CERVICAL INJECTION
Ron has had problems with his neck and shoulders over numerous months; after a visit to his bone and joint physician, they decided to try cervical injections (makes me kinda' sick thinking about it).
A couple of weeks ago (after wonderful mind altering drugs) Ron received cervical injections (eeeehhhh); he spent the day completely oblivious to the world - and his blood sugar went totally out of control - over 500. The following day was no different - sleeping and high blood sugar. Finally on the second day after surgery he felt a little more like himself.
A follow-up visit (which was a waste of co-pay) the doctor decided Ron wasn't a candidate for the additional two injections (we had already decided Ron wasn't having any more injections) due to high blood sugar (duh).
FEVER
But the craziest thing has been happening to Ron over the past month - fevers - not everyday or every other day - low grade - and over 101. The doctors aren't sure what is happening. Ron has an appointment to see a doctor in the transplant clinic tomorrow.
I'm not a doctor - but I'm wondering if the Hep C has begun attacking the new liver and the body is trying to fight the infection.
I'll update after the appointment tomorrow.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Negative
Caroline called today (transplant coordinator) to say that Ron's blood work came back normal - NO CMV! That's great! The ulcer cultures are still out - but she suspects they will come back normal as well.
She is concerned about Ron not feeling well - and his extreme weight loss. The clinic has a meeting every Wednesday to go over patients considered for transplant, and patients with complications - she requested Ron's name be submitted for discussion - so the doctors can put their heads together - to see if they can come up with what might be going on with Ron.
Caroline said she would call us tomorrow with any news.
She is concerned about Ron not feeling well - and his extreme weight loss. The clinic has a meeting every Wednesday to go over patients considered for transplant, and patients with complications - she requested Ron's name be submitted for discussion - so the doctors can put their heads together - to see if they can come up with what might be going on with Ron.
Caroline said she would call us tomorrow with any news.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Hmmmm.....still don't know for sure
Ron had an appointment with the transplant team today; he's been feeling, weak, fatigued and sick to his stomach. He has ulcers in his mouth - making it very difficult to eat, and he's lost 13lbs in 2 weeks.
We have 'transplant' friends, Jerry and Chandra (Jerry received his new liver 5 weeks ago) and Jerry is in the hospital in Cincinnati - with blood clots and being tested for the CMV virus. (Jerry's a little better this evening and hopefully they'll be going home Monday).
I never heard of the CMV virus until Chandra mentioned it yesterday. So of course, I Googled it...........
When Ron went to the clinic today - I asked that he be tested for the CMV virus. So what is CMV? Caroline at the transplant clinic explained it this way: the CMV virus is in the Herpes virus family; 80% of the population have been exposed to the virus. Ron was tested prior to transplant and he was one of the 20% of the population which never has been exposed. But word came today, the donor had been........meaning once the new liver was transplanted, the virus was introduced.
Healthy individuals exposed to the CMV virus usually aren't affected at all, but someone with a compromised immune system (transplant patients taking anti-rejection drugs) - well, it can be serious.
Post transplant the patient is given a medication, Valcyte, for the first 6 months, which usually prevents the CMV virus. Ron was tested for the CMV virus today - we'll hear something first of the week.
In the meantime, Ron's back on Valcyte for 3 months. His liver enzymes look great. His kidney function is high - meaning he's dehydrated.....we're upping his fluid intake to 2-2.5 ltrs daily. Because of the ulcers in his mouth (unsure if it's a side effect from the Rapamune or caused by the CMV virus), a culture was taken, and he's 'swishing' with an anti-fungal rinse. His Rappamune levels are high - so they are lowering the dose from 5 a day to 4 daily.
Caroline will call us first of the week.
We have 'transplant' friends, Jerry and Chandra (Jerry received his new liver 5 weeks ago) and Jerry is in the hospital in Cincinnati - with blood clots and being tested for the CMV virus. (Jerry's a little better this evening and hopefully they'll be going home Monday).
I never heard of the CMV virus until Chandra mentioned it yesterday. So of course, I Googled it...........
When Ron went to the clinic today - I asked that he be tested for the CMV virus. So what is CMV? Caroline at the transplant clinic explained it this way: the CMV virus is in the Herpes virus family; 80% of the population have been exposed to the virus. Ron was tested prior to transplant and he was one of the 20% of the population which never has been exposed. But word came today, the donor had been........meaning once the new liver was transplanted, the virus was introduced.
Healthy individuals exposed to the CMV virus usually aren't affected at all, but someone with a compromised immune system (transplant patients taking anti-rejection drugs) - well, it can be serious.
Post transplant the patient is given a medication, Valcyte, for the first 6 months, which usually prevents the CMV virus. Ron was tested for the CMV virus today - we'll hear something first of the week.
In the meantime, Ron's back on Valcyte for 3 months. His liver enzymes look great. His kidney function is high - meaning he's dehydrated.....we're upping his fluid intake to 2-2.5 ltrs daily. Because of the ulcers in his mouth (unsure if it's a side effect from the Rapamune or caused by the CMV virus), a culture was taken, and he's 'swishing' with an anti-fungal rinse. His Rappamune levels are high - so they are lowering the dose from 5 a day to 4 daily.
Caroline will call us first of the week.
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