Update on Finn

Finn is doing very well these days. He had been struggling with some immunology issues last summer/early fall and after only 2 infusions of Immunoglobulins (one in October and the other in early February), he seems to be back on track with effectively fighting off opportunistic viruses and infections.

We traveled to Cincinnati last month to see specialists in the field of Bone Marrow Failure Disorders & Immunology and for Finn's annual liver & heart MRI to assess his iron load from the chronic transfusions. It was a productive and informative visit! We returned home with fantastic news concerning Finn's iron levels. His liver iron content has come down from 19.6 to 7.6 in less than a year (anything over 15 is considered severe). The nightly chelation infusions are working and we've been giddy about his progress.

The doctors in Cincinnati reiterated what the doctors in New York have consistently recommended and told us to keep Finn's hemoglobin above 8 as much as possible. It will help him grow both physically and mentally and keep his heart from having to work so hard when his numbers are low. Now that we know the iron load isn't as critical as it was last year, we are more comfortable keeping his hemoglobin above 8 and are transfusing him more frequently to do so. This means that he is receiving transfusions every 2 weeks on a consistent basis, but it is working out well for him.

He received his last transfusion on Wednesday and he looks and feels great. His cheeks and lips are rosy, the whites of his eyes are clear and he is a full of energy.

Thank you all for checking in and keeping Finn in your prayers. I will keep in touch on the blog more often! The funds raised made the trip to Cincinnati possible. THANK YOU!

Westminster Cookbook

One of my favorite things about living here in St. Petersburg is Finn's school, Westminster Day School. The Westminster family has come together to support Finn in unexpected and generous ways over the last several months. The director of Westminster, Jane Kelley, came up with the idea of a cookbook for Finn and everyone at the school came together by contributing their favorite recipes for the book. Mandy Minor worked on pulling it all together with Finn's jellyfish on the cover. The end result is amazing. Thank you to the generous Westminster family, especially Jane, Mandy and Pattie who were so selfless and helpful. I still have a few copies of the cookbook ($15 each) if anyone is interested in purchasing one. My Grandma Bryson's special recipe for blueberry bread is included!

Mr. Lee

I wanted to add a special post about "Mr. Lee" at All Children's Hospital. Lee is a medical assistant in the Hematology-Oncology Unit at All Children's Hospital. He is the first person Finn sees when we arrive at the Hem/Onc office for his appointments and he is always patient, kind and reassuring when taking Finn's vitals and doing his finger pokes. "Mr. Lee" (as Finn calls him) has been there since our very first visit back in January 2008 and Finn trusts him more than other medical professional we've come in contact with.

We nominated Lee for employee-of-the-month last year and we were absolutely thrilled that he won the award last fall. The article can be seen here.

Thanks for all that you do, Mr. Lee. Life at All Children's Hospital would not be the same without you.