Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Update - Stomach Inflammation and Line Infections

The Tuesday after Labor Day, my parents met with the Gastroenterologist regarding the stomach biopsy results. It showed definite inflammation of the stomach lining, but the cause was uncertain. When she met with her team of doctors on Thursday, they temporarily ruled-out GVHD, but were going to keep a close eye on it. Since she had lost 10 pounds from not being able to eat much or even keep food down, they decided to give her TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) with Carafate. TPN is given intravenously (along with the daily ritual of saline and magnesium). Carafate is swallowed an hour before eating to protect the stomach lining. Since then, this has helped, but it's still difficult to eat much.

Yesterday, September 18th, was a difficult day. Her temperature spiked and she ended up being admitted back at LDS hospital. They took blood from each of the three ports to culture. Her fever kept going up and down, so they mainly treated the symptoms while waiting. At 6pm tonight, they finally got the results that all three lines were infected.

As of 11:30pm she's feeling a little better, walking better, and her headache is finally gone. Now it's a waiting game while her symptoms get better. We still don't know the cause, just what it is and where. The doctors and nurses are watching her carefully as she heals. Hopefully she'll be able to return home soon...we'll keep you posted. 

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Stomachs, Heros and Balloons

Julie and Paul have made the trek back to LDS Hospital every day this past week because of stomach pain, nausea, throwing-up, and not being able to eat much food. It's been very frustrating and painful, especially when just getting calories in her is key. Everything tastes horrible to her and it's hard to keep it down. On Thursday she met with the Gastroenterologist about her stomach pain. She went back on Friday for an endoscopy, which showed stomach inflammation. They took biopsy samples of the stomach lining. They are testing it for possible infection, GVHD (Graft vs. Host Disease), and/or a reaction to medicines she's taking. Unfortunately, it's a holiday weekend, so even with the testing being sent out stat, who knows when we'll see results. On the bright side, Julie is still super happy to be home...and her poodle has come out of the depths of despair and woe.

My mom took a photo of her hero, her brother Barry, who donated bone marrow stem cells for her transplant. We are still so thankful he was a match and he was selfless enough to help!


These are her 2nd Birthday balloons. In the Leukemia wing of LDS Hospital, everyone celebrates the bone marrow transplant day as the patients 2nd birthday. My dad went and got some fun balloons to celebrate this awesome day! She now has two birthdays a year... May 29th and July 20th. Mark your calendars!