News from Kate and Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi all -

Just checked their caringbridge site and I wanted to share that Deb

is fighting some rejection. I thought we should keep them in our

prayers. --Deb in VA

Here is what Kate says,

" Journal

Sunday, May 28, 2006 11:34 AM CDT

Its sunday morning and instead of waking up to a view of the mtns, I

see nothing but rain! We did not make it to the cabin this weekend

and certainly glad we did not try to go camping!

Deb has been in the hospital since Friday with diagnosis of moderate

rejection. I am still not exactly clear what " moderate " means, but

she got a heavy dose of prednisone (1 gram) last night and will get

500mg this morning. She has had low grade fevers off and on of

unknown origin, then had

a slightly higher one on Wed night, (improved with Tylenol).

Thursday night she had one again, but we decided to wait it out,

knowing what would be in store for us with a trip to the ER (been

there, done that). Anyway, she had the chills in the middle of the

night and then in the am her temp was 103.8. A quick call to the doc

and we were headed to the ER. I stayed for awhile and then went to

work when I was sure she would be admitted. She got a room by mid

afternoon after labs, chest xray, etc. They did a liver biopsy as

well because her liver enzymes were slightly elevated (her first

since transplant). They gave her an IV fluid dose and really not

much else, pending results. She had to lay on her side for 4 hours

after the biopsy and then had a fair amount of pain afterwards. She

also had labs to see if she still had C-Diff (started Flagyl for

that 9 days ago). I don't know why Deb always gets sick on the

weekend, but thats the deal and things move slow because of it.....

She didn't get results of the biopsy back until mid afternoon

yesterday. They indicated that she was in some stage of rejection.

That was a surprise to both of us, as she really wasn't feeling that

bad. She has had terrible stomach cramps (thought it might still be

the C-Diff)and leg/arm pains, which they now have agreed that it is

related to her Cellcept. They have changed her med and say 50% of

the people experience relief... we will bank on that one!

Just spoke to Deb and she is very tired... had a antibiotic

breathing treatment of Pentamidine at about midnight, then awakened

every hour for blood sugar checks. She said she also peed out 4

liters in the night!

Hopefully, she will get some sleep this morning and I will do some

stuff around the house.

Morgen is at a friends, so its me and the dog and cat at home. It is

so quiet!

We have had other friends who have gone through some rejection

episode and done fine, so we are not worried. I have some concerns

about purchasing expensive plane tickets, but Deb is confident that

she will be fine in another month... Just talked to Deb and she says

she will probably get discharged on Monday if her blood sugar

numbers come down to a manageable level.

Will update more when I know something....

Kate "