Want to keep you all updated, especially during these worrisome past few days where minutes feel like hours and everyone is waiting for news. Today has been a "stable" day, which I'm grateful for after the roller coaster we've been on since Sunday.
Ed has been up and down today, but the lows haven't been so low and the nurses have been working really hard to balance everything. Just juggling the seemingly endless number of IV infusions and medications is astonishing. I told Ed's nurse, Fay, that she has more IV bags stacked up than planes circling Chicago airport in a snowstorm! Today he's got PPN around the clock, potassium piggybacks on that because his counts have been low, he's had 2 units of platelets, which they can only infuse while his temperature is below 99.9, he has 2 different IV antibiotic infusions - 1 for 4 hours each day and one for 8 hours each day, he's got saline for fluids, lipids to go with the PPN, zofran infusion every 6 hours for nausea, he's getting 1 to 2 units of red blood each day and then the IV pushes: dilaudid, ativan, protonix and valtrex for the face, mouth and throat sores that have appeared in the past 24 hours. Dr. Mazur just came by and said he's not going to commit to putting in the PICC line tomorrow because the platelets are still so low. We'll see tomorrow.
John Lercel has been here visiting and it's really boosted Ed's spirits for sure. They've been talking hot rods and boats so I've been quietly working in the corner since I know nothing about exhaust systems, transmissions or impellers. Tyler is having dinner with Lou and they'll undoubtedly play a game or two of tile rummy. So all's quiet on the western front for the moment. I have once again missed the cafeteria dinner period (probably my good fortune), so I will likely run home and grab some food and some shut eye (I hope in that order). I've never really enjoyed sleeping in my fettuccini ....
Ed has gotten a lot of color back in his skin today with the blood infusions and he's feeling better tonight. I think we'd all benefit from some IV fluids and new blood on a regular basis - it's amazing how it changes things so quickly!
Thanks again for the continued thoughts and prayers ...... they obviously have helped pull Ed through this tough time. He feels the love and the energy.
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ReplyDeleteI sent you a link, but it didn't work. I'll send it yo your email. Give my love to Ed!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear things seem to be progressing. Ed, sounds like you have more IVs' going IN you than a porcupine has quills coming OUT - but hey if it works, why not! Get well quick we all miss you. Love you bud, TC
ReplyDeleteEd, thinking about you and you are in My prays.
ReplyDeleteGet Well soon!
Don Colucci
Want to keep you all updated, especially during these worrisome past few days where minutes feel like hours and everyone is waiting for news.
ReplyDelete