"How is Nathan Doing?"

     I apologize for those of you that have been following our most recent posts on Nathan's infliction. We were so exhausted yesterday when we made it in after picking up his brother at school, then arguing through homework, dinner, showers & rushing everyone off to an early bedtime. My husband is starting to get his energy back...a little more each day. He is still fighting a deep cough and I am noticing that, every once in a while, I have that same cough! Ugh!!
     At the visit we had with the Pediatric Orthopedic Specialist yesterday morning, Nathan had a few more x-rays after the initial examination. We returned to the exam room and waited for the Specialist to get the results from the x-rays. He reported that the swelling on Nathan's hips had gone down a little with the help of the Ibuprofen I had been giving him every four to six hours. That was good news but, he was slightly concerned with the elevated Creatine Kinase level in the blood work from Tuesday afternoon. He wrote orders for us to re-visit our new friends at the lab to see if Nathan's CK level had come down any. Nathan had mentioned how the nurses had done such a great job and that it didn't hurt at all. The Specialist thought that it would be a good idea to use the same place, because of Nathan having had such a good experience there. 
     Nathan went back to school this morning for his first day back in attendance since Monday. I spent most of the day up there working on PTA related duties, after getting him settled in his classroom. I had to talk with his regular education teacher and his special education teacher because of the restrictions that the Specialist put on Nathan's physical activity. Nathan can not participate in PE or go outside for recess until the Specialist feels that the inflammation on his hips has gone away and his muscles or joints have healed properly. Even though Nathan was glad to be back in school with his classmates and the weather has been nice enough for the students to enjoy recess outdoors, we would have to find something else to occupy those time periods. He loves playing outside daily, whenever possible, and interacting with others in his PE class that happens twice a week. 
     What bothers him the most is that he can't join his brother, when he goes to play with the neighborhood kids, after homework is completed. I know it must be difficult for him to understand but, I have tried to give him a few ideas of things that he can do to distract him from constantly focusing on it...who am I kidding?!? That is probably one of his expert skills!! This afternoon, he played quietly down the hall and waited for his brother to return home from playing outside. I noticed that the two of them were playing a Wii game together after dinner and gave them an extra thirty minutes because they were playing so nice. I like to try to reward them, as often as possible, so that they know that we are grateful that they have each other, as brothers and friends.
     Depending on Thursday's lab results, the follow-up appointment next Thursday morning with the Specialist might not be necessary. If Nathan's CK level has come down considerably, it would most likely mean that the Ibuprofen is working and that it isn't that serious. I am not going to let myself think about any other possibilities, even though I have briefly looked into them online. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we wait until the Specialist's office calls us with the most recent lab results. Nathan and his brother have been looking forward to attending G.O.T.C.H.A. the week of March 12-16 at Campfire USA's local Camp DaKaNi for the first week of Spring Break. It will all depend upon what the lab results show and if the Specialist thinks the physical activity would be too much, too soon. Have a blessed weekend!