Outta ICU --Thank God!!

Dear Fod's

Debbie made progress today and she is not in life threatening danger. She is still very uncomfortable, weak, bloated and has difficulty breathing and relieving herself, but the Docs feel that she has turned the corner on the infection and that she is on the mend. They moved her back to Rhoades 7014 tonight and she is very pleased. She was able to shower, put on new pajamas and relax again, if that is ever possible at HUP.

When I arrived today @ 10:00 AM, Debbie was carrying 10-15 pounds of extra water weight, was flushed to the face in a great deal of pain and very shaky. She had not uirnated for over a day and was filling up with fluids (She was beginning look like Norm from Cheers!). Her bad kidney levels were rising and she was very uncomfortable, to say the least. Her slightist movement was painful because of all of the fluid and her respirations were short and rapid. She could not stand, sit or lay and be comfortable -- nor was there a Doc in sight.

It was necessary to call our special friend and hit the cage today with our biggest coal shovel!! When we were done banging the cage and within the hour, we were taking numbers at the door for the doctors who wanted to talk to Debbie. After a few dissertations, explanations, drug reversals, inversions, corrections and reversals, things were getting focused and productive. Then, as if on que, Dr. Porter came in to visit with Debbie and to set the house in order. He came in from having his new baby and while on vacation to see how Debbie was doing -- clearly in for canonization by Debbie, and I must say that he did an excellent job at calming his patient, who knows a lot, but not quite enough (Apology noted to Dr. Teklits). His explanations put Debbie at ease and she was able to rest comfortably thereafter (and thanks to the fentenol!!).

The group explained that Debbie has an old fashioned UTI that they are now treating with antiobotics. They know what the bacteria is and how to handle it -- that is good. The bad news is that her kidney function levels are elevated (PKD problem) but the good news is that they know why-- there were high levels of the anti-rejection drug that impact the kidney function, so they will back this off for a day and her levels should improve.

As to Debbie's lower region problem, they explained that she is having a problem going not because of any organ failure but because one of the antibiotics negatively affects the efficacy of the bladder muscle. They have switched that one off and she is now "going" again, which is good. While very bloated and uncomfortable, we hope that this extra fluid will gradually come off and that she will become more comfortable over the next few days. We will cede the chair to Norm!

Deb is happy to be back on Rhoades 7 and we are hopeful that we will only have good progress to report tomorrow. The doctors were all very positive on her prognosis today and we know that Debbie will do her part and more. We thank you for your prayers and support. The past few days blogs are with Debbie in hard copy. Hopefully, she will be back on live shortly.

Deb sends her love to all.