Hospital Stay 2.0

For our non-Facebook friends and those interested in more details: Levi unexpectedly spent the last two days in the hospital with adrenal fatigue.

After we got home from Houston, Levi went downhill daily with fatigue and nausea/vomiting until he had lost 10 lbs. in a week and couldn't hardly eat or get out of bed. By the time we realized this wasn't normal and made an appointment with his local doctor, he was so lightheaded he could hardly stand, and his blood pressure was extremely low. We made it to the doctor's office but were only there a short time before she sent us directly to the emergency room for fluids and steroids.


It turns out the adrenal tumor Levi had was secreting extra amounts of cortisol, making his "normal" level really high. So when the tumor was removed two weeks ago, he bottomed out on cortisol before his other adrenal gland had time to adjust. The solution is temporary steroids that will increase his cortisol for a couple weeks while his body adjusts to life with only one adrenal gland.

It didn't help things that Levi was also still taking blood pressure medicine that he was prescribed after cancer made his blood pressure high. When the tumor was removed, his blood pressure returned to normal, but since we hadn't been monitoring it at home we didn't realized he shouldn't be taking the medicine anymore.

All that to say, Levi is feeling much better and is back home doing normal life. In fact, he feels the best he has in a very long time! Fingers crossed he continues to feel well after he adds back the chemo pill in another week. We are so grateful for all your prayers and support during the ups and downs of this journey!

P.S. - Levi made it home for the daddy/daughter dance! They both had the best time.