Doug is still having some fevers, most likely from his heart problems. His blood counts have come up nicely from the transplant -- his white count is now normal.
Doug was taken off the ventilator at noon, and it went well. He was pretty drowsy but awake enough to cough on command. He is breathing on his own without trouble. His throat is dry and sore and he is talking in a whisper. He is very weak, maybe from the heart trouble and also from laying flat for four days on the ventilator.
Doug had a repeat echocardiogram (ultrasound study of the heart) at bedside today. The cardiologist says this is an unusual situation: The echo shows that some parts of the heart that were bad are now slightly better, but other parts that were normal are now worsening. It keeps changing, which is a mystery. The Takotsubu syndrome that was previously diagnosed does not account for this. He said that Doug's heart function is worse overall. The cardiologist has not ruled out a heart biopsy. Before the transplant ever started, Doug had a complete echocardiogram to rule out heart problems - it showed a normal heart. The transplant docs say they have never, in thousands of SCT, seen the chemo affect a heart this way, so that pretty much rules out chemo damage.
It could be a viral infection of the heart, but this is not following any usual pattern. Hope we get more information tomorrow!
Doug sat up in a recliner for one hour today and ate two bites of jello. Progress in tiny steps. Two nurses had to help him back into bed. He is so weak and so tired of all this, but he had a big day today. We both want to go home.
I read this verse to Doug: "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28
love to all and keep praying!
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2 comments:
This is good news!If the parts that were bad are a little better there is no reason not to think that other parts that are worsening will also get better in their own time. The heart needs to rest as does Douggie so that he is able to heal. The sooner he is out of the ICU the better. Hopefully the Docs will get a handle on the fever. My friend who is a brilliant Oncologist has read this blog. He sees no reason the Douggie won't recover as long as his heart heals . I have a feeling that whatever is happening to the heart is a process that should with enough peace and love and rest and medical support begin to reverse itsself. Some things can never be explained. Rest and calm will help. He should not be pushed. Let him recover at his own pace. His body knows best. Hugs to bothxoxoxo
Pat, I understand that 2 or 3 years ago the NCI had a cluster of patents undergoing stem cell transplant develop CARDIOMYOPATHY! This surprised them as this was not felt to be a common complication. They began a retrospective study. The details can be found at ClinicalTrials.gov and the identifier number for the trial is NCT00352209. I do not know whether or not the trial is ongoing or complete but I would think that your medical oncologist could look into it. In order to find the information I Googled "heart complications after stem cell transplant."I hope the above information is helpfulxoxoxo
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