Antibody Treatment # 3

DECEMBER(-ish) DIGEST

     It's been two months since we've posted a blog, so let me offer a recap of recent events in two sentences. Following the first antibody treatment we went home and prepared the house for Thanksgiving with Brian's family, went to a family wedding, and enjoyed a post-Turkey Day prandial event at Christie's family's place; all the while, Ethen slowly recuperated from antibody treatment and received the Accutane treatment mentioned in a previous post. We came back to the hospital in the second week of December for IL-2 treatment to ramp up Ethen's immune system, which was followed by Ethen's second antibody treatment; thankfully, we made it home prior to Christmas Day and we were able to spend time with family for the holidays—Ethen had a great two or three weeks, but unfortunately the other members of our house were crippled at different times by a couple bugs during December, which have finally gone away.

AN UPDATE ON ETHEN'S TREATMENT

     We returned to the hospital Sunday afternoon in preparation for Ethen's third treatment of antibody therapy. Today has gone as well as we could have hoped. This was the first time that Ethen has received the complete dose of antibody therapy on the first day. We are thankful, particularly since we were able to remove one drug (hydrocortisone) from the medicinal load, which in some studies has been associated with decreased effectiveness of antibody therapy. We hope Ethen's success in getting through today bodes well for the coming three days of therapy.

     Please pray that Ethen's body can recuperate prior to the next dose of antibody, which starts in 10 hours (10:00 a.m.). Ethen's developed some capillary leak syndrome, which affects his breathing. We are combatting this with various diuretic supplements. Please pray for Ethen's body to recover and be ready for another day tomorrow. Pray we can all rest and have strength to care for Ethen and one another.