, Joanne

Anonymous said...

I know I'm biased, but Quinn just keeps getting cuter and cuter. It kills me to have him go through so much. Thank God he has you two as parents. Keep the faith.

Pop and Kim

Anonymous said...

My oh my, does Quinn get more handsome every day! I think of you all everyday and keep praying for the whole Marshall/Pantalone family. Quinn has overcome so many huge set backs, that this one seems small compared to the rest.
Lots of love,
Toby

Anonymous said...

Hang tough Quinn!!! You are so strong, stronger than I could ever be! Get well soon, you have many many people who can't wait to meet you and love you.

Love
Erin

Anonymous said...

BON JOUR LE PETIT PRINCE.. KATHLEEN IS WAITING FOR YOU TO GET HOME WITH YOUR MOM AND DAD REAL SOOOOOON IT S OK THAT THE PARTY WILL HAVE WAIT TO AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU AND PRAY DAILY FOR YOU YOU WILL HAVE TO BE PATIENCE .. YOU REALLY MERIT IT.. HEY LITTLE PRINCE PLEASE GET BETTTER REAL SOON OUR PRAYERS ARE ALL FOR YOU YOUR PARENT S AND POP GROS BISOUS FROM FRANCE KATHLEEN AND FAMILY

Anonymous said...

Kathleen and parents,
Please email Pop and Kim at; marshall3331@sbcglobal.net.com

if you are able.

Anonymous said...

Kathleen and parents,
The address is:
marshall3331@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

Dear Steph and Dan,

I check the blog several times each day, hoping for news of Quinn. Know that I am praying for encouragement and strength for both of you, and that you can feel that God is taking care of Quinn and of you both. Surely better days lie ahead.

With love,
Mrs. Cherry