My "Little Engine that Could" beat Kawasaki Disease

Thanks so much for all the prayers! After three days in the hospital, Tyler is home and recovering well. He still needs to regain strength and coordination in his legs, but all Flu B and Kawasaki Disease symptoms are gone.

We went to the pediatrician yesterday, and Tyler's vitals all look great. Dr. Alvis said that there are not that many cases of Kawasaki Disease in America, which explains why this is the first time most of our doctors have seen and treated this auto-immune condition. With treatment, Tyler has an 80 percent chance of full recovery. Only around 20-25 perfect of patients have longterm heart complications, although that number drops when treatment is given. And 97 percent of patients, who have received the IVIG treatment, never have a recurrence of the disease! We will always have to be cognizant of it, mentioning it to all doctors and coaches as part of his medical history. But that is just a precaution. Dr. Alvis is entirely optimistic that he will never have any problems, since we caught and treated it very early. If you would like to read more about the disease, here is a good summary. 

As for the IVIG treatment being administered incorrectly, it should not have adverse effects. I spoke with one of the hospital's medical directors today, and he said Tyler received the correct dose just over a much shorter time period. Apparently, the nurses followed the dosing guidelines for someone who was taking a secondary treatment. It was such a blessing that Tyler did not have any life-threatening side effects. There were also a few other "medical errors" that the hospital is investigating.

Tyler is a very strong and resilient little boy. While in the hospital, we watched his favorite movie "The Little Engine that Could" nearly 20 times. It was pretty much on repeat in the room, as it was the only thing that would calm him down. The nurses named him, "choo choo."

As for continued prayer, here are some specific ways you can lift up our family:

• Tyler has a second echocardiogram on May 10. Tyler must be sedated for the three-hour test, and it is scary for him. Please pray that God gives him peace and eases his fears. Please also pray that no heart abnormalities are found! 
• Tyler has an appointment with the cardiologist on May 16. Again, please pray that all tests come back that Tyler will have NO longterm heart complications. We are asking that God will spare our little boy from anymore pain!
• The hospital stay was very traumatic for little Tyler. He is petrified of doctors, nurses and medicine now. We fear that he has been having nightmares at home about the experience. Last night, he had to sleep in bed with us for the first time since he was six weeks old. Please pray that God takes away these fears and bad memories. 
• Selfishly, I'd like to ask for prayer for me. I'm exhausted. For the first couple days, I was traveling back and forth from the hospital and home, trying to nurse Grayson. It was wearing me out, so I later decided to pump and stay at the hospital. However, Tyler wasn't sleeping very well, so I stayed up almost nonstop for days. Since being home, Baby Grayson has been nursing every hour or so, so again ... no rest for the weary mommy. Please pray that God provides opportunities for sleep soon. 

Thank you all for your prayers and support of our family. I'm confident that God healed our little boy. We hope that we honor him by continued thanksgiving, glorifying him as best we can.

Oh, and I had to add this cute story. When we brought Tyler home from the hospital, he rushed in the house looking for his "babies." When he saw Grayson, he immediately looked down and gave him a fist bump.  He was like, "don't worry baby brother. I'm okay, see." I love this little guy more than words could ever express.