Day 71, Blood drive and Elevated Liver Enzymes

RV life is agreeing with Hunter!  We've had two really good clinic visits.  He is loving getting to sit outside, eat home cooked food, and walk around the lake.  We spent our 4th grilling out and relaxing.  

Methodist Hospital contacted us the last week that we were in the hospital and asked if they could do a blood drive for Hunter at their location in West Houston Hospital in Katy.  Jana is still getting phone calls from churches and individuals alike asking if we need donations.  If you didn't get a chance to donate and still want to give to Hunter, July 10th from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Mesquite Room is a blood drive to benefit Hunter.  To make an appointment, or have questions call (713)394-6711.  The address is:

Methodist West Houston Hospital-Mesquite Room on the 1st floor

18500 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77094

Wednesday, July 10th, 10a.m.-2 p.m.

We have already been so blessed by all those who donated blood in Hunter's name.  Family, friends, and strangers have provided every unit that Hunter has needed with A+ blood since I asked on the blog for donations.  You don't have to be A+ to donate, there is a need for every type of blood.  Hunter has received lots of platelets and cryoprecipitates, as well as red blood.  It is amazing how many blood products a sick person requires! 

At Wednesday's clinic visit, Hunter's hemoglobin was up to 10.4.  Hemoglobin is a component of red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all the other tissues in the body.  Normal is from 14-18, and Hunter's has been as low as a 4 when he was admitted.  Red cells are the slowest to rebuild after transplant, plus the hemolytic anemia caused him to eat up red cells at a very quick rate.  Hunter jumped from a hemoglobin of 8.7 Monday to 10.4 Wednesday.  This has to give him more energy and it is the highest that it's been since transplant!  To say that we were excited was an understatement.  

After Wednesday's clinic visit, Mark and Jana headed home.  They were here just over 4 weeks.  Mark stayed almost every night in the hospital with Hunter and spent countless hours rubbing his legs and talking when Hunter couldn't sleep.  We were amazed that he never wore out.  Jana is his biggest cheerleader and has tons of experience navigating the hospital world.  She kept track of medicines and procedures like a pro.  She also helped coordinate all the calls and texts when Hunter needed volunteers for blood.  It's been a tough month, but we were so grateful that we could all be here for Hunter.  Chase and the employees at Hanner Chevrolet have been amazing.  We are truly blessed that they could run the store with 3 and sometimes all 4 of the Hanners in Houston at the hospital.  Hunter is loved by so many!  Thanks Team Hanner!!!!

Slowly, Hunter is getting stronger.  His leg muscles are all but gone after his hospital stay and being confined to bed.  He is getting better at navigating the stairs at the RV, but they're a challenge.  He has had lots more energy and his nausea is much improved.  We are eating little meals every couple hours and he's had his amount of pills reduced.  His legs are still cramping from the work of walking around, but he is working hard to regain the pounds and strength he lost.  He got his xbox live hooked up and was talking trash with his brother here.

  

The kids have been happy little campers in Abilene.  Erinn is back from the beach, and they've been doing lots of swimming and playing outside.  I sent them some little sunglasses for the pool, and these look like some cool dudes!

Honey assures me Benton's glasses are red in person and not pink.  Ha!

Mom and Dad spent the 4th with the boys at our house, then packed up and Mark and Jana moved in.  I'm so thankful for parents who are willing to uproot themselves to keep things routine for the boys!  Our guys are very well adjusted to being split away from Hunter and I, and a lot of credit goes to my parents and the rest of our family for loving on them for almost 3 months in our place.  Benton, Caleb, and Clayton were all ecstatic to see Nana and G-Daddy.  They went to eat at Pizza Inn as is their custom.

We're trying to pack the pounds on Hunter around here!  Peanut butter, vitamin D milk, protein smoothies, Clif bars, nuts, salmon, and steak have been on our menu.  Cold and bland are what his taste buds like right now.  What else am I missing feeding him?

Our journey isn't over down here.  While Hunter is moving in the right direction, he's still fragile.  We would appreciate your prayers that Hunter stays stable as his steroid dosages are decreased.  There is always the chance that he could relapse if he's not weaned slowly.  We want him off the high dose steroids because it increases his chance of infection, but we don't want to be back destroying more red cells than he can produce again.  His donor graft is strong, and he is getting used to his increased medications.  However, his liver enzymes are creeping up.  Dr. Carrum isn't sure of the cause, so if they're still elevated at Tuesday's clinic visit, more testing will ensue.  He got a lot of transfusions, so there's always the possibility that he picked up something from transfusions.  We ask for diligent prayers that his liver heals itself and we don't have any more setbacks.

 If you know someone who might be interested in the blood drive, please feel free to share this link.  You also can subscribe to follow each blog post of Hunter's progress via email on the link in the top right of my blog in case you don't see the updates on facebook.  We are thankful for the technology to stay connected to so many!  Lots of love to team Hanner!