Sometimes it seems that Joe's body wants to create a little excitement just to make things more interesting. On Tuesday, Joe's platelet count was 10. He had a platelet transfusion. Yesterday, his platelet count went all the way up to 11! Today it was 9. Joe had another platelet transfusion. His body, after pondering a bit decided that things have been a bit boring. So Joe's body decided to break out into a rash after receiving the transfusion. It started out as a bit of itchiness in the neck area. Then some little bumps near the belly. Soon enough, Joe's whole front and back was bright red. Joe was in agony with the itchiness and burning. Then came some tightness in his chest, and nausea. Fortunately, some benadryl, solumedrol, and ativan fixed Joe up in no time...it also knocked him out. Joe thought he was asleep for about 30 minutes, but it was actually a few hours. There is absolutely no sign of the rash anymore, which is great. Joe got an EKG just in case. It was normal. A whole bunch of cute nurses were popping into the room to make sure that Joe was okay. He was being given the royal treatment. All is well now. Hopefully, Joe's body decides to behave better now. We were only at the hospital for eight and a half hours today.
His WBC is still low, low, low - just 51. Yet, Joe continues to avoid getting any fevers. Praise the Lord! He eats a bit here and there. Just enough to keep him going. And in case you're curious, Joe still has a full head of hair. It is stuck to his head like superglue. We're taking bets as to whether he'll end up losing it or not. Okay, maybe not. I don't want to be accused of encouraging gambling.
Just a friendly reminder, although we are thankful for the gesture, Joe is not able to receive fresh flowers and plants right now. Just knowing that people are loving and praying for Joe is the best gift ever.
Also, a certain day of a certain week, of this month is special. And although I like to acknowledge such things when I'm aware, this time I've been given strict orders not to say anything. So for those readers who know what I'm talking about - I'm not being bad and forgetful. I'm just obeying orders. And for those who haven't the faintest idea what I'm babbling about...that is good, because you're not supposed to. :)
Showing posts with label ekg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ekg. Show all posts
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
The Latest
All the test went smoothly yesterday, and that's according to Joe. The day started off with a pulmonary function test. Joe had the privilege of sitting in a phone booth like contraption with a nose-clip. I was kind and didn't post the nose-clip photo! All went smoothly, and I was greatly entertained by the gentleman running the test.
Next we had a bit of a break to catch up on some emails and news (The oldest person in the world is 115, and male.) We then headed off to the nuclear medicine department. Joe had an IV put in, and lots of blood drawn. Then an EKG and MUGA scan. This was the longest part of the day. Joe had to stay in certain positions for what felt like an eternity. He's really good at staying still though. Sometimes, I call him Mr. Tin Man. I suspect Joe took the opportunity to nap for a bit.
The final part of the day was a history and physical. Joe has gone over his history so many times, that this took very little time. Then we were done! We were able to enjoy lunch at around 3pm.
In the evening, we discovered that Joe's counts are not behaving very well. The Vidaza seems to be losing its powers. Joe's Hemoglobin is the only thing that seems to be staying in the normal range. Helps him keep a rosy glow!
Joe's Counts
WBC - 2.4 k/mcL
Hemoglobin - 15.6 g/dL
Platelet Count - 61 g/dL
Neutrophils - 28%
Neutrophils-absolute - 0.67 k/mcL
We'll have to be more cautious than ever. Our goal is to keep Joe out of the hospital until he is admitted for transplant. We're just going to take one day at a time though. That's all we can do.
Speaking of transplant, here is the latest news. The 21 year old female was CLEARED yesterday. This means that she is okay to be Joe's donor. Because of her size and Joe's size, she will probably have to give cells two days in a row. Joe will have the transplant on the second day when everything is shipped from wherever she is in the United States. The 37 year old male donor should be having his physical tomorrow. One thing that we learned about him, is that for whatever reason, he would only be able to do a bone marrow donation, as opposed to a PBSC donation. This changes the process for the donor, but shouldn't affect Joe too much. If the male is also cleared, then a final decision will be made as to who Joe's donor will be.
As far as dates are concerned, Joe will probably be admitted January 2nd or 3rd. The transplant will likely be on the 8th or 9th. This is only two weeks away!!!!! We are feeling so many different emotions. I'm not sure there are any words to perfectly describe what we are feeling. We are more than hopeful that all will go as smoothly as possible...or smoother than possible. We are glad that things are moving forward, but there is some anxiety mixed in there. Excited doesn't really fit the bill, since there are still risks and unknowns involved. I don't know. But I feel sure that everything will be okay. Thus far, everything has gone as well as can be, except for those silly counts suddenly deciding to go crazy. God is control, right? Yupyup. For sure.
A very happy happy belated birthday to dear Colm. Praying for you, your daddy, grandpa, and the whole family.
Happy belated birthday to Sabrina! I didn't realized you had the same birthday as Richard. How sweet!
Happy happy birthday to Alivia's mommy Emily. We are constantly praying for you.
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. SO the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
~Luke 1:34-37
Next we had a bit of a break to catch up on some emails and news (The oldest person in the world is 115, and male.) We then headed off to the nuclear medicine department. Joe had an IV put in, and lots of blood drawn. Then an EKG and MUGA scan. This was the longest part of the day. Joe had to stay in certain positions for what felt like an eternity. He's really good at staying still though. Sometimes, I call him Mr. Tin Man. I suspect Joe took the opportunity to nap for a bit.
The final part of the day was a history and physical. Joe has gone over his history so many times, that this took very little time. Then we were done! We were able to enjoy lunch at around 3pm.
In the evening, we discovered that Joe's counts are not behaving very well. The Vidaza seems to be losing its powers. Joe's Hemoglobin is the only thing that seems to be staying in the normal range. Helps him keep a rosy glow!
Joe's CountsWBC - 2.4 k/mcL
Hemoglobin - 15.6 g/dL
Platelet Count - 61 g/dL
Neutrophils - 28%
Neutrophils-absolute - 0.67 k/mcL
We'll have to be more cautious than ever. Our goal is to keep Joe out of the hospital until he is admitted for transplant. We're just going to take one day at a time though. That's all we can do.
Speaking of transplant, here is the latest news. The 21 year old female was CLEARED yesterday. This means that she is okay to be Joe's donor. Because of her size and Joe's size, she will probably have to give cells two days in a row. Joe will have the transplant on the second day when everything is shipped from wherever she is in the United States. The 37 year old male donor should be having his physical tomorrow. One thing that we learned about him, is that for whatever reason, he would only be able to do a bone marrow donation, as opposed to a PBSC donation. This changes the process for the donor, but shouldn't affect Joe too much. If the male is also cleared, then a final decision will be made as to who Joe's donor will be.
As far as dates are concerned, Joe will probably be admitted January 2nd or 3rd. The transplant will likely be on the 8th or 9th. This is only two weeks away!!!!! We are feeling so many different emotions. I'm not sure there are any words to perfectly describe what we are feeling. We are more than hopeful that all will go as smoothly as possible...or smoother than possible. We are glad that things are moving forward, but there is some anxiety mixed in there. Excited doesn't really fit the bill, since there are still risks and unknowns involved. I don't know. But I feel sure that everything will be okay. Thus far, everything has gone as well as can be, except for those silly counts suddenly deciding to go crazy. God is control, right? Yupyup. For sure.
A very happy happy belated birthday to dear Colm. Praying for you, your daddy, grandpa, and the whole family.
Happy belated birthday to Sabrina! I didn't realized you had the same birthday as Richard. How sweet!
Happy happy birthday to Alivia's mommy Emily. We are constantly praying for you.
"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"
The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. SO the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
~Luke 1:34-37
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