Thursday, September 28, 2006

Update # 63

Good Evening,

Jeff was discharged from CG and the two of us arrived home around 10:15 PM tonight.  They had not planned for Jeff to stay so late in the day but decided he should have blood and platelets before leaving and the whole day just got backed up.  It's ok since he'll be in his bed tonight.

Monday seemed to be a turning point for this Sepsis complication.  Jeff's fever was "normal" (under 100.4) and has remained that way since then.  He even asked for his food tray that day.

They had an ECHO done on Jeff's heart on Monday.  Instead of Jeff going down to the lab, the portable machine was brought to Jeff's room.  Ken decided to wait across the hall in the little kitchen but then was disappointed when he returned to Jeff's room and found out that Andy Benes from the StL Cardinals had come in to visit.  

On Tuesday, an EKG was also done.  Dr. Gauvain says that the ECHO shows a change in Jeff's heart function.  She would prefer an adult cardiologist  see Jeff and read the results of the tests.  So Jeff will go to Barnes on Friday, Oct. 6th for an appointment with a cardiologist.

Jeff's pneumonia is still present in his left lung with fluid outside the lung.  It could take weeks for this to disappear.  He has a slight cough but they were satisfied enough with it to let him come home.

Monday also was good since his counts started showing some infection fighting cells.  So far, each day the counts have risen.  The Neulasta must be starting to kick in.

We assumed Jeff might have a longer stay in CG but were pleasantly surprised when they said he was well enough to leave the hospital.  Of course, Dr. Gauvain wants to see Jeff at Costas on Monday.  

Our thanks to all of you for your prayers during Jeff's complication cannot be expressed.  We are blessed with your love and support and Jeff was blessed with healing.  Please continue praying for him these next weeks.  God bless all of you.

love,

Marcia