Thursday +157 (Evening)

Not much to report. We did get some preliminary results from the biopsy. The "smears" were negative for a fungal infection and for a bacterial infection. The infection could still be fungal or viral, however. The cultures are not back yet. They will require 12-48 hours to get results. Also we have no result on CMV.

A couple of pulmonary docs were in and they are beginning to treat her for a fungal infection. They are giving her several new IV anti-fungals and antibiotics. They have two IVs running at once. They tried to start a second IV line in her arm so they can add a third IV, but were not able to find a vein. She's been stuck so many times in the last two or three days it's terrible. I think we are both looking forward to a new central line.

They are waiting on a central line to see if whatever is causing the infection can be treated by oral medication. If, by some stroke of luck, she can be treated orally there will be no need for a central line. The only problem is she will still need to be stuck once or twice a day for blood draws, etc.

Other than lack of energy, Jackie actually feels reasonably well. Her fever continues to be low-grade. With the exception of her Hemoglobin, her blood counts continue to be good. Her RBC (Hgl) is down to only 9.1. This would explain her lack of energy. Her WBC count is 3.9 which is down a bit but still very respectable. Her platelets are at a great 152.

Hopefully the drugs will be quick acting and the stay will be short. Hopefully!

As I write, a second IV nurse is attempting to get an IV in her hand. The first nurse stuck her twice and missed both times. One of the sticks nicked a vein. The current nurse is the "expert". She just hit a vein on the first stick. So now she will receive a new IV drug. They are currently using Levaquin. I've not heard of the new drug. It has a very long name that even the docs seem to have difficulty in pronouncing.

Until Later...

Bruce and Jackie
From Rochester, MN