Update & Request for Prayer: August 18, 2010

I have been quite ill and have not updated my blog as I should. Due to my prayer recruiters, Tina and Dawn, I know several of you have learned of this latest bout of struggles. Thank you for praying.

THURSDAY

Ear pain resulted in ear infection. Biaxin started.

SATURDAY

Felt worse. Fevers increased and cough was productive. I suspect the return of the fungal infection when I was hospitalized in June.

SUNDAY

Cough, fever, chest congestion and my oxygen levels worsened overnight. I went to the hospital and they performed a chest x-ray, blood cultures and other labs. My doctor was out of state and she is the General of my medical team. I was determined to not be admitted with her away. I began having trouble breathing and shortness of breath.

Later Sunday evening, my doctor called much to our dismay, a staph infection was found growing in my lungs. She consulted my Infectious Disease Doctor and we returned to the hospital to begin a third antibiotic. I did not have a drug reaction and we returned home around midnight.

MONDAY

I saw my doctor and the lab managed not to provide the staph ID and sensitivities by 5 PM. It was a difficult day - I spent over 2 hours at the doctor trying to sort everything out. I had numerous calls with the insurance company and specialists.

My pulse was up to 137 on Monday evening with continued fevers and the ID Dr. was concerned about that - I was told if my pulse went higher or did not begin to decrease and if symptoms continued to worsen, they would admit me.

At five minutes before five, the insurance came through with approval for oxygen for home use.

I went to bed not feeling well and awoke with chills at 1 AM (early Tuesday morning). Chills and my related symptoms could indicate septicemia (infection in bloodstream). Kevin rushed me to the hospital at 2 AM and I was again admitted to ICU.

By early afternoon yesterday, I had been safely desensitized to IV Zyvox for the staph in my lungs and IV Tobramycin to add coverage in case my worsening is related to septicemia. The sensitivities are still not here so they could change both these drugs. Oxygen support was such a relief. I was struggling to breathe and talk, so I knew I was in trouble.

WEDNESDAY

My doctors have been in this morning. My counts are already diving due to marrow suppression worsened by infection and these powerful drugs. The Zyvox (IV antibiotic for Staph) had a warning about marrow suppressed people and Tobramycin always reduces my counts. Once again, we must weigh risks versus benefits. My WBC was 60,700 yesterday and is 38,900 today (and that decline is with IV steroids that always INCREASE my WBC). My ANC required a Neupogen injection at noon and I will continue to receive it since we expect further WBC declines. I was hoping to receive IVIG treatment tomorrow but that doesn't appear to be happening. Zyvox is infusing as I type. Once this IV is in, the Tobramycin will be started.

My Hemoglobin has fallen by 2 points with just one day of these drugs. My NIH oncologist forewarned me that blood transfusion support might be required. Infection always suppresses my marrow somewhat, so hemoglobin prayers are needed. My platelets have declined as well.

They took a urine sample overnight for culturing - not symptomatic but with ongoing fevers we cannot leave a stone unturned. Also, another sputum sample was taken for a silver stain to look for PCP again - I imagine that will be a send out lab. The lab has failed to identify the staph infection or provide drug sensitivities. Their shoddy performance is alarming to me when these results dictate life saving decisions for me.

Please pray:

-For the infection(s) to be identified and drug sensitivities to become quickly available
-For me not to require blood transfusions
-For me not to be dependent upon oxygen
-For additional infections or hospital acquired infections NOT to develop
-For me not to have drug reactions
-For God to direct all decisions made on my behalf and staffing chosen to help me
-For strength and courage for my family and me

That is the update for today. Continued prayers treasured.