Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Update # 94

Day Plus 64

Happy Valentine’s Day,

We pray everyone is safe during this winter storm.  We got ice again yesterday before the almost 5 inches of snow fell.  We cancelled Jeff's eye appointment yesterday but did make it to StL today.  (No school yesterday or today.)  Our morning trip usually takes 1 hour 20 min. with no traffic or 1 hour 30 with traffic.  Today it took us 2 hours 15 min.  We had left earlier than usual but still ended up being a little late.  The roads went from snow covered to ice covered to clear.  Coming home late this afternoon was no problem at all.

The ophthalmologist they want Jeff to see, he works with Graft vs. Host, has hours on Tuesday and Thursday so we could not work in a time until Thursday, March 1st.  Jeff says the vision is a little better plus we have been putting drops into his eyes.

Again, the nurse practitioner was pleased with Jeff.  His legs seem a little bit better but he has not walked at all this last week - he only went out once to church.  She plans to check the level of that one shot next week.  That will help decide if Jeff should receive the shot again to help boost the blood.  The test today on the antibody against the "A" blood has not yet returned.  She'll call with the result.

Jeff's red count was down again so he received 2 units of blood today.  That made our day in StL a long one -- 8:15 to 3:45.  The blood department was really backed up and we had to wait 1 1/2 hours from Jeff's scheduled transfusion time.

The anti-rejection medicine level is right where it should be for the 4th week in a row.  Jeff's platelets and white count are just fine.

Jeff had been discussing the removal of his trifusion.  Since it is stitched on both sides into his chest, it is not as comfortable as the previous broviacs.  Today he requested an appointment to have the trifusion removed and a port inserted in its place.  The port will be under the skin and require less care.  Plus it will be easier to sleep.  The staff will still have access to a vein for blood draws, transfusions, and, if necessary, any future IV meds.  They scheduled the procedure for the same day as a regular nurse practitioner visit day -- Feb. 28th.

Next Monday, the 19th, Jeff will see Dr. DiPersio.  He should not need blood that day -- seems right now like it's every other week.  I'll send out the next update that day.

Thank you all for your constant prayers that continue to keep Jeff on the road to recovery.  We are most grateful.  

God's love and ours,

Marcia