Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Update

Hello All! Alex and I wanted to start a site where everyone could get the updates on Alex easily and quickly. Hopefully this blog will help us pass along new information to all of our wonderful family and friends. We're not sure who knows what at this point, so here is a very short summary of what happened over the last week...

Alex went into the ER on Monday and was admitted to the hospital after CT and MRIs showed increased inflammation from his Crohn's disease. The GI doctors and colorectal surgeons are very concerned with the state that Alex's Crohn's is in right now. He has very severe inflammation, very low iron levels, and is severly malnurished due to his body trying to combat all of this and heal. So....the consensus has been to send us up to The Cleveland Clinic's Digestive Disease Institute which is supposed to be one of the top centers for inflammatory bowel disease in the world. We were so blessed to get an appointment very quickly...we will be leaving for Cleveland on Monday with an appointment on Tuesday (the 20th). We are staying until Sat. just in case they want to run any other tests later in the week. Hopefully from there we will know more about what the best way is to get the Crohn's under control. Until then, we are going to stay in the hospital (Shawnee Mission Medical Center) until the end of the week to get the most benefit from IV medications and nutrition before we go.

We are so very thankful for everyone's encouragement and prayers throughout all of this. This is a very brief explanation of what is going on, so please feel free to ask questions if something doesn't make sense. You get to the point where you forget what day it is, much less what information you have or haven't yet shared. :)

7 comments:

Unknown said...

HI Kids,
Thanks so much for keeping us up to date. God be with you on your trip. Reg and Bindy

Anonymous said...

Well, happy new year! Hopefully Cleveland will bring some well needed blessings. I am just a phone call away (and around the corner until you leave). God Bless - Mel

Nancy McKinnis said...

What a good idea.....Alex you do look pretty cute....still smiling. May you each be surrounded with special people God will place (and has already) in your path during this journey. Hugs and prayers!!

Anonymous said...

Alex and Gena know that God's angels surround you as you travel on this journey in life. I have no doubt that God has opened the door for you in Cleveland and many answers will be given to you. Love you lots and thanks for opening this blog up to keep us posted. May you continue to sense peace and rest in His love and healing.

Love you
Penny

Bronx's Mommy said...

Alex and Gena,
We are praying for a speedy recovery. I pray that you both may find sunshine in the days ahead. Plus it is time for another Phase 10 game I think. We love you!
Take care!
Love and Sunshine,
Ashley and Tyson

Anonymous said...

Gena and Alex,
We hope that your travels are well and that you hear only good news in the days to come! Again, please let us know if we can do anything for you since you are right down the road.... retrieve your mail, flush your toilets(so that your pipes don't freeze), turn lights on in your house, anything. We are here for you, love you and are praying for you.
Love,
The Johnson Fam

Anonymous said...

Hi, we are Jimmy's inlaws, and so happy to be able to keep up with you. You both are in our prayers and will continue to be. Have got the 20th on the calendar and hope for a conclusive report for you from the doctors. Lots of things we don't understand, but God holds us in the palm of His hand. Nothing takes Him by surprise. He is your strength and fortress!!