Latest on Baby Caleb Rodriguez
Here's the latest information on baby Caleb, as posted on their Caring Bridge account.
Caleb is growing well at Los Angeles Children’s hospital since his Med-evac flight from across the world. He is now huge and fat! Marcus reports that he looks like a bouncer—no neck just a roll at his shoulders and then his head.
You can view new, higher-quality photos of Caleb on Marcus' Facebook account:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244205&id=716698509&1=c6f9cd01ea
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247854&id=716698509&1=3b46c6959c
Roller coaster recovery
After just two-and-a-half days in the U.S., the American doctors successfully weaned Caleb off of his IV and transferred him out of the ICU. This surprised Marcus and Julia because the Chinese doctors had tried to take Caleb off the IV twice, and both times, Caleb’s glucose immediately dropped to scary lows. His parents remained cautiously optimistic during Caleb’s first few days off the IV while the doctors monitored him closely.
Unfortunately after the 4th day, Caleb once again became very lethargic. First his parents, and then nurses couldn’t wake him up at one point.
Back on the IV
Caleb's severe lethargy scared Marcus and Julia, so Marcus spent a whole afternoon trying to convince doctors to put him back on the IV. Doctors knew Caleb’s symptoms weren’t normal, but they resisted returning him to the IV because the numbers showed his blood glucose levels were normal. Marcus reasoned that he has only seen Caleb show symptoms when he is off the IV, and until they can find out what’s wrong, they don’t want to risk any damage. The doctors finally agreed, and after he returned to the IV, Caleb started acting like a normal baby again. Aside from throwing up once a day, thankfully Caleb has not shown any abnormal symptoms since that one episode.
But then that brings everyone back to the where they were in China more than a month ago—waiting on an IV for test results.
No diagnosis yet
The U.S. doctors re-did most of the basic tests performed on Caleb in China, and once again, they all came back normal. Once again, Caleb doesn’t have a diagnosis, and so doctors can’t start on any treatment.
The doctors sent away samples for a couple of new, advanced genetic tests, but those results won’t come back until December 26th—earliest.
Doctors also did another EEG, which did indicate that Caleb continues to have seizures. Some of the nurses witnessed these seizures, which most people wouldn’t know to identify as seizures at all. They’re more like eye deviations. Caleb’s eyeballs turn to the side for a few seconds and then come back. Nurses only noticed the seizures when Caleb was off the IV.
Marcus and Julia want to keep Caleb on the IV until Caleb can be diagnosed and treated, but doctors are reluctant to do that. Caleb would have to have a surgically inserted pick-line that drips glucose directly at the mouth of his heart, but doctors don’t see the need for that if his glucose levels seem normal.
Los Angeles Children’s Hospital
Despite tensions over the IV, Marcus and Julia are very happy with their new hospital. Every time a nurse or doctor reports to them or does something to Caleb, they introduce themselves and their title and say why they are there. Then they freely answer questions from Caleb’s parents. It’s a huge change from China. The only new challenge is that they are in a four person room now, which means that it's always loud and active.
Thankfully, Marcus and Julia landed a peaceful room a the Ronald McDonald house, which is only a three-minute walk away from the hospital. Halfway between the hospital and the Ronald McDonald house is a Vons…and that pretty much sums up the places that Marcus and Julia have been during their 10 day stay in the U.S.
Helpers
Marcus and Julia have received a lot of encouragement from friends and family—particularly Chanille Scroggins, Meredith McCollum and Caleb’s Aunt Monica. They are especially thankful for people who have agreed to spend the night at the hospital with Caleb recently. Marcus at first tried to spend every night at Caleb's bedside, until he started losing his mind for lack of sleep.
Marcus’ good friend and China missionary partner, Marcus Riley, was one of the people who stayed one night with Caleb. Marcus Riley’s Chinese wife, Alexandra, also stayed with Caleb and cooked two Chinese meals for Julia. The food was much needed therapy for Julia’s stomach and soul!
Marcus and Julia also will be looking for a Chinese church near their home so that Julia can have a taste of home on Sundays.
**Marcus and Julia gladly welcome occasional low-key visitors. Anyone who wants to visit is asked to write them first to see when would be a good time: **marcusandjulia@gmail.com**
They especially ask for continued prayers....
Prayer requests
-That Caleb will no longer become frighteningly lethargic
-That doctors will be able to find a diagnosis soon
-That an upcoming MRI will show healing to any damage to Caleb's brain
-That Marcus and Julia can start to get some real rest
-That Marcus and Julia will be alert and sensitive to Caleb's symptoms but not oversensitive or anxious.
Caleb is growing well at Los Angeles Children’s hospital since his Med-evac flight from across the world. He is now huge and fat! Marcus reports that he looks like a bouncer—no neck just a roll at his shoulders and then his head.
You can view new, higher-quality photos of Caleb on Marcus' Facebook account:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244205&id=716698509&1=c6f9cd01ea
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247854&id=716698509&1=3b46c6959c
Roller coaster recovery
After just two-and-a-half days in the U.S., the American doctors successfully weaned Caleb off of his IV and transferred him out of the ICU. This surprised Marcus and Julia because the Chinese doctors had tried to take Caleb off the IV twice, and both times, Caleb’s glucose immediately dropped to scary lows. His parents remained cautiously optimistic during Caleb’s first few days off the IV while the doctors monitored him closely.
Unfortunately after the 4th day, Caleb once again became very lethargic. First his parents, and then nurses couldn’t wake him up at one point.
Back on the IV
Caleb's severe lethargy scared Marcus and Julia, so Marcus spent a whole afternoon trying to convince doctors to put him back on the IV. Doctors knew Caleb’s symptoms weren’t normal, but they resisted returning him to the IV because the numbers showed his blood glucose levels were normal. Marcus reasoned that he has only seen Caleb show symptoms when he is off the IV, and until they can find out what’s wrong, they don’t want to risk any damage. The doctors finally agreed, and after he returned to the IV, Caleb started acting like a normal baby again. Aside from throwing up once a day, thankfully Caleb has not shown any abnormal symptoms since that one episode.
But then that brings everyone back to the where they were in China more than a month ago—waiting on an IV for test results.
No diagnosis yet
The U.S. doctors re-did most of the basic tests performed on Caleb in China, and once again, they all came back normal. Once again, Caleb doesn’t have a diagnosis, and so doctors can’t start on any treatment.
The doctors sent away samples for a couple of new, advanced genetic tests, but those results won’t come back until December 26th—earliest.
Doctors also did another EEG, which did indicate that Caleb continues to have seizures. Some of the nurses witnessed these seizures, which most people wouldn’t know to identify as seizures at all. They’re more like eye deviations. Caleb’s eyeballs turn to the side for a few seconds and then come back. Nurses only noticed the seizures when Caleb was off the IV.
Marcus and Julia want to keep Caleb on the IV until Caleb can be diagnosed and treated, but doctors are reluctant to do that. Caleb would have to have a surgically inserted pick-line that drips glucose directly at the mouth of his heart, but doctors don’t see the need for that if his glucose levels seem normal.
Los Angeles Children’s Hospital
Despite tensions over the IV, Marcus and Julia are very happy with their new hospital. Every time a nurse or doctor reports to them or does something to Caleb, they introduce themselves and their title and say why they are there. Then they freely answer questions from Caleb’s parents. It’s a huge change from China. The only new challenge is that they are in a four person room now, which means that it's always loud and active.
Thankfully, Marcus and Julia landed a peaceful room a the Ronald McDonald house, which is only a three-minute walk away from the hospital. Halfway between the hospital and the Ronald McDonald house is a Vons…and that pretty much sums up the places that Marcus and Julia have been during their 10 day stay in the U.S.
Helpers
Marcus and Julia have received a lot of encouragement from friends and family—particularly Chanille Scroggins, Meredith McCollum and Caleb’s Aunt Monica. They are especially thankful for people who have agreed to spend the night at the hospital with Caleb recently. Marcus at first tried to spend every night at Caleb's bedside, until he started losing his mind for lack of sleep.
Marcus’ good friend and China missionary partner, Marcus Riley, was one of the people who stayed one night with Caleb. Marcus Riley’s Chinese wife, Alexandra, also stayed with Caleb and cooked two Chinese meals for Julia. The food was much needed therapy for Julia’s stomach and soul!
Marcus and Julia also will be looking for a Chinese church near their home so that Julia can have a taste of home on Sundays.
**Marcus and Julia gladly welcome occasional low-key visitors. Anyone who wants to visit is asked to write them first to see when would be a good time: **marcusandjulia@gmail.com**
They especially ask for continued prayers....
Prayer requests
-That Caleb will no longer become frighteningly lethargic
-That doctors will be able to find a diagnosis soon
-That an upcoming MRI will show healing to any damage to Caleb's brain
-That Marcus and Julia can start to get some real rest
-That Marcus and Julia will be alert and sensitive to Caleb's symptoms but not oversensitive or anxious.
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