Mateo Health Update

So, this is the final of three posts today, because it has been so long since we have written any updates. That's because we have been battling health issues at our house for the past couple of weeks.

Two weeks ago we found out that Mateo had a positive test for Tuberculosis...turns out that he doesn't have active TB, but he was exposed to TB while in Guatemala, and they want to start him on some prophylactic treatment to prevent him from getting it. The treatment protocol is elaborate, with daily pills crushed in food, frequent weight checks to adjust the medication dosage based on his weight, and monthly lab draws to make sure the medication isn't hurting his liver. Good news is he is not infectious and can't give it to anyone. Bad news is, we will be treating him for the next 9 months to make sure he doesn't get an infection outbreak.

But, in order to be able to give him his medication for TB, he has to be able to keep food down, and for the last 6 days, he has had vomiting & diarrhea in various intervals. Needless to say, we went to the ER on Thanksgiving day only to be sent home to keep him hydrated orally. Well yesterday, it was clear that he wasn't intaking enough liquid, so we went back to the ER last night for an IV. It took about 40 minutes of crying (shrieking really) for them to get the IV in him, but man, saline is the wonder drug. He slept for the next 3 hours while he was getting fluids, then came home and slept all night...a first in almost a week. He's still filling diapers today, but we think (have our fingers crossed) that it is thickening up. I have to admit, there was no training for having to hold your baby down while they work on him, and who would have ever imagined I would hope for just poop in his diaper!

Things seem to be on the healing direction...we'll let you know if anything else monumental occurs. Hope you are happy and healthy...we have newfound appreciation for that phrase this week.

Love from Oregon, Sarah & Matt & Mateo