Parker update Feb 26

Yesterday was a very tough day for us and I think we needed some small rays of sunshine. Our little trooper seemed to sense that we may have been at our limit and gave us a couple of cherubic handfuls of hope.

The convulsions seem to be less frequent and they are better controlled by the medication. They also determined that the pressure in the cranium was a bit more subdued and did not need to do another liquid drain from the cranium.

He also responded better to some of the therapies that they did on him without his vital signs declining dramatically.

Our doctor (Dr Oualha) is quick to point out that these are one days results and tomorrow could be like yesterday and that stability is no replacement for improvement but right now we have a renewed hope in his survival. The doctor also has started talking about next steps and things they will be looking for during early next week. While this means that the path has yet some steps to be trod it also means that we have another day or two with our son.

Parker was the focus of the ICU services conference today and they spent several hours with pediatric neurosurgeons and neurologists discussing treatment options.

They now believe that there may be a hematoma on the brain and are planning to run another CT scan either tomorrow or Saturday to localize this and treat it. They are not sure if this will be possible by accessing through the soft spot or if they will need to perform a more invasive neuro-surgical procedure. They are also not sure if the CT scan will be sufficient in which case they will need to do an MRI which is a bit more complicated. In any case the next couple of days will be a bit active.

Rachael (Renee's sister) was able to come into the ICU unit to be with him today. Tomorrow the girls are going to have a chat with Dr Oualha and a psycologist and then maybe get to come in and see PJ as well.

We have started to realize that while we want the right answer right now the only immediate conclusion is not a happy one so we are willing to wait a little bit longer, or maybe a lot longer to get to a happy non-ending.

We realize that our lives are going to be changed by all of this and Parker's life as well may be changed by this-- and we are starting to work towards acceptance of that eventuality as a possible outcome.

We are so blessed to have the love and support of so many and feel so undeserving and humbled by the strength of the pure charity of heart that has been shown to us. I spent the better part of last night fighting to get away from an overwhelming sense of despair and trying to find that perfect brightness of hope. The scriptures you send, thoughts you share, candles you light and faith you express give us those first few beams of morning light.