Skip to main content

Monday, October 15th

This morning has started off well.  Today we have an ANC of 100.  We are more than thrilled to have received such good news.  The shots are starting to work and we are praying we will see counts continue to rise. 

Otto was taken early this morning to get an ultrasound of his liver.  The radiologist was looking to see whether or not the fungal mass growing on the liver was messing with the large vein that feeds it.  It was determined that there were no clots present, and that the vein looked a little inflamed. 

Otto was given the go ahead to start clear liquids this weekend.  Today we have graduated to all liquids.  He is still restricted to only a liter of fluid, since the majority of his nutrition is fluid form through his broviac.  He seemed quite happy with this news.

We spoke with the team, and there is still a question about if his lung is partially collapsed due to fluid pressing on it, or if there is an actual infection in there.  Since his counts are starting to rise, they will perform a repeat CT scan later in the week to see if the white cells are attacking something or if the fluid remains.  There is a question in regards to whether or not some liquid should be drained to confirm if there is an infection as well.  The team is going to review the previous scans with the surgeon and a plan will be developed.  It looks like we are hoping to obtain an ANC of 1000 in order to go to surgery, however, the plan may change based on today's discussion with the surgeon.  Our wish is that people continue to pray and send positive vibes, for we truly believe that those thoughts help boost Otto's spirits and his ability to fight.

Thank you again to everyone who has passed our blog along.  We can see and feel that there are more people pulling for him.  Otto's journey is one that has had some major road blocks thrown his way.  Although we keep taking detours, our family knows that he will reach the destination of living a cancer free life.  Otto has shared his excitement about the day he will be able to get back on the field and in the pool. He also continues to talk about what he will do when he returns to school.  It's the strong faith and power of positivity from others surrounding us both near and far that help our guy stay in this mind frame.  And for that, we thank you. 

With faith and gratitude,

Mark, Leigh, Otto, Tess and Lulu

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, October 24th, 25th and 26th

So many things have been happening since we last posted.  There have been many meetings, discussions, and realizations we have had. A few days ago, Otto started showing signs of bleeding.  The doctors have decided it could be one of two things.  It could be related to his infection in his intestines or it could be a sign of the fungal infection spreading.  After reviewing scans and speaking to the surgical team, the team feels this is related to the fungal infection.   The fungal infection is one that is extremely rare.  It is also one that is very difficult to treat.  We were hopeful that with a building ANC alongside the three antifungals, that Otto's body would be able to contain the fungus.  Instead, his body is showing signs of it spreading.  The team will send him for another scan towards the end of next week to see if there are any differences in size of the three masses on his liver.   We have also researched and reached out to another hospital.  The particular

Wednesday and Thursday, November 28th and 29th

Otto has been fighting hard these last two days.  However, we are pleased to say that last night was a great one for him.  Otto was able to sleep pretty well with little coughing and no visible signs of bleeding from the lungs.  He is still dealing with the cutis spot that has been growing in his mouth, but can take meds in order to prevent it from bleeding.  Today was a great day.  Otto woke up, ready to go around 7am.  He wanted to take a shower, which he did, followed by taking a walk.  We all went out to the Healing Garden where we found it to be a little too windy.  Otto was convinced that he needed to go back in and quick! Our wonderful friend from Child Life at Yale stopped by with a special gift for our family.  She brought us a  6ft Christmas tree (artificial, of course).  We brought ornaments from home and had a decorating party.  Otto was really happy that we could all be together sprucing up the tree and playing Daddy's new favorite game, What's your Favorite? 

Monday thru Thursday December 3rd - 6th

Hello Everyone, Last chance to get an Otto Strong T-shirt if you haven't already. Here is the link: www.rsvpinvitations.net/shop. Order by Sunday. It has been a long difficult week. Otto's nights are still restless with bathroom trips, occasional coughing, nose bleeds, and nausea. We've peeled back some meds to help relieve some of these side effects making him more comfortable and we've increased his pain medication to alleviate his pain. His baby tooth bleeding has finally gotten under control after several days trying various techniques from some starch/potato powder, gauze with pressure, amicar(spelling), "magic mouthwash", gel gauze, to some surgical glue - sorry,  that was not too specific with the medical names, but rest assured it was a lot of attempts and failures, but finally not bleeding! Throughout it all we were down as low as a count of 2 for red blood cells and 8 for platelets. Otto received several bags for support.  Monday thru