Quick Thursday evening update

Loki is gradually doing better but will stay in the hospital at least one more night. He barely coughed today, except a bit while sleeping. It remains unclear to what extent his cough is gone, versus just being suppressed by albuterol. The albuterol doses were reduced from every three to every four hours. We'll be sent home with some to use as needed. Loki does not enjoy receiving it. We will put a little mask over his mouth and nose, and he must breathe the gas for ten seconds, four times per dose.

There is still no diagnosis, but a respiratory virus is likely. In a strange way, we hope it is a relatively severe illness, like respiratory syncytial virus. If this is how he responds to a common chest cold, then we are in for trouble. But if this is RSV or similar, then his response is more typical.

At the hospital, he also received a daily steroid and a new antibiotic for his ear and g-tube site infections. This is all in addition to his two medicines to fight his reflux.

I spent most of the day at the hospital with Loki, while Mom was at home getting some rest. She is at the hospital now doing another overnight. This is not an ideal wedding anniversary, but I suppose we should not be surprised by our Trickster. I share Mom's sentiments. While it is reassuring that we do well as a couple during these challenging times, I wish we could just have some normal time.

Today Luna visited and dropped off a huge amount of delicious food, coffee, magazines,and books and balloons for Loki. She went above and beyond, and really brightened our day. Thanks!