We're Home Again!!

Yesterday they decided to discharge us since Nathan had not had a fever in two days. I was initially really excited but the ID doctor told me she was nervous that something might happen overnight. So of course, that made me nervous. I started wondering why they were they letting us go. I ended up speaking with the pediatrician and asked her if it was risky to take Nathan home. She was very reassuring but did tell me that she, the ID doctor and the neurosurgeon agree that Nathan will probably have to have another procedure to drain the abscess. However, they want to do it when he is healthy and not suffering from fevers since it is not an emergency. And of course, it is brain surgery so they are being cautious. They want to see how things go with the antibiotics. Nathan is scheduled for another MRI of his brain on March 5th and we have an appointment with the neurosurgeon on the 9th so they will reevaluate at that time. We have been instructed to bring him into the hospital if his fever hits 101 degrees, if there is any change in his mental state or anything else abnormal happens. We will be readily admitted should any of these occur.

Nathan's antibiotic therapy has changed somewhat. He is on something different, something that covers a broader range of infection. He also needs to have this antibiotics every eight hours as opposed to every twelve. This is making for late nights and early mornings but I think Richard and I will eventually figure out a schedule where we switch off so both of us are getting good sleep. Right now it's so new we are administering it together. I told Richard it was kind of scary to play nurse! :)

In spite of all this, we are so happy to be home. It will be a little while before the house is in order but I made a little progress today. But it is nice to be at home together and sleep in our own beds! There is so much to be thankful for!

Right now we are praying that Nathan's abscess decreases in size quickly and that he doesn't need to have another procedure. I am also praying that after Nathan's next MRI the doctor's are amazed at the size of his abscess and have no medical explanation. :)

Right after Nathan was taken into surgery I opened my Bible and read this very verse in Psalm 118:8, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man." This has been a comfort to me during this process (although I have had my discouraging moments - just not too many). Right before the surgery, the doctor's told me that they weren't sure he could survive or that they could even help him. I will chose to trust in the One who has the final say on what happens to our little guy.

Thanks so much for your prayers! I will update all of you as things develop and to let you know how we're doing.