Inching Closer To Yellow

The Smile Is Back!

It’s been a few days since the last post, but we have continued progress.  Cutler’s fever is now being controlled by Tylenol and is no longer spiking as high as previously.  He is still experiencing nausea, but with medicine he is able to keep more milk down.  Sally.  However, that being said he isn’t drinking nearly as much or as often as he was. Is. His mouth is filled with sores and I would guess that his throat is sore as well.  Great.  Thus decreasing his desire to drink, but fear not he is on a TPN drip as well as lipids.  I know, Aaron please stop using big words.  TPN is the nutrition and the lipids are basically the good fats that he requires.

His blood counts continue to improve daily and you can see his spirits changing in pace with his blood improvements.  His white cells are now coming back and joining in on the fight and perhaps in a day or two the nurses will not longer need to gown, glove, AND mask.  (  <— answer to previous post)  Once the fever is gone I will feel comfortable moving us to Yellow.  For now, he does still have flashes of his old playful self, including at 3:30 am when he suddenly loses the fever and the anti nausea medicine kicks in. 

Some other great news, not to hide it in this post, but we did find a cord blood match!  A perfect six point match.  Dr. Weinthal said that looking at the blood alone you might think they were twins.  This was extra special news to receive over the weekend that really put some much-needed pep in our step as we began to celebrate Halloween with our little pumpkin hanging in the hospital with Grandma and Papa.  Not sure of any timelines yet and we still have to figure out where this is going to happen. 

Our current insurance, Aetna, is requiring the transplant to occur at one of their “Centers of Excellence”.  Unfortunately our hospital is not recognized as this, but there is one in Ft. Worth.  However, our doctors have reached out to Aetna to see if there is something that can be worked out to be able to keep Cutler with his extended family instead of introducing a whole new staff into the fold and requiring us to commute to Ft. Worth for the next several months.

We also had an action packed weekend with Mason’s last soccer game and a great Halloween tradition pushing through its second year.  Will try to get something out about that later this evening.  Until then, below is the after picture from above.  🙂

Cutler realizing his dad is leaving

9 thoughts on “Inching Closer To Yellow

  1. Oh, my! Cutler looks so much better in his pictures than he did a few days ago. He is such a handsome young man. It looks like the prayers for Cutler’s recovery are working. Hopefully, his mouth sores will go away soon, too.
    That was great news about the cord blood match. We will continue our prayers for Cutler—-and all of Team Fricke.
    Love,
    Aunt Linda & John

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  2. I am so happy to see the smile on Cutlers face.

    He was so cute in his pumpkin outfit, but the smile

    and sparkle in his eyes was missing. Can hardly wait

    to see Cutler and Mason soon.

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  3. I just got back from my visit to the Convent where I put Cutler on their prayer list too.
    It was nice to see his fever is better than when I left and that his sweet, sweet smile is back. Also, it’s such good news about the cord blood match…prayers are being answered!
    Please tell Grandma Carol that Beau is happy and not to worry. My kitty is tickled that Beau’s bed is back and Beau seems happy to get to sleep in the ‘people bed’ again!
    Please know my prayers are with you.
    Love, Grandma Pam

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  4. The match is the best news I have heard in a long, long time. We are continuing to send up prayers for Cutler, his big brother, Mommy and Daddy. Love you all.

    Don and Linda

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  5. Thanks Cutler for being so happy this morning and playing with Grandma & Papa. It’s been a while since you have felt like playing with us. It makes leaving you tomorrow a lot easier. We’ll be back soon. Tell Mommy, Daddy and big brother we love you all lots. Love, Grandma & Papa

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  6. Very excited to hear the news of the match. We continue to send our thoughts and prayers your way. Hope the insurance figures out it’s not always about the best deal for them. It’s what is best for the patient and their family. Cutler is in a very good place and receiving wonderful care. Don’t give up the fight with Aetna. Stay positive and strong! Lots of love, Angie

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  7. It’s so nice to see Cutler’s smile! What fantastic news that there is a cord blood match. Hoping that the insurance situation works out to your benefit.

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  8. Love the pictures, you are doing a great job dad and mom!
    So glad for the news of a match, praying for this fever to go away completely and for his next steps. Praying for the insurance issues , and for the best care for Cutler. Prayers and Hugs from us at FC
    Hand in Hand Prayer Team at FellowshipChurch.

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