Even if we’re overreacting, I can live with that

Until we're given other instructions, we will not be taking Gavin anywhere there are crowds of people. I've left messages once again today in regards to Gavin's IVIG infusion medication and I'm waiting to hear back. At this point in time, and in the absence of definitive information one way or the other, we're going to assume that Gavin is at risk. That's simply the safest approach we can take at this time. Currently, Gavin's feeling okay and on the off chance we're overreacting, I can live with that. What I can't live with is not taking this seriously and having something happen.

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There’s only 1 thing that could make things worse and it just happened

I have been sharing how stressed out and worried I am over Gavin's current immunological crisis. I consider it a crisis because there is a nationwide shortage of GAMMAGARD. This medication literally replaces his broken immune system and keeps him from getting sick or worse. Until we resolve the issue and solidify a working plan for moving forward, I consider this a potential life threat and therefore a crisis. The only thing that could make this particular situation worse is if Gavin were currently sick. Unfortunately, that has come to pass because Gavin is currently sick with whatever Emmett and Elliott have been fighting off. We're probably looking at a simple cold but when your child has a severely compromised immune system, only one dose of GAMMAGARD left and no…

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1 phone call has sent me into a complete panic

I wrote about frustrations and explanations for why guardianship hasn't been completed for Gavin. I was explaining how things keep coming up that force us to reprioritize everything. See: I'm going to need an attorney. Not twenty-four hours go by and we're slammed once again, with yet another potentially life threatening issue. I received two very early morning phone calls today. One of from the pharmacy responsible for managing Gavin's IVIG infusion supplies and the other was from his immunologist. Turns out that there is an ongoing, nationwide shortage of GAMMAGARD, the life-saving medication that consists of donated antibodies from thousands of people, used to provide Gavin with a temporary, functional immune system. Gavin has something called Common Variable Immunodeficiency, see What the Hell is Common Variable Immunodeficiency. In laymens…

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Gavin’s IVIG infusion is NOT going well today

Gavin's been undergoing his IVIG infusion for over five hours now and it's still not done. This is not a good thing because he's getting extremely anxious and understandably so. This usually comes down to needle placement and because there's only so many locations in his belly to place both needles and because there have been roughly 5,826 total needle sticks into his belly thus far, scar tissue is a problem. I suspect scar tissue is the leading cause of today's complications. As a result, what should take roughly an hour is dragging out into almost six hours. There's nothing we can do but let it run its course. The IVIG Infusions are absolutely crucial to Gavin's survival. We can't just write it off because it's taking too long. Hopefully,…

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Teaching Gavin to help manage his own health care

Once again, Gavin has been shorted supplies for his IVIG infusions. As it stands, he doesn't have enough left to do his next infusion on Friday. Rather than simply take care of it for him, I asked him to put a reminder on his tablet to go through his supplies and figure out exactly what's missing. Once he figures that out, he'll report to me and I'll call the hospital and put the order in. It's so important that Gavin be as involved in his health care as possible. He can't make make his own medical decisions for obvious reasons but we want him to play as big a role as he's capable of being. Getting him to utilize his tablet for something other than games is important as well.…

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Gavin’s is struggling and it’s heartbreaking

Gavin's having a rough morning. He really struggled to setup his IVIG infusion today. At one point, he ran into what he perceived to be a problem and couldn't work through it. Part of prepping his IVIG infusion, requires him to draw up solution into a giant syringe. It's important to remove any air bubbles from the solution because it will interfere with the infusion process. Normally, he pushes the bubbles out before he removed the needle from the syringe but today he removed the needle first. He got upset with himself and was going to just leave the bubbles there because he'd already disposed of the needle. I told him he can't leave the bubbles, so he proceeded to open a second needle and I had to stop him…

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There is no cure for what my oldest son has but we keep pushing forward

Eariler today there was a knock at the door. It was Akron Children's Hospital delivering Gavin's IVIG infusion supplies. I guess I didn't realize it was already that time of month again. Gavin has been getting these delivers for more years that I care to remember and as much as I hate the fact that they're necessary, they are. These supplies allow for his twice a weeky IVIG infusions. Without these infusions, Gavin wouldn't have a functional immune system. It's a heartbreaking reality that people like Gavin and families like ours have to live with. There's no cure for Common Variable Immunodeficiency and while the treatment is available, it's also incredibly expensive. Over time, it's likely that Gavin's condition will continue to worsen and he will need higher and higher…

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It was a disastrous morning for Gavin

It's been a really rough morning. I've been fighting off a stomach bug for most of the week and it's not been pleasant. I've actually not been eating much, so might be a great time to weigh myself.. Lol Anyway, Gavin did not have a good morning. His IVIG Infusion pushed him over the edge, down the street and around the corner. He was completely freaking out and there was very little consoling him. He setup his own infusion again and did a great job. He picked new locations to stick the needles but unfortunately, both infusion sites leaked and required re-sticking, which he's not a fan of, like at all. It sucks having to do this once but twice is double the amount of pain and anxiety for him.…

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