Sunday, September 24, 2006

Update # 62

Good Evening,

I got home around 6:00 since Ken and I traded places this afternoon.  I'll work at school for 3 days and then we'll trade again Wednesday after school.

Yesterday, Saturday, we saw some improvement in Jeff.  His fever would spike but then it would come down to around 99.  They decided to run a fungal test since it would spike.  No results yet.  He seemed worn out when they gave him the unit of antibodies over 4 hours.  He also received a unit of platelets.  They said the high fever is just chewing up all his cells.

This morning brought some concern.  They heard fluid inside his left lung.  They took him for a chest x-ray and it also showed fluid outside the lung.  They gave him a dose of Lasix and brought in a lung exerciser for him to breathe deeply.  The fever has so far today held just under 101 with no spiking.  Dr. Gauvain wants an Echo on Jeff's heart tomorrow to be sure things are still ok.

Jeff still has no appetite and only Jell-O seems to even be something he might try.  He did drink a glass of water though.

The Rusks left StL this afternoon.  We all enjoyed their visit with Jeff in the hospital.  We even had a game of Trivial Pursuit on Ken's Palm Pilot yesterday.  And for you Ted Drewes lovers, Steve had 9 T.D.'s over 6 days!!!

We can't thank you enough for all your prayers for Jeff.  We have seen them at work this last week.  Dr. Gauvain will not say how long she might keep Jeff in-patient.  I truly think she'd love to keep him protected in CG till time for his transplant.  She has already commented that when he is released from Barnes after the transplant, she wants to also see and check on him.  She's grown attached to Jeff and knows with his age, the transplant is best at Barnes but we can tell she doesn't want to let him go.  We love protective doctors!!!  And we love all of you who protect our son with your prayers.  The miracles continue daily.  Thank God for each of you.

love,

Marcia