Update from Barb - noon CDT

July 10, 2007

Good afternoon everyone,

Late yesterday afternoon (Monday) Ken was finally moved from the ICU to the

transplant floor. He had so much pain yesterday, I was beginning to worry about

something else going wrong. This morning he told me they had the feeding tube

going way to fast (200 instead of 50) and that caused all the pain.

His LTF's (Liver function) are all perfect. His amylase & lipase are also normal

for the first time, so the pancreatitis is gone. They will be keeping an eye on

it to make sure it doesn't raise it's ugly head again.

His kidneys aren't doing as well as we had hoped and the TTP isn't helping

things. Dr McKenna says the kidneys and TTP kind of go hand in hand, so we're

hoping when one clears up the other might follow. Dr McK is planning on Ken

getting the full 14 days of Plasmapheresis, I think we are on day 8 (but not

sure). Ken's Bun & Creatine (kidney) numbers are a little higher today, but Dr

McK isn't going to send him down for dialysis, instead he wants to wait and see

if Ken's kidneys will work on their own. They remove one med and start another,

only to reverse what they did the day before. Fine tuning Ken's meds is an art

form in itself. He is going to get another Thymo round today, what they will

replace the Prograf with, is anyone's guess.

TJ helped Ken get up twice yesterday, he managed to walk 3 or 4 steps each time,

but yesterday's pain kept him in bed most of the time. Today, I'm hoping he will

be able to make it to the hall. His lungs (especially the right) haven't cleared

up, so moving around can only help. He isn't happy about that, but is willing to

do 'Whatever it Takes'.

If I don't update every day, *assume* Ken is doing fine, but that I'm too tired

and/or just too lazy to type, it's been a long 3 weeks.

If you're so inclined, please say a prayer for Tim & . is a 31 year

old man from Austin, TX who just got 'the call'. (, I'm thinking about

you all and know will do great.)

Dr just came in and said they WERE going to send Ken to dialysis today.

That's good, he has quite a bit of swelling and dialysis will remove some of

that fluid. Not only will that make him feel better, but it will help him breath

better too.

I added photos today. Ken after the 1st transplant (while he was still on the

vent) and after the 2nd transplant, both photos taken in the ICU.

Barb

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