THE END OF A BUSY WEEK

Ron's echo was reviewed this week. His ejection fraction is still looking good but there are some other areas of concern that the doctors are monitoring. There seems to be a progression of some stiffening around the heart...unknown if this is rejection setting in or something else.

They plan to do another echo on Monday and they are also going to do another heart cath biopsy. He has not had any more atrial fibrillation episodes...but his rhythm still on occasion is doing some weird stuff.

They plan to have the pacemaker looked at again and see if any further adjustments need to be made.

The infection in his wound is still an issue. There is still some inflammation along the side of the wound. We tried getting an ultrasound today to see if there was anything going on further in the area that we cannot see. The ultrasound could not pick up anything and they suggested a CAT scan. But, given Ron's situation with the kidney ...it will have to be done without contrast. Hopefully, if there is something there ...it can still be viewed without it. He continues to receive the vancomycin on IV once a day.

His creatinin is going back up... today to1.9.....not sure what is going on now.
One doctor seems to think that it could be result of his Prograf level dropping below double digits. It seems as though when he is in double digits the creatinin seems to stay at normal range....not sure how much truth there is to this ....it could just be coincidence....but nonetheless...they increased his dosage a bit on the Prograf. It seems that the Cardiac team prefers his level under 10 and the renal team likes it at 10 or better. Hopefully, they can all find a happy medium and things can get a bit more stable in this area.

Ron is back on the IV lasix until Monday....still trying to get ahead on the fluid issue. They want to see him putting out more urine vs his fluid intake.

They are also starting him back up on Cytoxin ...his white cell count is up over 6 now. I was happy to hear this today as I have been very nervous with him off of it for so long. This is his chemo drug which helps with the b-cell rejection that he is so prone to.

Until we know more on his echo, biopsy and now CAT scan....it is unknown when I will be able to take him home.

I had hoped on Wed. or Thurs. of next week....but it looks as though it may not be until the following week.


On the physical therapy side of things...Ron made some big strides yesterday. He walked about 15 steps yesterday with the help of Rob from the wellness center. I will posts pictures as soon as I transfer them to a CD. I don't have my adaptor to connect my camera to the computer or I would have downloaded them today for you to see.

He first started with standing Ron up in his room and then having him shuffle his feet to the recliner. Then he stood him up again and they walked a few steps as Rob guided him in the room... four steps to start.

The recliner has wheels ...so I suggested that we wheel Ron out to the hallway to give him more room. Rob thought it was a great idea and had someone push the recliner behind him in the event he needed to sit right away.

So, that is what we did ....Ron said it felt great....tiring but it felt really good and a bit strange to be walking again.

He would take a few steps ...stop and take a breather...then start again. He walked all the way back into his room. He was quite exhausted but felt that he had crossed a very big hurdle.

Given that he was able to walk with assistance....we were now able to get the Physical Therapy department to send someone back in today to start working with him again...as he has crossed another level of therapy that they should be able to work with him on.

The PT person came by this morning...she brought a walker with her and we were able to stand Ron up from the bed and have him hold on to the walker for support. I also held on to him as well as she placed a security belt around him. We made sure he was first comfortable standing with the use of the walker and once we sat and stood a few times we then gave it a try for him to take a few steps using the walker. He said it felt strange using the walker as he has never used one before. We then sat him in his wheel chair and we helped him stand from there also using the walker ....he took about 8 steps supporting himself with the walker ....the PT person was very impressed with his progress. They will start coming in again to work with him but...of course...she could not guarantee it would be every day. They will try to coordinate with Rob what days to come so that they are not coming at the same time ....if they can alternate days ...this will give Ron more "walking time" each day.

"I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8