Things have been quite busy here lately. I think it's even busier than the holiday season. Baseball has begun! This year, both boys are playing which can make things kind of crazy. Not to mention, I think I may have overcommitted my husband. He is trying to help coach both teams. Carter is so cute out there! His size small shirt comes down to his shins. But, don't let the size fool you. He can definitely keep up with the rest of them.
My brother's visit to Charleston Southern went well. The coaches were very impressed with him. They want him to report to practice early Aug (I forgot the exact date). Once he "proves" himself, they will more than likely offer an athletic scholarship. Supposedly, he cannot "try-out" before hand because it is against the rules for a D1 school. CSU is a D1 subdivision school (not sure what that means). I do know, however, that their opening game is against the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS - THE FLORIDA GATORS! The game is in the SWAMP and you better believe I will be there. And, if my brother is playing for CSU, yes, I will be a Buccaneer that day! How COOL would that be to run out of the tunnel in the SWAMP! AHHHH! I know CSU will get eaten alive but the experience would be worth it, right?! My brother and Mom really like the campus. Please pray that the Lord will lead the way and make it very clear if this is where Ryan is supposed to be. Also, that HE will provide. It is a very expensive school and my Mom has applied for assistance. Hopefully, she will only have to pay for the 1st semester. Another great bonus is CSU is a Christian School. I was excited to hear that. Hopefully, Ryan will grow in his love for our Savior while there and hopefully, he will be around great people!
Carter is going in for a bone marrow biopsy this Thursday. It will be at Wolfsons Children's Hospital. He went to the doctor last Fri 02/27 and not much has changed. His hemoglobin dropped from a 10.7 to a 10.6 (not really that significant) and his retic dropped from a 1.7 to a 1.2. Retic is short for reticulocyte. A reticulocyte count is a blood test that measures how fast red blood cells called reticulocytes are made by the bone marrow and released into the blood. A high count would be good meaning his body is working hard to reverse anemia. When he went into the hospital his retic was a 0 meaning his body had quit producing red blood cells altogether. For awhile after his blood transfusion, although his hemoglobin remained low, his retic was high. That was encouraging to doctors and they thought that he was following the classic course for TEC. Now, 3 ½ months later, It seems as though his hemoglobin has plateaued at a low level and his retic has dropped back off. If he had Transient Erythroblastopenia of Childhood as doctors thought, he should be recovered by now.
In addition to this, his MCV is high. This means his red blood cell volume (size) is too big. This is called macrocytic anemia or macrocytosis. According to the lab sheet, a high MCV would be 87. Carter’s was 107 last month and 103.5 this month. The doctor said Carter’s should not be over 100 at all. The condition that is causing this is what needs to be determined. Why is this going on? I am confident the bone marrow biopsy will provide some answers. I have also provided the doctor with copies of every lab Carter has had done since birth along with NICU discharge papers. Hopefully, this will also help as they will be able to see his history.
To end on a good note, Justin got at promotion ar work. Effective 03/16 (my Birthday), he will be a Supervisor! God is so good!
