Landen's First Infusion

Landen saw the immunologist on December 16th. It was basically a routine follow-up appointment. Thankfully, the evaluation went well and Landen is doing good! We are so grateful for how well he is doing despite all of the sickness going around. While we were at Levine's Landen had to get some medicine through an IV. He should only have to do this one time due to some issues with insurance for another prescription. However, after two IV attempts they decided to check with the doctor about another method. Thankfully, the doctor approved for Landen to get the medicine through a breathing treatment.

He's so funny! :-)

The medicine mixed with the air from this tank and came through the tubes. He had to inhale it as it was dispensed which took about 45 minutes. He did great! He was really glad he didn't have to get stuck with a needle!

Landen had his first immunoglobulin infusion today at Levine Children's Hospital. They do the first one in the hospital to be sure he tolerates it well and that there aren't any adverse side effects or reactions. A nurse from Cincinnati flew in to help the nurses at the hospital since they don't do very many infusions like this. We received a box of supplies that we had to take to the hospital with us because they do not carry these supplies in the hospital. 

We will receive a shipment like this once a month with the medicine and all the supplies we need for that month. The infusion went great! It really couldn't have gone any better and we are so thankful! We arrived at the hospital at 7:30am. We had a nice, big room where Landen could watch TV or play a game and he was treated to drinks and snacks! He had it made!

The nurse went over all of the supplies with us and showed us everything they were doing. They got the infusion started around 9:20. The medicine is put in a syringe that is connected to two tubes with needles on the end. The syringe is placed in a pump. He was stuck in two sites on his stomach. Thankfully the needles are very tiny! They used numbing cream first! He said he didn't feel it and it didn't hurt! We are so glad because he was nervous about the needle!

During the infusion he ate breakfast and watched TV. He did great!! They checked his vitals before and during the infusion. The estimated time for the infusion was an hour and ten minutes but it ended up taking almost two hours. The nurse said the time can vary based on different factors. Landen's immunologist stopped by and visited for a few minutes. We really appreciated that! He is a great doctor and he obviously loves Landen. That means so much to us! He told us that he will likely need these infusions for a while even after the transplant. We were thinking he would only have to do it until transplant but the doctor told us he will be getting the medicine through a port while he is in the hospital for the transplant. Depending on how the transplant goes will determine how long he will need the immunoglobulin. The purpose of immunoglobulin is to replace antibodies that Landen's body does not make. The medicine he got through the breathing treatment as well as the infusions all serve to keep him healthy as we wait for the transplant. Please continue praying that he will not get sick.

We left the hospital around 11:30 and let Landen pick where to eat for lunch. Of course, he picked Taco Bell! LOL! It was a little overwhelming to see all of the supplies and to think we'll be doing this on our own soon. However, it seems very doable and will probably be just like second nature before we know it! A home health nurse will come next week to continue training us. The nurse will come until we are comfortable doing the infusion on our own. All of his infusions will be done at home now and he will have an infusion once a week. Thank you all for your prayers! We certainly know the Lord is with us and He is at work through all of this!