Update from Barb - Friday PM

August 17, 2007

Clinic today. Good thing too, because Ken had a temp of 101.4. The rule for all

transplant patients.... call any time temp goes to 100. Today, they made a new

rule just for Ken - don't call (even at 101) call only if you can't bring it

down. So I guess fevers are now going to be part of his daily life, they leave

him feeling like poop, the chills that come with them (on top of feeling cold

after transplant) make him shake, but it's not like we have a choice here. His

ammonia level was 99, so naturally the doc started him on lactulose. Total

bummer, neither of us is ready to do this all over again. Every shot he gives

himself turns black and blue, but we're hopeful they stop any more blood clots

from forming. They are going to order another CT for next week, looking for

infarcts and/or any other kind of damage.

The only bright spot of our day.....Annie, a new Baylor volunteer. Today was her

first day on the job, she looked so cute with her employee badge on. Did I

mention Annie is a dog? Ken and I nearly tripped over each other trying to pet

her. It gave us something new to talk about and we both agreed Roxie would make

a great volunteer, as she knows so many tricks.

TJ came in today and when Ken mentioned he had a taste for Chinese food, he flew

out the door and currently is cooking away. Ahhh the way to a caretaker's heart

- a man who cooks.!

Barb

August 18, 2007

Arne, can you get a message to Barb? I had daily fevers prior to the

discovery of the fungal blockages -- due to antibiotic use post

surgery. Is it possible that Ken has a blockage caused by a fungus?

I would be fine in the a.m. and would have shaking chills and a fever

everyday by noonish..... Apparently the fungal masses drifted out of

the locked position when I was lying down and then would settle in

after I was up and about.

Penny

So I guess fevers are now going to be part of his daily life, they

leave him feeling like poop, the chills that come with them (on top of

feeling cold after transplant) make him shake, but it's not like we

have a choice here.

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