Levi was doing well enough to go on a short stroller ride around the unit. He's a little more awake and becoming a bit more mobile (yea!). His kidneys still need to do some work but he amazes us every day with his strength and cuteness! We're so proud of him and Beth and Zack too. Good job little man! Enjoy the ride and show off your amazing self! [...]

We are so happy with the progress Levi is making…. He has done well without the breathing tube and even has been able to take breaks from the bipap mask using just extra oxygen in his nose.  He’s been opening his eyes more and more although he’s still spending most of his time having dreams and visions of Blaze.  We are hoping with continued decrease in medications that he’ll be better able to interact and still be comfortable.  Those kidneys have made some slow progress, but we need them to wake up more before he can be off of dialysis.  And through it all. he’s still as handsome as ever![...]

They were able to take the breathing tube out - yea!!!   He is still requiring support with this face mask called Bipap but he’s done really well so far.  Big goals for today include making more urine (Come on kidneys remains our chant!) and weaning down some of the medications that are making him sleepy.  We’re so proud of him![...]

Levi continues to amaze us - that’s what The Amazing Levi tends to do - and is making small improvements day by day.  You can see that he is now better able to move his arms, giving a couple waves and going for double hand holding when he can.  He is still improving on his breathing and we’re getting closer to getting the tube out.  
He is tolerating dialysis although still no urine so we’re still keeping prayers going for those kidneys.  He still has a lot of fluid on his belly and we’re trying to make adjustments to keep him comfortable.  He had another visit from his big brother this morning and Owen was so excited that he was looking right at him! [...]

Levi is still needing more support for his kidneys so dialysis continues.  He has been doing what are called “pressure support trials” to see how he will handle being off of the ventilator and those have gone well.  So, we are hoping to continue to tune things up so that he will have the best chance of getting rid of that tube.  
In the meantime, his nurses have been great about moving lines and machines to make sure that snuggles remain a key component in his treatment.  And for that part, he has many willing volunteers!!![...]

Levi started to open his eyes a little bit more yesterday which made us all so happy to see those baby blues!  He continues to need support for his kidneys and breathing so we are taking things one day at a time.  He has needed a couple of transfusions due to the effects of chemotherapy, but that should start to get better soon.  We’re hoping to see him wake up a little bit more over the next few days and plan to continue watching his Blaze video with him multiple times, reading him stories, and holding his hands.[...]

Levi continues on dialysis and the breathing machine.  His kidneys have still not woken up so we’re giving him a little more time and adjusting a few things to try to jumpstart them. Keep the prayers for urine (a sign the kidneys are recovering) and that he is able to wake up a little more coming![...]

Unfortunately Levi’s kidneys have been unable to recover and at this time he needs to start dialysis.  The first 8 hours are the most critical so please keep our little man in your prayers that everything goes well and we get rid of all the extra electrolytes and medication byproducts that are causing him issues.  The plan is to continue dialysis for the next 72 hours and then reassess as we hope this gives his body the rest and support it needs. [...]

It has been exactly one year since Levi first went into the hospital and we learned of this awful disease.  When looking back, despite how hard it has been, it really has been nothing short of AMAZING.  A year full of Levi playing his favorite games, chopping and kicking like a ninja, reading us his favorite stories, singing songs, and, of course, asking us about our favorite colors.   He relearned how to sit up on his own, scoot and even crawl…none of which are easy feats…meeting each with the same excitement and joy - “I did it!”  He is as silly and lovable today as he was a year ago no matter what he has endured.  We are extremely lucky to have been able to witness the Amazing Levi in action.  [...]

Levi was allowed to have a special visitor at the hospital today - big brother Owen!  Owen wasted no time in ignoring all of the machines and went right over to Levi to say hi and hold his hand.  He wanted to sit right next to Levi so we raised up his chair to make it easier. He then picked out a funny movie for them to watch together.  And, as you can see, he held his brothers hand while intently watching The Croods.  We all know how much Levi loves his silly brother so it made getting chemo again tonight a little easier for sure![...]