Cleared for transplant

Well, almost. The spinal tap came back clean--no rogue white cells found in Sam's spinal fluid--and that's great news. We don't know why his fontanelle was puffy (if only for a day), but if the transplant team is satisfied, we're satisfied. The only things left are a few tests that he's not expected to fail (e.g., hepatitis) but that they have to know he doesn't have. So, one last weekend at home with Sam before we begin the long haul.

Or so we thought.

Yesterday I clipped Sam's left thumb while cutting his nails. Sam didn't flinch, and there was no blood, but I lopped off a piece of skin. I put rubbing alcohol on it (still no flinching) and some antibiotic ointment, then more or less forgot about it.

This morning Alyson noticed that the area around the wound was a little red and inflamed. Infection?!? I called the hospital for guidance--now is not the time to take anything for granted. On their advice, we went to the ER. Blood tests confirmed that his immune system is, for the moment, quite capable of dealing with a minor infection.

But that didn't stop us from being there for five hours while they drew blood, tested it, consulted, ordered antibiotics, infused antibiotics, flushed IV line, etc. We'll return tomorrow for a second dose and will have to give Sam an oral antibiotic for a week. Nothing is quick or easy at the hospital.

We're home now. I just finished doing some stuff in the kitchen that I'd started this morning. Alyson took a nap and is now reading while Sam sleeps on her tummy. Our version of normal.

P.S. Sorry, no pix this time. How about some cat videos?

P.P.S. OK, here's one:

The Great Betrayal: Attacked by his own burp cloth.