Thursday +21 (2:45 PM)

I just finished speaking to the PA about Jackie's CT scan. She has had improvement in her lungs with regard to some small nodule formations that were seen on the last scan. She does have a small "ground-glass" occlusions. This would indicate a small amount of infection. At this point it is nothing to be concerned with and there will be no change to her treatment. In fact, if her body temperature continues to hold at below-threshold levels of 101.3 they will likely take her off IV antibiotics this weekend. They will take another chest X-ray today. If they can monitor the infection via X-ray they won't do another CT scan.

Jackie also has a tiny amount of fluid around her heart in the pericardial sack. Again, this is not a cause for concern at this point. They will monitor the situation to make certain it does not worsen.

Jackie is getting a unit of fluids today. The primary reason is they performed the CT scan "with contrast" which means a dye was used. They want to flush the dye from her system. Since she isn't eating or drinking normally they elected to giver her a unit.

Her counts are both up and down. Her RBC count is 9.4 which is down from 10.4 yesterday. Her WBC count is 2.4 which is up from 2.0 yesterday. Her neutrophils have improved from 700 to 1000. Her platelets have dropped to 74 from 101 yesterday. They've decided the 163 platelet count from a week or so ago was an anomaly.

Overall her condition is improved today. She has been more active and her energy level is improved. She was able to walk to the hospital this afternoon without need of the wheelchair.

We return this evening for the 3rd round of IV antibiotics. It is scheduled for after 10:00PM. This allows for a complete viewing of the TV show ER - the place I received my training as a part-time doc:)

Until later,

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN