Monday morning

Zero change from yesterday. We are still waiting for Lincoln's INR levels to go up. They said they want to see it at a 2.5 before discharge is even an option, and he currently sits at a 1.6. They upped his Coumadin today, so we shall see how the next few days look. The doctors keep warning me about the effects if they overestimate, so I prefer the slow and steady approach to the fast and furious (even if it is depressing). I am really excited because I found a Coumadin app for my phone that charts his dosage, INR score, doctor appointments, medication reminders, and will even email a weekly or monthly chart to the doctors. It is pretty amazing. I also found another app that lists all of the risky medications, food, supplements, herbs, and explains why. Anyone that knows me is probably laughing because I love to organize. The doctors were laughing that Dr. Lacina is in trouble having to deal with me every day!

I am really nervous about the Coumadin INR levels because it fluctuates with everything. Teething, growing, eating, sleeping, illness, and antibiotics all affect the INR levels. The doctors keep warning me it will be a rough rest of the winter, trying to keep him healthy and adjusting his dosage. As anyone could imagine, that terrifies me. I have never dealt with a medication that is so inconsistent and risky. We have been told we should be able to get the co-ag machine, but probably not until the end of January. We will need training on it as well as ensuring its numbers match Devos' lab results.

So, I sit and wait. Patiently and impatiently, snuggling my littlest very tightly. I am thankful to have him here with us, grateful there are solutions, and hopeful that my family of five can be together soon. And we want to raise him as one of the boys. He may need extra care, attention, and precautions, but he will be a healthy boy. And we are so thankful for that this Christmas season. I no longer have to watch him in heart failure, and feel helpless. That is the best gift of all.