Big Day Tomorrow!

Parker has a big day ahead of him tomorrow as he is scheduled for his next enzyme injection. He used to get the injections on Mondays and Thursdays, but they have recently been changed to Tuesday and Fridays. This will mean one less visit to Sick Kid's for us as since clinic is on on Friday's. Clinic is when Parker would get his CBC done to check his blood counts each week.

In addition to getting his enzyme injection, Parker will be giving 10 ccs of blood so that the flow cytometry test may be repeated. Recall that this test will check to see how many of the different types of T-cells he has. The last test revealed that Parker was normal for his B-cells and NK-cells, but was still below the norm for CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Being on PEG will never restore these to the normal range but we do want to see a trend illustrating that they are increasing. I am unsure if we are only looking for this particular trend or if we need them to reach a specific number before we may go home for the summer, as we await a journey to Italy. The last test revealed that Parker's CD4+ cells had reached 39 from 9 when we were admitted and his CD8+ cells had reached 15 from 1 when we were admitted. The same blood sample will also be used to perform his CBC (complete blood count).

Lastly, Parker will be reintroduced to Septra as a precaution to PCP pneumonia. He was on Septra (orally) but was taken off of it when he became neutropenic. He then began Pentamidine (IV) once every two weeks in its place, and as a result, Parker is no longer neutropenic. Now that we are closer to going home, they would like to try the Septra again since it is much better in acting as a deterant to PCP. Although we are anxious about the switch back, it will be monitored very closely and stopped if his neutrophil counts decrease. The fact that Parker will not need an IV is also reassuring.

I did an interview with the Corriere Canadese, the Canadian version of the Italian newspaper. I am not sure when the article will come out, but it will be in Italian. No problem here. I am working on my Italian each and every day.

Parker is doing very well. He has taken to his regularly concentrated formula and has continued to grow. I had the little guy on his tummy for a good five minutes before I picked him up and gave him a big hug. The occupational therapist also came by today. She was very pleased with his accomplishments. Parker is very close to rolling over on his own (back to tummy) and must now work on pushing up with his arms when he is on his tummy. I know it is a lot of work, but a few push ups never hurt anyone!