Submitted by Mike on Tue, 01/08/2008 – 5:35pm.
Hello All– We hope you all had a very Happy Holiday and we want to wish you a Happy New Year!! Sorry we haven’t updated this site in a while. Things around here have been crazy(as usual)!!
Before I fill you in on the latest with all of us Mike and I want to wish someone very special a Happy Birthday! TODAY IS BRANDON’S 3RD BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! While today is about cake and presents for Brandon it has a whole other meaning to Mike and I. When Brandon was born we were told that he would probably not live to see his 1st Birthday. So much has happened in the last 3 years but we are so thankful that we are still all together. Only God knows what the future holds for Brandon but we are so blessed to have him in our lives. HAPPY BIRTHDAY “KING BABY NOLAN” WE LOVE YOU– MOMMY and DADDY
After Brandon’s last hospital stay he seemed to be doing better. We were able to take Brandon home(to Florida) for Christmas. We had not been back home in over 5 months. We were all very excited. The trip started out with a 7 1/2 hour delay due to weather conditions. Then Mikes truck wouldn’t start. After getting off to a rocky start everyone had a great time. Brandon was so happy to see all of his family. We spent Christmas eve with Mike’s family and Christmas day with mine. Even though Brandon was a little concerned, Santa found him just fine in his Florida house!!! Brandon was in heaven playing with his cousins and visiting with everyone. While Brandon’s Birthday was still a few weeks away we managed to squeeze in a pizza party with all of his family!! The Doctors only cleared us for a few days but we tried to make the most of it. Brandon’s medical routine had to continue in Florida. His medications were delivered to our door and we had to take him for blood work 3 times during our short stay. Brandon developed a little cold after we arrived but managed to fight it off without a hospital admission. While in the airport security line we recieved a phone call from Brandon’s Doctor’s in Pittsburgh. Brandon’s most recent blood work had come back showing critically low blood levels and a white count of 2. They were very concerened and talked with us about needing to admit him as soon as we returned. We agreed to bring him in first thing in the morning and go from there.(Our flight back to Pitt. landed around midnight Friday the 28th) This was not the phone call we were expecting. Brandon didn’t get to bed till around 4am and we had a long day ahead of us. To top this all off this was Mike’s Birthday!!!(and he thought I was the only one lucky enough to spend it in a hospital!!!) We ended up spending 8 hours Saturday, 7 hours Monday, 5 hours Tuesday,and 8 hours Wednesday at the hospital. Every day included an E.R. visit where they had to give Brandon shots in the leg. We were all hoping not to have to admit him. So far the shots are working but not as well as they would like. We have started Brandon on some new medications and are keeping our fingers crossed that they work. On top of everything else his recent blood work has come back testing positive to the B.K. virus. The B.K. virus is something that is in the air everywhere. We all come in contact with it on a daily basis. People who are very immunosupressed can developed the virus at any time. First you test positive in your urine then it spreads to the blood. If not treated right away it spreads to the lymphnodes and can cause cancer. It is not something he can spread to others but it will attack his new Kidney. It has spread to his blood and we are trying to keep it from getting any worse. Brandon goes again in the morning to repeat his blood work. Let’s hope things don’t get any worse!!! Each week seems to bring new challenges but we contine to take things one day at a time. Here’s hoping that 2008 is a VERY HAPPY and HEALTHY Year!!!!! JULIE