Update from Carol Watts regarding Joanna's son Calvin who is in the hospital due to a blood clot. (as of 3/2)
Calvin's MRI this afternoon revealed largely what we were hoping for: the clot had not become larger, no brain damage in the way of seizures or strokes had occurred, and they will continue to leave him on the Heparin blood thinners. They installed a port today to make addition of meds and fluids a bit easier and drawing of blood as well I guess.
The clot is large. It is at the base of the skull where the veins lead out of the brain on the way down to the heart. Apparently if you were to vote, you would prefer a veinous clot over an arterial one? So yay.
He will stay in ICU for 2-3 more days because they want to monitor him constantly due to the size of the clot. Hopefully we move to outpatient shots of Heparin twice a day (yes, Jo can learn to do this...) for maybe up to 6 months by which time the clots should have dissolved.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Apparently a toddler can develop this if they become extremely dehydrated -- i.e., get sick, stop eating and drinking, and then start to vomit. PUSH THOSE POPSICLES, MOM AND DAD. It helps to weigh more than 30 pounds.
What can you do? Frankly, leave 'em alone because parents are not resting and getting really worn thin. But you can send a little card via the Childrens Mercy website. http://www.childrensmercy.org/
Then click on Patients and Families
To the right you will see SEND A CARD
Name is Calvin Patrick Bramlett, he is 3 years old and is in PICU for a room number.
We have Lucas for now, someone else has the dog, another family member is medically astute and running interference with the physicians and translating all of it, so I think we have the bases covered for now.
We appreciate you all so much. Thank you for caring.
Greater Kansas City Day this year is Friday, April 1. The Royals home opener will be Sunday, April 3rd vs. New York Mets.
Our website, www.kcday.org is a great place to direct individuals to learn more about Greater Kansas City Day, and even make donations online.
The volunteer celebration tent and game will be Thursday, April 21, Kansas City vs. Detroit Tigers. Tickets to this game will be available to volunteers. We will host a celebration tent, in Lot N42, at Kauffman Stadium, with BBQ, beverages and live music from 3-5:30pm. The game begins at 6:10pm.
