Monday, August 8, 2016
Update # 207
9.5 years
Good Evening,
This will be a short update but I still wanted to send it since I know some of you remembered Jeff's yearly StL appointment was today.
Overall, Jeff's appointment went well with Dr. DiPersio. It was a longer than usual time since Doc wanted to know more about Jeff's November 2015 and June 2016 episodes. Then we spent more time waiting for a chest x-ray to be done. Doc wanted to see for himself a recent x-ray. The main discussion of today's appointment is why Jeff is getting more frequent infections/pneumonias. He knows Jeff has good doctors in Iowa taking good care of Jeff, but Doc is concerned that a transplant patient is getting several infections a year. Part of Jeff's lab work today is to again test the IVIG to check Jeff's immunity level. Last time is was in the normal range but better to check again. And the big change is a new med added to Jeff's daily total. This med will hopefully prevent future infections. This is a long term med -- as in years. Doc would like to see Jeff at least get back to a once a winter pneumonia rather than recent several a year. And really he said maybe nothing over the winter.
Dr. DiPersio and his assistant, Stephanie, are thrilled that Jeff is almost at his 10-year transplant date. Jeff, thankfully, comes through each episode and is doing remarkably well with everything his body has had to endure. Jeff always puts a smile on their face when they see him doing well but they want to help him stay even healthier for another 10 years.
Jeff and Meridith's time down here is short. We did enjoy a Cardinal baseball game yesterday -- even with the loss. Today after the appointment, we drove to Perryville to visit Grandma, Ken's brother, and several cousins. Jeff & Meridith return to Iowa tomorrow as Ken and I head to New Orleans for a church meeting.
We continually thank each of you for your prayers. We ask that this new med works well to prevent future infections. A calm Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall would be most welcomed by Jeff. We keep you in our prayers and pray you also have calm in your lives. Jeff has a great team of doctors but also has a great team of prayer warriors. Thank you.
love, Marcia