{ Hello! }

My name is Gavin. I am 11 months old. I was born with a genetic disorder called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency that caused my liver to go into failure. I was misdiagnosed for 3 months and underwent emergency surgery before they found out what was wrong. I am on the Organ Donation List and am waiting for my "gift of life" so I can have a liver transplant. You can read about my story by clicking {here}. Thank you for visiting my online journal!

*It is our deepest sorrow to inform you that Gavin passed away while waiting to receive a liver transplant. He was only 14 days away from his 1st birthday. Please, if you haven't already, sign up to be a registered organ donor today and talk to your loved ones about your wishes: http://www.donatelife.net/. Thank you all so much for your love and support during this last year.

{ This is my family }

{ This is my family }

{ A Mother's Plea }

If you only read one thing on this website, let it be {this}.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

NOT a line infection! YAY!

We found out today that Gavin does NOT have a line infection, which is GREAT news because that means they won't have to take it out and replace it (which would require surgery). However, what he DOES have is a bacterial infection in his abdomen called Peritonitis.

"The cause of primary peritonitis is infection in the blood. It occurs most commonly in individuals with liver disease. Fluid accumulates in the abdomen, creating a prime environment for the growth of infectious microorganisms."

Symptoms include:



- Swelling and tenderness in the abdomen with pain ranging from dull aches to severe, sharp pain causing board-like rigidity
- Fever and chills
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased breathing and heart rates
- Shallow breaths
- Low blood pressure
- Limited urine production
- Inability to pass gas or feces


So, except for that last one, Gavin has experienced every single one. That explains a lot!!! Keep him in your thoughts and prayers though, because it can turn into a few different nasty things like pneumonia or menegitis if it travels to the lungs. They'll be keeping an extra close eye on his blood pressure and breathing and if it gets worse they'll send him to the PICU. But so far, he's looking okay.


His poor tummy got even BIGGER this morning, up to 56cm. The docs decided to give him another, stronger one dose diruetic, and upped the dosage of his normal one. By tonight his stomach had gone down 3cm!!! He has been peeing like crazy! His tummy isn't nearly so tight and hard and he is in a MUCH better mood.

1 comment:

em said...

I don't know how you do it. You are so strong. Gavin is in our prayers every night. PS: I want the Shabby Princess Gift Card... Wish we could come to the social.