Latest News about baby Caleb Rodriguez
The Rodriguez family posted an update on baby Caleb's situation. In case you missed it, Caleb was born in early November to a missionary couple supported by the College Church of Christ in Fresno. Caleb's grandfather, Dan Rodriguez, grew up in Fresno at the College Church. I've posted about Caleb's situation several times.
They are in a quandary as to what they need to do next. Should they go back to China? Should they stay in the U.S.? Caleb's full situation probably won't be known until he begins to develop more, but that could be many months down the road. Then they will be able to monitor his development to see what damage he may have received due to his condition at birth. They covet your prayers.
The following note was posted on Christmas day.
Dearest friends and family,
Our family continues to be blessed by your constant prayers and loving support. We have been comforted knowing that you are with us throughout this difficult journey.
On Friday December 17th, Caleb was discharged from the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. All his tests for genetic disorders came back negative! We praise God for this news for many reasons (one of them being that Caleb’s insurance does not cover any genetic disorders.) According to the LA Children’s Hospital technician, Caleb’s twenty-four-hour EEG revealed that Caleb was no longer having seizures. Marcus and Julia had their doubts. Despite our uneasiness, doctors released Caleb saying that because he’s been stable, he doesn’t need to be in the hospital. They warned however, that if Caleb’s blood sugar dropped again or he began showing signs of hypoglycemia (e.g. extreme fatigue, lethargy, seizures), he should be immediately hospitalized.
Soon after being discharged, Marcus, Julia, Caleb and Jeanette drove to Fresno to be with our friend Dr. Hutchison, a pediatric neurologist. After observing Caleb, Dr. Hutchison concurred with the hospital technician that Caleb was indeed seizure-free. The fact that Caleb is not having seizures gives all of us a lot more peace.
Dr. Hutchison showed Caleb’s MRIs to his neurology team at UCSF. They theorized that Caleb’s brain injury was caused by hypoglycemia (due to hyperinsulinism) rather than by a genetic disorder. They also believe that the insults to his brain are not ongoing, which gives all of us, especially Marcus and Julia, a great deal of peace.
We thank God that since he was discharged a week ago, Caleb has been stable and has maintained healthy glucose levels. At this point, he’s doing everything that a healthy seven-week-old baby should be doing. Last week he even started smiling. (My Mom claims to be the first to receive the honor of being smiled at.) Marcus and Julia are checking his glucose levels every day and will be taking him to the hospital for weekly check-ups.
Marcus, Julia and Caleb will be spending Christmas and New Year’s with our family in Fresno. After that, Marcus and Julia will begin counseling to process the challenges of the past two months and to begin preparing for the challenges ahead. Please keep their counseling in your prayers.
Despite our delight over Caleb’s current stable condition, we are still anxious that he could relapse. There are still many unanswered questions. Doctors say that Caleb is still at great risk for seizures. Please keep Caleb in your prayers.
We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas. Near the top of our list is you! Thank you for your love and prayers.
Merry Christmas! We love you!
-- The Rodriguez Family
They are in a quandary as to what they need to do next. Should they go back to China? Should they stay in the U.S.? Caleb's full situation probably won't be known until he begins to develop more, but that could be many months down the road. Then they will be able to monitor his development to see what damage he may have received due to his condition at birth. They covet your prayers.
The following note was posted on Christmas day.
Dearest friends and family,
Our family continues to be blessed by your constant prayers and loving support. We have been comforted knowing that you are with us throughout this difficult journey.
On Friday December 17th, Caleb was discharged from the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital. All his tests for genetic disorders came back negative! We praise God for this news for many reasons (one of them being that Caleb’s insurance does not cover any genetic disorders.) According to the LA Children’s Hospital technician, Caleb’s twenty-four-hour EEG revealed that Caleb was no longer having seizures. Marcus and Julia had their doubts. Despite our uneasiness, doctors released Caleb saying that because he’s been stable, he doesn’t need to be in the hospital. They warned however, that if Caleb’s blood sugar dropped again or he began showing signs of hypoglycemia (e.g. extreme fatigue, lethargy, seizures), he should be immediately hospitalized.
Soon after being discharged, Marcus, Julia, Caleb and Jeanette drove to Fresno to be with our friend Dr. Hutchison, a pediatric neurologist. After observing Caleb, Dr. Hutchison concurred with the hospital technician that Caleb was indeed seizure-free. The fact that Caleb is not having seizures gives all of us a lot more peace.
Dr. Hutchison showed Caleb’s MRIs to his neurology team at UCSF. They theorized that Caleb’s brain injury was caused by hypoglycemia (due to hyperinsulinism) rather than by a genetic disorder. They also believe that the insults to his brain are not ongoing, which gives all of us, especially Marcus and Julia, a great deal of peace.
We thank God that since he was discharged a week ago, Caleb has been stable and has maintained healthy glucose levels. At this point, he’s doing everything that a healthy seven-week-old baby should be doing. Last week he even started smiling. (My Mom claims to be the first to receive the honor of being smiled at.) Marcus and Julia are checking his glucose levels every day and will be taking him to the hospital for weekly check-ups.
Marcus, Julia and Caleb will be spending Christmas and New Year’s with our family in Fresno. After that, Marcus and Julia will begin counseling to process the challenges of the past two months and to begin preparing for the challenges ahead. Please keep their counseling in your prayers.
Despite our delight over Caleb’s current stable condition, we are still anxious that he could relapse. There are still many unanswered questions. Doctors say that Caleb is still at great risk for seizures. Please keep Caleb in your prayers.
We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas. Near the top of our list is you! Thank you for your love and prayers.
Merry Christmas! We love you!
-- The Rodriguez Family
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