One Month Home ~

Wow!!! I can hardly believe that it has been another month of being home. Alot has happened since my last journal entry.

Quinn had a bleed and was in the hospital for three days one month ago today. He had a nose bleed that would not stop and brought us to the ER one day and to the hospital the next day to be admitted. The first visit he quit bleeding while we were there so they released us. The following day he was still bleeding and was getting weak. Honestly, the doctors did not take me seriously the 5 times that I called in 20 hours. Finally, they told me that if I was uncomfortable to bring him in - WHAT!! So, after being in ER/Trauma for one hour with continued bleeding they drew blood and started an IV. The bleeding became more persistant and Afrin was only working for a short time at that point. He started becoming lethargic and had to have a sternum rub to wake up. Finally, the administered RBC and was talking about giving platelets if the RBC werent enough. After many conversations of describing what his diagnosis and treatment had been in China they finally decided that packing the nose was the way to go. Hello!! Immediately after packing his nose the bleeding had slowed down and finally stopped after a short time. The pressure of putting the packing in the nose stopped the vessels from bleeding. We stayed another 24 hours so that observations could be made on his bleeding and to run a few more blood tests. I think we had every Hematologists in the hospital there to check up on us. We received good care once we were in the hands of the right doctors. With Quinn being anemic, his blood was already thinner then the IV thinned the blood out more which caused more bleeding. Anyway, you get the picture. At the end of our visit they assured me that the next time I called I would be taken more seriously when I told them he was bleeding! I guess it was difficult for them without having an "American Diagnosis".

After several more lab tests it has been determined that he has a very rare bleeding disorder and is the 193rd person in the US to have it. Thrombasthenia is our culpret! The physicians are checking internationally to see if there is further treatment or testing available for it. After persistance, they gave me meds to help him in the event of another bleed!!! Yeah for Mommy!!

Quinn lost a tooth about 2 weeks ago and now has another loose. It was 12 long hours of bleeding and took 3 doses of meds and multiple packings to get it to stop. What a strong and brave boy we have!!

This is our second week of school and he is doing well with it. It is amazing how well he is doing and the handwriting on this little guy is awesome! He writes like he has been doing this all his life. Math and telling time are also strong points too. We are working on a reward system both at school and at home with stickers and a calendar so that he can visibly see good behavior. This seems to be doing well for him the past couple of days. We have had a few bumps and bruises along the way with differences in customs, house rules and the grieving process.

Funny story ~ tonight he wasnted to call his friend in Texas so we did. While I was on the phone talking with her Daddy aroudn the corner Quinn came running "Mommy come here now please!" He sounded a little shaken so I hurried up. He opened the door to the microwave to a blaze of fire!!!! What ~ I couldnt believe this ... it was our medicine that I had picked up today!!! It was printed in blue and white like a popcorn back so am thinking that is what he thought it was and popped it in. It took several cups of what to put the fire out!!! I have let him use the microwave with my direction supervision only. I guess he was feeling independent and thought he could do it himself to! We will have a little conversation about that also. Owen said, well I guess my medicine with taste a little dry tonight!