Week 3 Update

I can't believe that it has been three weeks that Carter has been in the hospital.  I am sure that it seems much longer than that for Teresa, Erick and of course Carter.  


Carter is doing as well as can be expected.  He is stable and is still a very happy little boy.  He still needs constant medication to control his vital organs.  His liver continues to be enlarged, and his BNP levels are higher than the doctors would like.  BNP levels indicate the level of heart failure, suffice to say, Carter's levels are really high.  For the most part they are managed through medication, but recently they have started to climb.  This has the doctors a bit concerned and they continue to monitor these levels and are working diligently to get the right mixture of medication to care for these factors.


Teresa and Erick try to keep him active by taking Carter for walks around the hospital halls.  He gets winded pretty easily because of the physical exertion but they need to keep him moving around as much as possible.

Carter has enjoyed quite a few visitors including is Grandma Monica who came over from Eastern Washington, his Aunt Kim and cousin Ilijah, and many others who have stopped by to wish him well, and cheer him up.  Carter loves to laugh and play and loves time with his friends and family.  Thank you to everyone who has been able to stop by the hospital.  It is a blessing to Carter and Erick and Teresa!

The family as a whole is getting used to this new "normal" and settling in to somewhat of a routine.  It is clear that they may be in this situation for a long time so they are trying very hard to make sure that they are able to give Carter all of the attention and care that he needs while ensuring that Madison and Clinton are well cared for and get special Mommy and Daddy time.  This past weekend they were able to go to the Seattle zoo with Erick and his mom, Monica.  I have also heard a rumor that Daddy Erick has a special date to the Daddy-Daughter dance coming up at Madison's school.

Thank you as always for your continued support and prayers for Carter and his entire family.  Their strength is enhanced by the love and support of this very large network of friends and family.

God Bless.