12/24 6:55 pm

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Probably with Ethan’s left kidney. No one really knows where Ethan’s left kidney is. At rounds this morning I was asked if Ethan had any imaging done in the past to confirm he has a left kidney.  I, with a straight face, told them that he sometimes tucks it under his liver to preserve his internal temperature which was why he has a fever. Watching them process that information was priceless and was a gift I gave myself on this fine Christmas Eve.

I watched their faces transform into thinking faces. Furloughed brows, awkward glances toward one another. Then I busted up laughing. “I am not being serious” I said. You could see the deep breaths of relief escape them.  As they started to chuckle. I think they are starting to get used to me. It’s like I get a new audience every week. They rotate through. Each week is a blank canvas just waiting for a splash of my dazzling personality to hit it. A color like no other.

The renal specialist came in and said that Ethan’s right kidney is measuring slightly larger than normal. Of course it is.  What is the appropriate response to this? My response was “of course it is abnormal”.  Apparently a kidney in a kid his size is 9-11 cm.  Ethan’s is 14 cm. Apparently if a kidney is a little larger it could mean the other kidney is missing, located in the wrong area or not working as well as it should. Good thing we are all born with a back up. They suspect the right one is doing all the work due to it’s size. His kidney values are trending down which is great news and all these adjustments they have done have helped tremendously.

They said there is a chance that he has so much fluid in his abdomen that it was unable to be seen. They are going to re-ultrasound him in a month. To me it seems to be not a concern because they are waiting so long.

Because Ethan is developing a bed sore, they have inserted a what I call a “flotation device” (my medical terms are way better than theirs) to offset the amount of weight on him tailbone at the sight of the sore. This will make sure his sore doesn’t progress as well as if there is a flood on the 9 th floor, he is all set! He can float away to safety.

Ethan got his lines switched over for his Christmas Eve. All fresh IV lines, pumps and poles. Out with the old, in with the new.  It’s like he was being attacked by octopus’ (or octopi?) with all the IV lines tangled around him.

I have been playing Christmas themed shows for Ethan all day. I hope he likes them. I am trying to pick ones that I think he would like.

Ethan has a cool respiratory therapist that loves him. This guy is awesome! He dotes over Ethan and goes above and beyond for the nurses. Tonight he came in to give Ethan his treatments even though he technically isn’t his respiratory therapist, just so he could say Hi and chat. I always look forward to seeing him. Then the other therapists come in and I like them but not as much as the cool respiratory guy. Plus he gave me a great margarita recipe so, I mean, he’s pretty awesome!

Today the plan was to try the middle of the road dose of lung pressure medication for 24 hours. So far his lung pressures have responded. They have been hanging around the lowest I have seen them in over a week.

As this night winds down I will look out my high in the sky window for signs of Santa and his sleigh. Even though this Christmas has been weird for everyone, I hope that you are able to find your bright spot and enjoy the little things. Those are what are most important. ❤️

I say cheers to everyone. I am having a Paloma and am glad for our successful day today. Thank you for your continued support. Merry Christmas 🎄