Brisan and Parker Stults | Living with Niemann-Pick Type C

Archive for the ‘Infusions’ Category

Well good news…Brisan and Parker will have their Desmopressin (DDVAP) infusions until the end of the month (for their bleeding problem). Our infusion company and our hemoc doctors are working very hard to find the “goods'! We don't know what will take place after the beginning of the year though. Still good news.

The boys have been great this week. Nothing major to report (thankfully). Duncan did have his evaluations to see if he would qualify for ECSE (school). He has been progressing much better so it is a 50/50 shot we get in the door we are guessing.

Thank you for all your support.

Yesterday was our last day for the NAC drug trial but unfortunately isn't our last day here. Early yesterday morning both boys started throwing up. They took turns every 15 minutes it felt like. After 3 sheet changes we made it into phlebotomy for their blood work.

We were essentially done after eating breakfast; well the boys didn't eat or show any interest. While in the lobby of the PED's clinic talking with other Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) families Parker had a nice projectile vomit! After that moment he just became more pale than he normally is. Dr. Porter saw him and he was instantly concerned. We brought him back to an examination room where they think he had some type of seizure we didn't catch that made him unresponsive to what they were doing with him. We also found out we were suppose to leave Friday evening not Saturday.

During that time Jennifer's family (Uncle Jim's sister Tammy and family) drove up to visit but I was in the lobby with them during that time when Parker was not Parker. I do remember glancing in the room without knowing what was happening and thinking that Parker didn't look right. We all know Parker how if he thinks your going to touch him he responds!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Porter and Dr. Holmes felt that the floor they had him on where Dr. Porter does his protocol work for NPC, wasn't suitable to watch him properly. So they moved him up to ICU on the 3rd floor. At this point it was about 9 pm EST and poor Brisan hadn't even taken a real nap all day. He also was vomiting but he didn't act like Parker did (Brisan seems to be doing well this morning as I write this).

The biggest concern after getting Parker into a room for testing was why his hemoglobin was so low. It was a level 6 which in adults we would be pretty lethargic and non responsive.  His heart rate and pulse were up and his blood pressure was low. The question that remains is where is all the blood going? Jennifer updated me this morning that they gave him a blood transfusion and he is now up to level 9. She said he isn't a 100% but appears to be improving from the low points over the last 24hrs.

We have a scheduled plane ride tonight at 6 pm EST but we are a 100% sure that isn't going to happen. I would suspect maybe Monday we could come home (???). Thank you for all your support and prayers! Truly it is your support that makes things better because alone we are not capable of producing such comfort on our own.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Parker and Brisan are doing better. Parker seems to be walking in an improved state.  Wednesday Duncan decided to jump on the couch and broke Jennifer's nose. She isn't feeling well and has an appointment with the ENT on Monday to see what can be done to resolve the issue. She posted the x-rays on her Facebook profile page.

April 21-24 we will have our last visit to the NIH for the NAC drug trial. That Thursday will be used to provide insight into Brisan's sinuses and polyps along with the finishing touches of paperwork / examinations they will perform. Nothing major expect 14 tubes of blood! In May we will start Zavesca back up but I am sure we will talk with Dr. Porter more about it to get his insight.

Brisan and Parker's port-a-cath sites are looking good. Monday will be the first time they can access Parker's site for his infusions. They also took Parker off AMICAR and gave him another drug in its place.

I was able to get the “dudes” on the camera last night. Of course they had no interest in what I was doing because one of their favorite cartoons was on, The Penguins of Madagascar! Parker started having some bleeding while he was at grandma Carnes's house this week. Yesterday ARJ Infusions Services came out and did another infusion of DDVAP for both of them. They also will both get another infusion on Monday, their regular scheduled day.

It appears unofficially that they will be going to twice a week infusions. That is our hunch at least. Below is a video of the guys after dinner: (if your unable to view via your email update, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoWaslyYsdk)

In the video as you can obviously see ( ha ha) they are both getting a feed through their GT's. Brisan will surprise us every now and then and eat a whole bunch but we need to supplement his calories. Parker loves to eat as well but we want to make sure they have a full belly before they go to bed. Hopefully that will help them sleep.

You also will notice how Brisan really doesn't like to look down at his food (well cookie!). You have to love the vertical gaze palsy!  Either way we love the little guys! Thank you to all for everything. There will never be an action or material item that could say thank you for the prayers, support, and love you've given our family.