April 18th, 2009
Lots to say, so prepare for a LONG update. Nothing bad, just my usual lack of updating the site. Where to start? I
guess I'll start with the medical stuff then go to the fun stuff.
--Last weekend we went to Chattanooga. Originally it was planned as mine and Robin's anniversary trip (without
kids). Levi ran a fever the week before we were to leave. We were at school and had to leave early to get him to the
pediatrician to get labs and such done. They started him on an antibiotic until the cultures were to come back. The
quick strep was positive, but they also did a throat culture and it came back positive for strep. All blood cultures and
the x-ray and stuff came back negative. He is now on his last day of the 10 day antibiotic they started him on. Toby
also ran a fever and we got him started on antibiotics too. Both of them are doing okay now and have not run a fever
since the original one.
--Levi had clinic this week. No changes were made. They said his weight was good, but said his growth in height
wasn't. They said that once he goes for his ostomy take-down next month and he has a line that they can draw blood
from, they want to check some of his hormone levels to make sure that isn't the cause for his slow growth. They also
said that it could just be from him being delayed from all the stuff he's had going on in his life. Just to give you an
idea of how short he is: His height is in the 3rd percentile for kids his age. He wears 12 month pants and he is 21
months old. He's cute as a button, though. They also wanted to check his sodium in his urine to see is he's peeing a
lot of it out. (This is an issue. We tried once at Cincinnati and twice here yesterday. He either don't pee enough or
the urine bag leaks out. I am going to try again Monday.) They said he may have to have a supplement because he
may not be holding on to enough of it, but once he has the reversal, that may straighten out. He may start absorbing
more once he is connected. So I guess that issue will be re-addressed after the ostomy surgery. His sugar has been
running low from the labs he's been having so they also checked his sugar with an accu-check. It was fine.
--He doesn't have to have labs again until next month--a week before his surgery. Hopefully that will be the case. He
wasn't supposed to have labs for a month this past time as well, but something kept coming up and he ended up
getting labs every week, I think. In case I haven't mentioned it, Levi's surgery is on the 19th of May. Pray he stays
well enough so that it can still take place as scheduled.
--One more thing before I get to the fun stuff. Last weekend, the little boy, Devin, that I've asked you all to pray for,
passed away. They had done all that they could, but had to make the choice to take him off the ventilator and leave
it in God's hands. He fought very hard until the end. At least now he is at peace and has no more pain. Please pray
for his momma and all his family and friends that are grieving this loss. It truly broke my heart. The services are today
in Florida and they are releasing balloons on the beach today after th funeral. I am sure it will be beautiful. I wish I
could go, but it is such a long way. I am going to draw a picture of him and send it to her. I hope she likes it. Others
are having their own balloon releases in his name. She said HUNDREDS of people have said they are doing this.
AMAZING that he has touched so many people. He will be missed by a lot of people. His mother is expecting a little
girl in a month or so. It is sad that she will never know her big brother. Here is his caringbridge site.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/devintoledo so you can take a peak at the precious angel's face.
--As I said we went to Chattanooga with the boys last weekend. It was really fun. We went to the aquarium, a
children's museum and Rock City. I wish we could get away more often.
--I guess that's all. Remember Devin's family in your prayers as well as Levi. We want to keep him healthy.
~~HUGS~~ Laurie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 28th, 2009
I just wanted to make a quick update. Not much new going on with Levi, but I got wonderful news to share and a
prayer request to make. A mother, Kymberly, just got "THE CALL" today that her baby girl is going to be getting her
transplant this evening in Miami!! Her name is Delilah. She is close to the age Levi was when he was transplanted
and she will be receiving the same organs as Levi did. Her and her mother have been on much the same road as
Levi and I, but she is a single mom and it has to be twice as hard. Please pray for her mom to have strength for the
days, weeks, and months ahead and especially during the critical time of the surgery. Pray that the transplant goes
well and she does well in her recovery. Here is her caringbridge page if you would like to keep updated on this
precious little girl. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/delilahmulling
I know what the mom is feeling right about now. Mostly RELIEF and HOPE, but also worry about the surgery and the
recovery afterward. I hope all goes well.
--Levi is quite well. He's mean as ever, but I love it. He's always getting into something. He's talking all the time. He
always happy and smiling and waving to strangers at Walmart and blowing them kisses. He's very much a show-off.
We got a Wii Fit recently and he really gets into the dance-step exercise. It's hilarious. I am going to try to get it on
video and post it for you all to see. He's still eating and drinking good. He keeps me laughing all the time. He gives
the best lovin' and hugs and kisses are plentiful.
--I am counting down the days until the ostomy take down. It is just 3 weeks from today!! Pray that he stays well
enough to go through the surgery.
--I forgot to mention this in my previous update, but April is Donate Life Month. Please encourage everyone you
know to become organ donors. Every day should be for this all year long, not just 30 days out of the year. I am very
devoted to this cause and hope that somehow Levi's story has touched at least one person to become an organ
donor.
--Everyone take care. Keep Delilah in your prayers as well as Levi. Also keep Devin Toledo's family in your prayers
as they are still grieving the loss of their baby boy.
~HUGS & KISSES TO ALL~ Levi says "Hel-lo!" in his sweet little voice and he'd give you a peck on the cheek if he
asked him.---Laurie
Lots to say, so prepare for a LONG update. Nothing bad, just my usual lack of updating the site. Where to start? I
guess I'll start with the medical stuff then go to the fun stuff.
--Last weekend we went to Chattanooga. Originally it was planned as mine and Robin's anniversary trip (without
kids). Levi ran a fever the week before we were to leave. We were at school and had to leave early to get him to the
pediatrician to get labs and such done. They started him on an antibiotic until the cultures were to come back. The
quick strep was positive, but they also did a throat culture and it came back positive for strep. All blood cultures and
the x-ray and stuff came back negative. He is now on his last day of the 10 day antibiotic they started him on. Toby
also ran a fever and we got him started on antibiotics too. Both of them are doing okay now and have not run a fever
since the original one.
--Levi had clinic this week. No changes were made. They said his weight was good, but said his growth in height
wasn't. They said that once he goes for his ostomy take-down next month and he has a line that they can draw blood
from, they want to check some of his hormone levels to make sure that isn't the cause for his slow growth. They also
said that it could just be from him being delayed from all the stuff he's had going on in his life. Just to give you an
idea of how short he is: His height is in the 3rd percentile for kids his age. He wears 12 month pants and he is 21
months old. He's cute as a button, though. They also wanted to check his sodium in his urine to see is he's peeing a
lot of it out. (This is an issue. We tried once at Cincinnati and twice here yesterday. He either don't pee enough or
the urine bag leaks out. I am going to try again Monday.) They said he may have to have a supplement because he
may not be holding on to enough of it, but once he has the reversal, that may straighten out. He may start absorbing
more once he is connected. So I guess that issue will be re-addressed after the ostomy surgery. His sugar has been
running low from the labs he's been having so they also checked his sugar with an accu-check. It was fine.
--He doesn't have to have labs again until next month--a week before his surgery. Hopefully that will be the case. He
wasn't supposed to have labs for a month this past time as well, but something kept coming up and he ended up
getting labs every week, I think. In case I haven't mentioned it, Levi's surgery is on the 19th of May. Pray he stays
well enough so that it can still take place as scheduled.
--One more thing before I get to the fun stuff. Last weekend, the little boy, Devin, that I've asked you all to pray for,
passed away. They had done all that they could, but had to make the choice to take him off the ventilator and leave
it in God's hands. He fought very hard until the end. At least now he is at peace and has no more pain. Please pray
for his momma and all his family and friends that are grieving this loss. It truly broke my heart. The services are today
in Florida and they are releasing balloons on the beach today after th funeral. I am sure it will be beautiful. I wish I
could go, but it is such a long way. I am going to draw a picture of him and send it to her. I hope she likes it. Others
are having their own balloon releases in his name. She said HUNDREDS of people have said they are doing this.
AMAZING that he has touched so many people. He will be missed by a lot of people. His mother is expecting a little
girl in a month or so. It is sad that she will never know her big brother. Here is his caringbridge site.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/devintoledo so you can take a peak at the precious angel's face.
--As I said we went to Chattanooga with the boys last weekend. It was really fun. We went to the aquarium, a
children's museum and Rock City. I wish we could get away more often.
--I guess that's all. Remember Devin's family in your prayers as well as Levi. We want to keep him healthy.
~~HUGS~~ Laurie
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 28th, 2009
I just wanted to make a quick update. Not much new going on with Levi, but I got wonderful news to share and a
prayer request to make. A mother, Kymberly, just got "THE CALL" today that her baby girl is going to be getting her
transplant this evening in Miami!! Her name is Delilah. She is close to the age Levi was when he was transplanted
and she will be receiving the same organs as Levi did. Her and her mother have been on much the same road as
Levi and I, but she is a single mom and it has to be twice as hard. Please pray for her mom to have strength for the
days, weeks, and months ahead and especially during the critical time of the surgery. Pray that the transplant goes
well and she does well in her recovery. Here is her caringbridge page if you would like to keep updated on this
precious little girl. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/delilahmulling
I know what the mom is feeling right about now. Mostly RELIEF and HOPE, but also worry about the surgery and the
recovery afterward. I hope all goes well.
--Levi is quite well. He's mean as ever, but I love it. He's always getting into something. He's talking all the time. He
always happy and smiling and waving to strangers at Walmart and blowing them kisses. He's very much a show-off.
We got a Wii Fit recently and he really gets into the dance-step exercise. It's hilarious. I am going to try to get it on
video and post it for you all to see. He's still eating and drinking good. He keeps me laughing all the time. He gives
the best lovin' and hugs and kisses are plentiful.
--I am counting down the days until the ostomy take down. It is just 3 weeks from today!! Pray that he stays well
enough to go through the surgery.
--I forgot to mention this in my previous update, but April is Donate Life Month. Please encourage everyone you
know to become organ donors. Every day should be for this all year long, not just 30 days out of the year. I am very
devoted to this cause and hope that somehow Levi's story has touched at least one person to become an organ
donor.
--Everyone take care. Keep Delilah in your prayers as well as Levi. Also keep Devin Toledo's family in your prayers
as they are still grieving the loss of their baby boy.
~HUGS & KISSES TO ALL~ Levi says "Hel-lo!" in his sweet little voice and he'd give you a peck on the cheek if he
asked him.---Laurie
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