Saturday, December 16, 2006

Update # 82

Day Plus 4

Good Evening,

Things are progressing as planned for Jeff.  Counts are dropping and he is slowing down.

Thursday the diarrhea seemed to be a little better.  He was low on Magnesium so he had a dose of that.  Late afternoon, Jeff noticed a tightness in his chest.  They ordered an EKG and it showed the heart was ok.  The doctor really thought it was Gerd and changed to a different antacid.  

The anti-rejection medicine level is tested twice a week.  On Thursday, the number was in the normal range but a little high of what they like to see.  So that daily dose has been lowered till the next test.

Early Friday morning (middle of the night) Jeff began a fever.  It gradually went up during the day to over 101.  A second antibiotic has been added.  It's to be expected and Dr. DiPersio even said "it's about time you started".  Friday was Day +3 so Jeff had another dose of that one medicine for Graft vs Host disease.

Jeff's oncologist from Cardinal Glennon, Dr. Gauvain, even stopped by yesterday to check on Jeff.  We were all happy to hear how pleased she was with Jeff's progress.

The fever continued today and hovers about 100 degrees.  A portable x-ray machine was brought in today for a chest x-ray on Jeff.  They automatically do one around the first fever.  Jeff noticed diarrhea beginning again this evening.  The mouth sores seem to be held off right now with the Nystatin he takes several times a day. 

My brother Mike was here Thursday, Friday, and most of today.  He and Ken went out a couple of times and once brought back some food for the 3 of us.  Ted Drewes was part of their outing today.  Jeff had a few bites of a concrete but his appetite has decreased also with this fever.  Mike is at our house tonight and returns to Chicago tomorrow.  We missed seeing JoAnn and Trevor but loved having time with Mike.  The holidays seemed a little more complete with family here. 

One thing that we've laughed about and I always forget to mention in the emails is another use for Press and Seal.  We know how great it works at home in the kitchen on food but we've learned a new idea.  When Jeff takes a shower and has to cover the trifusion and its dressing, the Barnes' nurses give him a sheet of Press and Seal.  He puts it on his chest and wraps the 3 lumens.  I wonder if Glad needs a new commercial made!!!

We are so thankful to hear each nurse or doctor say how well Jeff is doing.  Your prayers continue to help him through this process.  Thank you one and all.

love,

Marcia