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Day four at CHOP- come on antibiotics and do your thing!


Garrett's health is never straight forward and his post-surgical recovery has been no different. After his June bowel reconnection, he had a few great weeks, but after contracting a virus, then another virus and having additional IBD related issues, Garrett is now hospitalized. 

Garrett had been struggling for a few weeks and on Friday I took him for an outpatient appointment for fluids and iron. We left the appointment, but his doctor called while we were still in the parking lot and told us to come back into the hospital as more of Garrett's blood work had come in and she felt it was unsafe for him to go home. 


He was pretty upset to be admitted and get another IV after just having one removed. After (another!) Covid test, he was admitted. 


In addition to dehydration and anemia, Garrett has been experiencing pain. An MRI showed abscesses. Due to their size and location, surgery and interventional radiology want to take a wait and see approach. Short term, he is on several IV antibiotics to try and shrink them and reduce the pain. Long term, we need to figure out a strategy to figure out the cause and potentially prevent them from happening again. 


I guess on a positive note, if he hadn't been dehydrated and anemic enough to be admitted, we would not have known about the abscesses while they are small and they could have been much worse! 


We have been here four days and Garrett is getting REALLY bored. He hates ALL CHOP food and just wants to bust out in time for school. I have been getting him take out from some of the places around the hospital and that seems to be more of a hit. 


We were hoping to squeeze out something of a summer in these last few days before the start of school, but now we are just hoping to get to the start of 2nd grade! 


People always ask how they can help... well, if you are so inclined, please send a text or video message saying hi or telling a joke. Funny memes are also appreciated! 

Thank you! 

215-260-7665 Jill's cell 


The Lego Master at work. 



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