Not the news we were hoping for. But also not a surprise. Eli has typhlitis. There is inflammation in his bowel. This will be treated with antibiotics, fluids, IV nutrition to allow “gut rest” to continue, pain medication to keep him comfortable, and close monitoring of his blood pressure (to make sure it doesn’t get too low) and heart rate (to make sure it doesn’t get too high) They will draw more frequent labs to monitor certain things through his blood. We have been told to prepare for about 10-14 days of an inpatient stay while he heals. As I write this I received an update from the resident that Eli tested positive for C-Diff. Now we have a culprit for the bacteria in his bowel. Right now Eli is unable to fight this off on his because he doesn’t have any white cells post-chemo. Treatment remains the same as listed above, with the addition of another antibiotic to bring his total up to four. He will also be receiving platelets again overnight.
The good news at this point:
1. The scans do not show any sign of perforation. Perforation would be a tiny tear in the bowel which would allow air. That would require emergency surgery.
2. All his vital signs and lab work indicate that he is stable enough that he does not require a transfer to the icu.
I am trying to focus on the positives and be brave and be strong. But quite honestly, I am upset and scared and nervous. Things can make a turn for the worse at any given point. We choose to believe this will be a really hard couple weeks but someday this will be a foggy memory in the rearview mirror. It’s just especially hard now because we have hit a point in treatment where our entire family is just tired. Tired of unpredictability. Tired of last minute shuffling. Tired of being separated. Tired of watching Eli suffer. Tired of sacrificing what we really want to be doing for what we have to do. The last few days have been exhausting. I was really hoping for Eli to bounce back after this last chemo so we could enjoy the remaining days of August together (in between a million appointments and scans that he already has scheduled for the next phase.) I was hoping to spend some quality time with the big kids before they returned to school. I was hoping to be able to do something for myself for once. The baby? Did I mention him? Sadly, sometimes I forget the we have a baby. I want to spend time with him too! So this is a big bummer for all of us. But it’s the biggest bummer for Eli because he’s the one who physically feels the worst.
I did leave our room for a bit while Chris was here. My favorite nurse saw me out there and came over with a huge hug. She sat with me for a while and we talked and cried together. My heart was just so heavy. I was feeling so sad and scared and angry. And now, as I sit here typing, my mood is shifting to be lighter and I’m feeling more positive. Maybe the good cry helped? Or maybe it’s because Eli (although still very sick, feverish, and in pain) is in a better mood. (And my emotional state is typically correlated to his mood and state of well-being.) It’s obvious that his pain is being better managed. Eli is mostly sleeping, but randomly talks in his sleep or wakes up to say silly things. He’s being cute and funny and talkative with the nurse and resident, making all three of us laugh. That makes my heart happy in the midst of all this pain.
Thank you all for your continued prayers, love, and support. We know that God will carry us through this. But most of all, we just pray for Ei’s total and complete healing.
My heart aches for all of you and what you are going through during this painful journey. My eyes fill with tears as I read your stories each time, trying to put myself into yours. I can’t – I can’t imagine how a parent, loved-one or child endures this day by day, never knowing what the next day, or next hour will bring. I pray for Eli, you and your family every night; I question God and why these things happen to our little ones, our loved one, so innocent; why we have to go through such difficult journeys with no answers or reasons why when we have such love and strong faith in God – why do we have go through this. There is no answer but to continue believing and keeping our faith. We have to believe there is a plan and we aren’t to question but believe God has all the answers. It truly is so difficult to do, but
I continue to pray and believe all of you will look back and this will be just a memory. May God hold all of you in his loving arms and comfort you.
Oh Dear Lord, watch over the Hansen family and blanket them with healing & strength. Soothe Eli and power him from the inside out. Regenerate his body heart & soul. Give Jamie&Chris peace of spirit & to know you are by their side. Give a firm hold to give them signs of healing & know love is surrounding them all. Amen.
you are all continually in my prayers! Especially Eli!
My 4 year old daughter remembers to pray for Eli every night. We pray for him too, and for his tummy to heal.
Heavenly Father, I come to you tonight with a heavy heart. Heavy for Eli who is in pain, heavy for Chris and Jamie who are weary, heavy for the Hansen brood who have seen their summer vacation disrupted.
Lord, I thank you for your daily provision. For surrounding the Hansen family with family, friends and neighbors willing to do whatever is needed. Thank you for the medical professionals who are working diligently to help Eli. Thank you for placing that favorite nurse in the hallway just as Jamie needed a shoulder to cry on. Your timing is perfect.
LORD, I boldly ask for healing for Eli. Please cure the c diff infection and remove the pain he is suffering with. Please remove every cancer cell from his body. Please give Jamie and Chris energy to face every day and peace that surpasses all understanding. I know I am asking a lot Father, but you are the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator who made everything out of nothing, the Great Physician. And your mercy has no end. Let the family see your hand in all circumstances and feel confident in your presence during this trial.
Please help Eli’s siblings feel compassion for their brother, patience for their parents and love for each other. This will become part of their story, and I pray Father that it is a positive part, filled with faith, hope and love.
Joshua 1:9…”Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Sending hugs to you all!!!
I am so sorry and you know we pray for all of you, in searching for words I’m humbled by the sincerity, pureness and wisdom of the comments I’m reading. I hope our thoughts and prayers can help comfort all of you.
Praying for Eli everyday❤️
Prayers Hugs and love to you all!!!
❤the Jakubowski Family
A virtual hug, Jamie.
Continued prayers for you, Eli, and your family.
You all are in my prayers constantly. Love you ?
Hugs to you momma! So sorry Eli is going through this and the impact it is having on everyone. Prayers that he will get better…and yes it will all be a foggy memory one day! You are amazing! Thank you for the updates and letting us all be here for you! Traci
Prayers being sent for all of you for strength, comfort, energy and most of all total healing for Eli. God’s got you!! Love to all of you!
Kristal Renner
My heart is heavy. I wish that I could take this all away for Eli and you. Praying all the more that God would provide a healing miracle. Praying that you will have continued strength, courage, perseverance. Praying that you will feel God’s presence in this. That he will wrap His loving arms around Eli and you. Praying for peace. Love you
My heart is crying for you, your family but especially Eli. You write things so well. Please continue. It helps us to understand a very little of what is happening in your family’s life. Stay strong, stay positive. With God’s help, it WILL be a foggy memory in the rear view mirror. Many, many prayers are being sent
I’m sorry Jamie…he is a tough little cookie….and it’s OK to be tired, “rest if you must but don’t you quit!” My heart goes out to all of you…I have no sage advice, but I do have a loving ear if you need someone to listen. I love you ❤️
My heart just so aches for each of you! For Eli. As parents. Brother. Baby. Sisters. Every aspect, every place this reaches and way that this impacts and affects all of you. I am just so sorry. You’re in my prayers.
The rear view mirror will be there soon enough. Look at the strides you have made yourself! God loves you! Love and prayers !
Wrapping Eli and your whole family in prayers.
My heart aches! Aches for Eli, for Chris, for Jamie, for Ella, for Abby, for Owen and yes for Alex. As mom, as grandma, I wish I could take this family and put them in a bubble of happiness. But I can’t, so what more can I do? I pray, I hope and I trust. Please Dear Lord give us strength and keep us always close. And just have to say “thank you” for all the love and support I have personally seen extended to the Hansen family. Forever grateful. Love, Mom (Meema)
Will continue to pray for your little fellow❤️
Jamie, I’m so sorry. Praying for each of you.
My heart aches for you guys. This is really a tough time. I pray that Eli will rally quickly. Love you guys.
I just prayed for Eli at Mass & will continue…
Jamie please let me know if there is anything I can do for you or your family. Also, the power of prayer is so amazing, so if anything know you have many praying for you. God bless you and your family. You are strong Jamie and one amazing mom??
Jamie and Chris our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. Eli WILL pull through all of this and it will be a foggy memory in the mirror.