Saying goodbye to the friends of Mr Hose (Day +17)

Excuse us if this blog is starting to make for boring reading, but Max had, just like the past four or five days, another fun filled and relaxing day. He had another visit from the physiotherapist for a game of balloon volleyball, some kick to kick and some duplo block building. The stream of nurses popping in to say hello does not stop; he certainly is popular with the ladies. After tea, we played a game of Thomas the Tank Engine bingo which was suprisingly entertaining for all and then Max crashed out watching his favourite show of the psychic-detective genre, 'Medium'.

In another sign that the end of Max's hospital stay is imminent, the doctors have begun to drop in conversation for the first time the 'H' word. And by 'H word', they mean home. His spirits and white blood cell counts continue to rise for which the doctors are very happy with. For the doctors to be able discharge Max he also needs to be receiving all his nutrition orally, ie eating with his mouth, be producing, to put it politely, more solid number twos and be off all intravenous medication. Max is well on the way to crossing off all three of these requirements.

Today he was taken off his IV supply of food (Total Parenteral Nutrition or TPN) although he continues to also be fed formula via his nasogastric tube (aka Mr Nose). The formula will be reduced and eventually cut out as he picks up his eating. He continues to eat more and more each day; today he had a decent crack at his lunch and he annihalted a chocolate 'Lindor' ball for desert. He certainly hasn't lost his sweet tooth. As for the number twos, they are definitely looking chunkier, less chocolate fondant and more rice pudding.

Ever since Max was admitted to hospital four weeks ago he has been hooked up to a number of IV pumps to administer via his Hickman Line (aka Mr Hose) the various drugs, food substitutes and blood products required for his treatment. The number of pumps connected to his IV lines peaked at ten! As of today he's down to just the three; one for Heparin to ensure that the Hickman line does not become blocked up and two to administer any required transfusions. Today the nurses turned off the remaining IV medications including cyclosporine (anti-rejection drug which will now be administered orally), amphotericine (antifungal drug) and morphine (pain relief).

As thoughts start to turn to home we are beginning to look out for Max's next big challenge. Maybe it will be acting, 'Zoolander 2' perhaps?

Here are the latest stats:

White cell count: 4.1 (6.0-17.0)
Neutrophils:  2.09 (1.5-8.5)
Haemoglobin: 109 (110-140) *
Platelets: 14 (150-400) *

* transfusions are topping these levels up at the moment, so they are not a true indication of where he is at.

cheers,

Tim