Official Ezra blog no up...this one going latent

Someone has put together a wonderful blog to keep family and friends posted regarding Ezra's progress. Thus, my temporary blog is going to more-or-less shut down. You can find the new official blog at URL below or by clicking here.

http://www.forezra.com/

I may continue to post those little updates Beth makes from her Twitter account.....but only if significant. I urge all family and friends to now switch over the the official Ezra blog. Mine was only a temporary communication mechanism.

Kevin (grandpa)

Ezra out of surgery

Beth sent brief "tweet" that Ezra's surgery was successful and is over...and he is now hungry...a good sign :)

Go Ezra go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sounds like at least one more week in the hospital :(

Ezra surgery today

Ezra is having another surgery today to remove his port which they
think is the cause of his bacterial infection. He will then need
surgery 12 days later to insert a new one.

Poor little guy.

Kevin McGrew PhD
Educational/School Psych.
IAP (www.iapsych.com)

Sent from KMcGrew iPhone (IQMobile). (If message includes an image-
double click on it to make larger-if hard to see)

Ezra getting new PICC port - another surgery?

Beth "tweeted" the following this morning:

"Poor baby boy has to get a PICC put in they think his incision from his port surgery is infected and they need to let it heal."

Ezra, when first Dx'd had immediate surgery to implant a port in his chest for the chemo and antibiotic treatments. It now sounds like that port area is infected...so he is either getting a new one or a different type (PICC)....not sure...I don't know the details.

Ezra update from Beth: Mask on

Beth posted the following "tweet" 30 minutes ago.

"Finally got Ezra to wear a mask, we went for a 30 minute wagon ride....hooray!"

Way to go Ezra

Older bro

Here is Ezras older brother Rowan.

Great kid and all boy. Currently deep into anything to do with Batman.

Reasons for Ezras blood transfusion

I just heard from Beth via text message. Ezra is getting blood
transfusion today because his hemoglobin is low and his heart rate
elevated.

Prayers are with Ezra and family.

Kevin McGrew PhD
Educational/School Psych.
IAP (www.iapsych.com)

Sent from KMcGrew iPhone (IQMobile). (If message includes an image-
double click on it to make larger-if hard to see)

Ezra getting another blood transfusion

Beth tweeted that Ezra is going to get another blood transfusion today

Ezra making good progress; ANC=750

The following tweet was posted by Beth via her Twitter account this morning:

"Sweet little boy is doing good today, ANC up to 750...watch out world we may be able to leave the room soon!"

What is the ANC?

Absolute Neutrophil Count: The corrected number of neutrophils present in the white blood cell count. Also named Absolute Granulocyte Count. Formula: (% neutrophils + % bands) * WBC = ANC.

According to Beth, most normal counts are around 1,500 and if it dips below 500 you should get very worried. When they brought him to the ER the other night his ANC was 70!!!!!!!!!!! Very scary.

Looks like the extended hospital treatment is working.

Ezra playing today

Beth tweeted an hour ago that Ezra was sitting up an playing and
looking much better today.

Go Ezra go!!!!

Kevin McGrew PhD
Educational/School Psych.
IAP (www.iapsych.com)

Sent from KMcGrew iPhone (IQMobile). (If message includes an image-
double click on it to make larger-if hard to see)

Ezra update note from Beth

Beth just made a personal update post re: Ezra at her Manic Mother blog. Click here to check it out.

Ezra update via Julie

Thanks Julie. Great job Beth. 

Sent from KMcGrew iPhone (IQMobile). (If message includes an image-double click on it to make larger-if hard to see) 

Begin forwarded message:

Snippets of update from Julie after she talked to Beth on phone 

 They just got moved out of PICU and are now in the pediatric oncology unit

Ezra is responding  to the antibiotic  treatment and his ANC (Acute Neutrophil Count) number is increasing from a low of 70.  Anything below 1500 is cause for concern--below 500 and you must watch carefully.  Ezra has a bacterial infection--Beth couldn't remember the name, but it a common bacteria on everybody's skin.  He is infected with it only because of his low ANC number.

Many of the staff have commended her for bringing him in when she did.........waiting can lead to much bigger problems.  She said his color is improving and he generally looks a little better.  Beth's mood seemed to be good--she seemed optimistic.