Infection update

Joe remains in Strong Memorial hospital on day 6. He is doing much better though and gets a little better every day. He is having trouble getting a full breath and the tap on the lung pleural space really did little to help this issue. Most likely he will come home with oxygen. Because he has been experiencing so much pain, yesterday afternoon he went for an ultrasound of his liver, pancrease, gall bladder and bowels. We have not heard the results of them yet. I arrived at the hospital while Joe was in ultrasound. My brother-in-law Bill was able to stay with him during the whole procedure. Joe arrived back in the room at 4 pm and shortly after, Bill came in. Apparently he was dispatched to get Joe a "20 below zero cocoa" drink!! Apparently he was not only thirsty but starving. Bill had ordered him lunch which was also waiting in the room. They both told me about the procedure, drank their cocoa and Joe picked a little at his lunch.

Dr Kohli came in a little while later and said that he would be looking at the ultrasound and get back to us today as to what they found. The head CT that Joe had, while blurry, did not indicate any tumors in the brain (YEAH!) or issues with blood clots or swelling. Hopefully today we will know more. Dr Kohli thought he looked much better than he was and said he had to discuss with the team how and when to get Joe home.

Yesterday they also had to change the IV line in his arm as it had clogged. Apparently Joe slept through most of the procedure!

I have spoken to him this morning and he said he had a better night's sleep than the previous night and was feeling better - less pain in his gut and in his back. He was going to order breakfast and I told him I would see him at noon.

Joe wants to talk to Dr Kohli about reinserting a central line and still giving the chemo a try. Last night before I left we discussed his options and he is still wanting to give this a shot. I told him that I would make it happen.

Thanks to all for - - everything!

With continued hope,
Vicki, Gina & Tom