Sunday, August 24, 2008
Update # 129
20 months
Good Afternoon,
I know you were expecting an update a couple of weeks ago but Jeff's doctors continued with more tests so I kept waiting for everything to be completed.
Dr. DiPersio had doubled Jeff's Prednisone on July 28th for two weeks hoping to get his body back in sync plus he had put Jeff on a different antibiotic. A week and a half later on the 6th, Jeff started with vomiting and diarrhea. Jeff went straight to Dr. Masri in Waterloo but he happened to be closed that day. Jeff then phoned StL and Dr. DiPersio's Physician Assistant thought it might be C-Diff that colon bacteria problem. She called Jeff's pharmacy in Iowa and started him on 2 meds. The next morning Jeff did go in to see Dr. Masri for IV fluids, a CBC, and a C-Diff test. The CBC showed Jeff's counts up slightly and the C-Diff test came back negative. So Jeff had some type of flu that lasted almost three days.
On Aug. 11th, Jeff had another CBC and C-Diff test done. The CBC showed his counts had improved except for the white blood count. That can be raised due to the higher dose of Prednisone. The second C-Diff test also returned negative.
Jeff still was not feeling like himself so he contacted StL again. And that cough still was present. Dr. DiPersio thought it could just be GVHD but requested a CT Scan on the sinuses. He also again increased Jeff's Prednisone to a higher dosage plus take it twice a day for just one week. Jeff has never been on so much Prednisone. Then lower the dose but keep it twice a day for another week (this part ends the 28th). The sinus scan on the 18th showed everything was clear. StL requested Jeff call each week about how he is doing with the higher dosages of Prednisone. On the 29th, he is to go back to once a day but the amount of Prednisone is still higher than the normal level he had taken for a year. Jeff says he can feel a difference and that he is doing better.
Now on to the more exciting news -- Jeff is engaged!!! He proposed to Meridith (note the spelling) on July 21st and they have set November 29th as their wedding date. They were friends from college who decided to begin a closer relationship right before Jeff's transplant in 2006. This last year, with Jeff being back in Waterloo (he returned 7-22-07), has really been the time for them to establish their relationship. Meridith, originally from Ames, is the Black Hawk County Youth Coordinator and has lived in the Waterloo area for a couple of years. We are thrilled for them and are enjoying our part of the wedding planning. The ceremony will be at Jeff and Meridith's church in the Waterloo area and yes, Ken will be performing part of the ceremony. Remember Jeff already has his StL 2-year transplant appointment set for Mon. Dec. 15th? We thought what perfect timing and now plan to host an Illinois reception for them on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec 14th.
We thank God for continuing to bless Jeff in his life with his new fiancée. We again request your prayers for Jeff's health and healing. He still continues to work his two part time jobs. Ken thinks that would be a great wedding present -- a full time job at his tv station! Our prayers include each of you as usual. You're always with us and know you will celebrate Jeff's good news of his upcoming marriage as much as we. I'm not sure about the next update. I'll just have to wait and see how Jeff is feeling and what StL decides to do. Take care until then.
love,
Marcia