Continuing to Fight...

We received news yesterday that Colin needed yet another transfusion (back-to-back) because his hematocrit wasn't quite what the doctors were looking for. This makes it 3 full blood transfusions and 1 platelet transfusion. We were also told that any blood transfusions would come from the same donor to minimize risk of infection. Well, that unfortunately didn't happen and Colin has had 2 different donors now. Apparently the first donor's blood expired, and that person didn't donate any newer blood. It makes sense, and we're happy that there is even blood to be donated, but wish there was more consistency. It almost makes me wonder why people who donate aren't contacted when their blood is administered to someone to explain that their blood is currently being used and that more is needed if they would be willing to donate more? I'm sure there are issues, legal or otherwise, that don't allow for this, but it would be nice.
Colin's bilirubin is also elevated meaning he has become more jaundiced. Enough so that the doctor ordered an ultrasound of his liver and gall bladder to rule out a biliary duct obstruction. The thought is that this jaundice accumulated with the continued use of the hyperal IV fluids, but they don't know unless the ultrasound is done. We expect those results tomorrow. If it is secondary to the hyperal, Colin will be given a medication to counteract the jaundice and eliminate much of the bilirubin from his system.
The nurses also had to temporarily discontinue his feedings due to the transfusions, but he's starting them back today. He is being kept on 24 calories though to ease him back in. He's starting to give the nurses more trouble when they do their assessments of him, which means he's likely starting to feel better. The thing is, we know he needs this stuff to make him better, bigger and stronger. But it just seems so unfair that this is his start to life. The saying is that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. Well, watch out world because our little guy is already stronger than most :-)