Latest update from Barb - 0500 PM CDT

[Guest guest]

Ken is getting his 2nd plasmapheresis right now, so we have an hour or so (it

takes 3) of quite down time. We found an empty room away from the 100% insane

ICU waiting room and here we sit.

Ken's ammonia level doubled overnight, but he couldn't be any more confused, so

who cares. He did recognize us, so that's good, Kim took a bunch of pictures of

the dogs yesterday and he 'seemed' interested in them. His LFTs are a little

better today, but his amylase & lipase are both elevated over yesterday's

numbers (nasty acute pancreatitis & TTP). Platelets are down by half (not good),

fever holding steady (good, I guess, it's not higher) and they found a urinary

tract infection and started new antibiotics for that. He isn't on the vent

(really good), because he is breathing on his own. His nurse shaved him today

(he left a mustache) and when I asked him who gave him the shave, he said 'that

jackass over there'. Some of his confusion is funny, some not at all, but we're

happy he's talking and breathing on his own.

Wish I had a better report, but all in all, I guess we're happy with today's

update.

Barb