Today marked one of the most emotionally devastating days Hudson’s family has faced on an already exhausting medical journey.
The night began with visible distress. Hudson was agitated, uncomfortable, and repeatedly pulling off his BiPAP mask as his body struggled to regulate itself. Blood gas results confirmed what his parents feared — his levels were not where they needed to be. While follow-up tests showed slight improvement, even the late afternoon readings remained concerning, keeping the family on edge throughout the day.
Watching Hudson restless and in pain was heartbreaking. For a parent who describes herself as “not usually a crier,” the fear and frustration finally broke through. The emotional weight of seeing her child suffer without clear answers became overwhelming.
There was a moment of relief when lumbar puncture results came back completely normal. From an infectious disease standpoint, both the LP and MRI were reassuring, confirming that no active infection was present. For that, the family expressed deep gratitude.
But the MRI also delivered painful news. Doctors noted volume loss in Hudson’s brain compared to imaging from two years ago — findings consistent with disease progression. The words landed heavily. For his mother, it became an internal battle between medical conclusions and unwavering faith, between what doctors see and what she believes God is still capable of doing.
As if the day wasn’t already overwhelming, doctors also identified possible bursitis in Hudson’s hips — a finding shared during a tense meeting with six physicians present while Hudson cried, desperate to return to bed. The timing and emotional weight of that moment only deepened the exhaustion.
Looking ahead, doctors explained that Friday’s echocardiogram may determine next steps. The uncertainty remains wide: neurological instability, disease progression, or lingering effects from sepsis are all possibilities. One concerning factor is Hudson’s consistently elevated bicarbonate levels, signaling his body has been compensating for chronically high carbon dioxide levels — a finding that quietly introduced the possibility of a tracheostomy, even if the word itself wasn’t spoken.
The conversation left Hudson’s mother shaken, overwhelmed, and emotionally raw.
Still, she is not ready to accept final conclusions. She continues to focus on the possibility that the hip bursitis could be driving Hudson’s agitation and discomfort. From her experience, even a single unresolved issue can throw his entire system into chaos. Until the root cause is identified and treated, Hudson does not respond like most children.
What hurts just as deeply is the fear of being seen as desperate or unrealistic for asking questions and pushing for another explanation. That feeling — of not being fully heard — is exhausting in itself.
Tonight, Hudson’s family finds itself standing at the intersection of anger, heartbreak, and fierce determination. They are praying for clarity, for a doctor who truly listens, and for confirmation that instinct and advocacy still matter.
This is where they are now — caught between fear and faith, frustration and hope — still believing that answers will come, and that miracles are not off the table.
