http://www.savebabygavin.com Save Baby Gavin Fri, 04 Jul 2008 05:59:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Woo Hooo Baby! It’s Gav’s six month transplant anniversary today (July 3, 2008) and we couldn’t be happier! This is a big milestone for him and we are definitely celebrating! I was just reflecting on Gav’s six months and I thought that the grocery store would be the best ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/07/04/whoo-hoo-gavs-sixth-month-kidney-transplant-anniversary-is-here/ We have had two overwhelming experiences in the last couple of weeks and I guess we are just getting our sea legs back a bit. Gavin was just diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1). It is a genetic disorder which may lead to the development of lung and/or ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/05/26/getting-our-sea-legs-backgav-diagnosed-with-alpha-1-antitrypsin-disease/ As parents I think you learn to live with the fact that there are a lot of good intentions that go wrong. The other day I was so impressed after a long fun day of playing at the park, picking up bugs and playing in dirt I was pleased ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/04/23/donate-life-and-save-a-life/ I was thinking this week how much perspective life takes and how everyone has their storms and their rainbows. I often wonder if I paint too many rainbows because the storms are so emotionally tolling. But in doing so, I make it seem like life may be easier than it really ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/03/11/two-sides-of-the-same-storyweathering-the-storms-and-chasing-the-rainbows/ Gavy’s liver enzymes are trending downward so we are holding on the biopsy and elective surgery right now. Luckily we have a team that is working very well together and willing to move things around to do what is best for Gavin. I have a feeling that this ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/03/04/liver-biopsy-postponedgav-will-stay-inpatient-tomorrow-for-antibiotics/ Gav had been a little unlike his normal self and sure enough we are having some complications. When we took him in today, his liver enzymes started to sky rocket within the last two weeks. The two usual culprits are infection or medications, so we are going in ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/03/03/gavs-goes-in-for-a-liver-biopsy-tomorrow-please-pray-for-him/ Lauren: (Fists and Teeth clenched) “Ahh! I am really getting upset with Gavin.” Gavin:(Still doing what is frustrating Lauren despite her repeated requests to stop, and getting equally frustrated with her being frustrated with him.) Mom: (typical mom speech) “You know Lulu, he is smaller and still learning how to play ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/02/24/a-moms-birthday-tribute-to-her-special-two-year-old/ Here's a birthday tribute video creatively authored by his special mom. Happy 2nd birthday to our little fighter!!! http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/02/24/birthday-tribute-video-happy-2nd-birthday-gavs/ It has been a busy week—-I have rearranged my house 500 times, bought 1000 tickets to vacation hot spots and added a sun room so Gavin can play comfortably outside without having to worry about getting burned with his new meds, and lastly sold my house to buy an RV ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/30/gavy-has-a-rough-medical-weekbut-keeps-walking-and-telling-it-like-it-is/ Lauren says we owe Grams, Pop Pop and Julie A LOT of quarters for helping out so much after transplant (that’s what Lauren gets paid for her daily chore). Things have been in quite a state around the house with Jay taking on the role of Mr. Mom. It ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/18/trying-to-establish-a-new-routinerelearning-about-this-whole-new-baby/ Everyday since Gavin was a twenty week fetus we have waited each day to see if he would be alive the next day. We never planned ahead, we never let our imagination run wild with the future. I now can see a little boy with a life ahead ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/11/update-from-jilljill-and-gavy-going-home-today/ Jill was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday (1/10) and will now be continuing her recovery from a nearby hotel and then eventually home. She can never be too far away from her kiddos. Lauren is now keeping her spirits up by skipping, jumping, and making beautiful projects. ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/10/update-from-jayjills-been-discharged-and-gavy-may-go-home-very-soon/ Here are some great pictures of Gavin taken by Jill and Gavin's big cousin Julie Schwalbach Elliott. Julie is a registered nurse and flew in from North Carolina to stay with Gavin the day of transplant and for several days of his recovery. Thanks for the pictures Julie, ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/10/more-post-transplant-pictures-of-gavin/ It’s now day three post surgery and Gavin remains to be doing remarkably well. His doctor told me “he is not doing anything that they were not expecting him to do.” which is great news. Here’s a recap of all the events of transplant day and beyond up to ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/07/recap-and-updates-from-jay-on-jill-and-gavys-progressgavs-is-eating-solid-foods/ Just received this email from Sally, Jill's sister and Gavy's aunt and Godmother, about Jill and Gavy's progress.... Just wanted to give an update to everyone. Both Jill and Gavin are doing really well! Yesterday was the first time that Jill got to hold Gavin which was amazing! ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/07/gavy-and-jill-doing-wellnew-photos-of-gavy/ Gavin did great throughout the night. His kidney functions are now normal for the first time in his life. His BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level has amazingly dropped from 77 yesterday (before surgery) to 4 today. His creatinine level has dropped from 2.8 to 0.2. The surgeon ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/04/gavin-had-a-great-night-his-kidney-functions-are-now-normal-for-the-first-time-in-his-life/ I just received a phone call from Jill's mom and Gavin's grandmother, Jane Schwalbach, as well as Jay that both Jill and Gavy are out of surgery and all doctors are very pleased with their progress!! The doctors had to remove part of Jill's 12th rib and she had a little ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/03/both-jill-and-gavin-are-out-of-surgery-and-all-doctors-are-pleased-with-their-progress/ We have just received confirmation from Gavin's grandmother, Jane Schwalbach, that the surgeries for both Jill and Gavin are a definite "go" for very early tomorrow morning. Gavin will need a blood transfusion during his transplant surgery. With God's grace, both surgeries should be complete by early afternoon ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/02/gavins-moment-has-come-surgeries-are-a-definite-go-for-tomorrow-morning-january-3-2008/ It looks like all of Gav's labs are somewhat better, his blood count is still low, so they will have to give him a transfusion in the operating room during the transplant. Transplant is a go at this time. We will be preparing today, as we are at ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2008/01/02/gavins-transplant-is-still-a-godespite-low-blood-count-please-pray-for-him/ Now I know where the script from National Lampoons vacation came from…ahh, Christmas has come and gone and it was beautiful and wonderful and it’s hard to find the kids in the midst of all the new toys that they have gotten. Things have slowed down to a tiresome ... http://www.savebabygavin.com/2007/12/28/a-winslow-christmaspreparing-for-january-3rd-transplant/