Update on Explorer

I want to thank you all so very much for all of your prayers and kind words over the last few weeks!!  I have been so encouraged by each and every comment and email I have received, you are all so wonderful!!

The last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of Christmas and New Year's celebrations.  Thankfully, they kept me busy so I wasnt worrying about the upcoming tests for Explorer.  We had an amazing holiday, getting to see all but one aunt and uncle over the course of just 3 days time!!  The children received some amazing gifts from their loving relatives.  Many of them will be used in school, so you will be seeing them here!

Above is a photo of Explorer and my sister.  Explorer is wearing MY first Christmas dress that is *ahem* 32 years old!!  They dont make clothes like they used to!!

Today Explorer and I drove the trek to Children's without the rest of the family.  I have an amazing hubby who held down the fort (and even cleaned it) while I drove 3 hours to the hospital and then turned around and came back.  I'm also so thankful for Explorer who was the best passenger.  She slept all the way there and back!!

So, the positives that we found out at the appointment today:  

Explorer gained 12 ounces in just 2 weeks!!  Exclusively breastfed, too!! 

The test for the Alpha-1 genetic test was negative!!!  Thank God!

Her billirubin levels are back to normal (I might have told you this already).

Unfortunately, as I said before, her liver enzymes were still elevated at the last appointment.  Not only were they still elevated, they had gone up.  *Sigh*

There are 2 main types of liver enzymes (I am not sure if there are others, still learning here!) AST and ALT.  Normal AST level is 5 to 40, hers was 73.

Normal ALT level is 7 to 56, hers was 100.

The doctor said that these are still just moderately high, but he certainly wants to know what is causing the problem.  He checked her over again today to verify that she hasnt developed any abnormalities since he saw her last.  Thankfully, she is a growing, happy, and seemingly healthy baby girl-so she passed that test.  

After the appointment with the doctor, we went for another blood draw.  The dr is testing for a nice long list of things including thyroid function, Hepatitis A, and a virus called CMV.  He also said that he is going to do a genetic testing panel (I think I am saying this right).  The DR let me know that we may never find out what is causing the problem, but if the enzymes dont go down we will keep moving forward until either they go down or the cause is found.  We should have test results in the next few days.

One thing I am really thankful for in all this is the opportunity to see that Explorer is healthy!  They did the ultrasound of all her organs at the last appointment, so I know that they are all currently working well.  It helps to give me peace of mind for the future!

I would really appreciate continued prayers until we get a clean bill of health for Explorer!  I am trusting that we will get it soon.  But, we will wait on the Lord and His perfect timing!!

On another note, we are back to school this week so I will be getting some schoolish posts (and a new printable pack!) up soon.

Even Explorer has been learning some new things.  To lift her head.

And smile :).

Thanks for checking in on us!  God Bless!!