Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007
Update # 117
Day Plus 287
Happy Fall To All,
I'm writing this from cool Iowa where my sweatshirt felt good today. When I left home yesterday it was 90 but Jeff had warned me about the temperature here.
I drove to Waterloo after school on Monday and arrived around 11:00 PM. Jeff had an unexpected appointment with the eye doctor today in Iowa City and I needed to be able to drive him home (the eyes must be dilated for the testing) plus I wanted to meet this new doctor and hear what he had to say.
Jeff had a scheduled appointment for Oct. 11 with this eye doctor per the request of Dr. DiPersio just to check on GVHD. But this last weekend Jeff was experiencing matting with his eyes, feeling there was something in his eye plus redness was increasing. Jeff phoned us at church before the Sunday service began so we knew that he was concerned with the changes he was noticing. Later that day when we "saw" Jeff on webcam, we knew he could not wait till Oct. 11th. First thing Monday morning, I called Iowa City and related Jeff's situation. A short while later, Jeff and the doctor's office had discussed that Jeff should immediately change the eye drops he was using. They then squeezed Jeff into the schedule for today at 2:00 PM.
We again have been blessed with a wonderful doctor for Jeff. Dr. Wagoner had been in Iowa City but then moved away for several years. He recently (this summer) returned to the University eye clinic and has worked with GVHD. Jeff had a cold a couple of weeks ago and (since he is experiencing some GVHD) apparently some inflammation settled in his eyes and the drops he had been using were now adding to the problem. Jeff commented that from when he started the new drops yesterday till this morning, he could already notice a difference. Dr. Wagoner says Jeff's eyes do look good and prescribed a couple of additional drops that Jeff can use to maintain his eyes. He was pleased really with how well Jeff eyes are at this time and says this inflammation will clear up.
The appointment for Oct. 11th was therefore cancelled and Dr. Wagoner requested to see Jeff in 3 months. That means December and we had already planned to come to Waterloo at Christmas. So we scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 27th. Of course, Dr. Wagoner told Jeff to call immediately if anything changed and they would work him in again. And Dr. Wagoner had to discuss the StL Cardinals and kid us that "Barnes-Jewish is a good place but we're better".
I took two sick days this week since I wasn't sure how long the appointment would take. I'll return home tomorrow. Ken had scheduled some vacation time and I had originally planned 2 sick days for that Oct. 11th appointment. I'll change 2 sick days in Oct. for one personal day. Ken and I will come up on the 11th but just leave after school. Ken can still have his vacation days and we'll return home the afternoon of the 14th.
Jeff continues to work part time at the station. He did get called in extra hours one week that added up to almost 40 hours and he commented he was ready for a break. Dr. DiPersio had said he was glad Jeff was starting back part time. The symptoms of the GVHD continue but they are more a nuisance and really do not stop Jeff. We can tell he's not 100% yet but improving.
Jeff has routine scheduled blood work on Oct. 15th here in Waterloo. I'll update again that week when he gets his counts.
We continue to thank God for medical professionals who have a hand in Jeff's healing. They are such life savers. And we consider each of you as our continued life savers with all your prayers. I hope you enjoy this cool Fall season.
love,
Marcia