Another update on our newest arrival

[John Etherton]

Hey Everyone,

It's been a week since our first update and I'm happy to report that Colt is doing much better. He's now off of oxygen and is breast and bottle feeding. His white blood cell count has continued to fluctuate.  In the last few days it's gone up to near normal levels. The doctors tell us if this continues for a few more days he'll be able to get home.

The doctors still don't know the cause of his breathing issues or his white blood cell (neutrophil) counts. They did a test to check if he had any antibodies fighting his neutrophils and it came back negative. They also tested for virus and bacterial infections, and those tests came back negative. The doctors have considered doing more invasive tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, to help us understand what is happening. However, for now they have  decided against it since his numbers seem to be improving on their own.  We understand that in many cases, neutropenia in infants resolves on its own with no explanation.  We hope to be on that track.  

Carrie continues to do well.  We all look forward to having Colt home and are thankful for the care he's receiving. Below are a couple of pictures of colt without oxygen tubes, feeding tubes, or IVs.  

Thanks for all of your support and prayers. 

John.