Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Update # 83

Day Plus 7

Good Evening,

Sunday during the day was pretty good for Jeff.  The fever had subsided and by late afternoon he felt like eating some food.  He did drink plenty of fluids also that day.

Late Sunday morning, Ken's folks and brother drove in to StL to spend a few hours with him.  It was good for them to see Jeff and we all enjoyed the visit.

Jeff's counts continued to decrease on Sunday and he was given 2 units of blood that night. Sunday evening the fever gradually again began its upward climb.  

Monday was a day that Jeff never left bed due to the fever.  It went up to 103 and stayed fairly high all day and night.  A second antibiotic was added to Jeff's medicines.  Since it was Day Plus 6, Jeff received another dose of that one particular medicine.  His magnesium was low so Jeff received a dose of that, too. 

The fever broke around 7:30 this morning and has stayed basically at 99 (100.9 and higher is a fever) all day.  Jeff has felt a little better today and has been up and moving some.  Since this is Day Plus 7, the daily Neupogen shots were started.  They will help to increase Jeff's counts.  Jeff will have to receive a unit of platelets this evening.

Ken went home last evening and will return to us on Christmas Day.  He waited till after the Christmas Party the staff organized here on the floor.  They had a wonderful pot- luck lunch and Santa even came to each room to deliver throws that were hand-made also by the staff.

One particular housekeeping lady on this floor is truly an angel.  She is 4 months away from the birth of her 2nd child but asked that her family members not buy gifts this year.  She requested they donate platelets or stem cells at the hospital to help others.  Six people in her family have already given of themselves.  The true spirit of Christmas!

And speaking of angels, one had come to our home while Ken was here in StL.  The huge pile of limbs in our backyard (from the ice storm at the beginning of the month) had been moved out to the front curb for pick up by the city.  We were grateful to all who helped us cut those limbs and now we are thankful to the angel(s) who cleared our yard.  Thank you!!!           

Oh, I forgot last time - Dr. Gauvain filled us in on the other boys who were in the unit at CG with Jeff.  Little Josh had his transplant in Nov. and is home doing well.  Little Robbie is also out and doing fine.  And Levi is still on the 4th floor but improving.  Thanks for your continued prayers for them.

So life continues here as expected.  We look forward to the next week as the transplant process probably begins to see the counts rise.  And after yesterday, we know Santa will find us right where we are and put some presents under our small tree!  Of course, our small nativity in the room reminds us of the real reason for the season.  We pray each of you slow down and also remember to enjoy the true meaning of this next week.

love,

Marcia