[willowbrook] RE: update on Connie

[Taylor, Doug]

There was a chance Connie might've come home today, but it's not going to
happen.  She had a fever last night of 101.5 and the doctor wants the fever
cleared up before sending her home.  He is changing the antibiotics.  

They will be doing more blood work today, too.  Her blood counts are down so
they will be giving her a transfusion today (I think he mentioned a couple
of pints).  

The potassium is still low, but gradually climbing.  They're still adding
the potassium via pills instead of IV.  

She can eat anything she wants now.  She had eggs, grits, biscuit, & OJ for
breakfast though she could only eat about half.  We also walked a couple
times around the 7th floor this morning.  Her bowels are slowly adjusting to
the regular food.

I'm afraid it's still not a good idea for her to have visitors, though she
is getting very bored and lonely.  I usually stay with her all evening after
work.

Overall, she seems to be "moving in the right direction, 3 steps forward and
1 step backwards".  We'll just keep praying that the infection (wherever it
is) is dealt with quickly and doesn't cause any damage.

My mom is still here and Connie's sister will be coming from NC this weekend
to help out while my mom heads back to Knoxville for a week.

Y'all have been great support.  I print out any emails she gets and take
them to her when I visit.

Doug

>  -----Original Message-----
> From: 	Taylor, Doug  
> Sent:	Sunday, June 06, 2004 10:43 PM
> To:	'Taylor, Doug (home) '
> Subject:	RE: update on Connie
> 
> Well, Connie is still in the hospital.  The doctor plans to give an
> anti-diarrhea medicine for the "next few days", which is our only clue on
> how long she MIGHT remain in the hospital.  Yesterday her blood count was
> pretty low so they considered a blood transfusion, but today it stablized.
> Pray it stays stable.
> 
> Today they started allowing her to eat & drink clear stuff such as water,
> jello, broth, and clear fruit juices.  She went slow and over the course
> of the day had some water, a cup of jello, a bowl of broth, and some iced
> tea.
> 
> Meanwhile, Tricia appears to have fractured her wrist Saturday during a
> soccer game.  It's probably only a small fracture since there was little
> swelling.  The doctor gave her a splint and we'll do x-rays tomorrow to
> determine if a cast is necessary.  Unfortunately this affects the 3
> volleyball camps she was supposed to do this month as well as the puppets
> team she is involved with at VBS.
> 
> But at least my mom arrived today and will stay to help out around the
> house.  Looks like I'll be able to spend some time at work this week.
> 
> A nurse reminded me again today that visitors still pose a high risk for
> Connie to catch infections.  Even our own kids haven't been to the
> hospital yet.
> 
> Connie has requested you pray as follows:
> - The diarrhea stops (which is causing lots of problems).
> - She keeps a positive attitude.
> - The blood count stays up (to avoid a transfusion).
> - Potassium stays up.
> - No more veins are "blown" (potassium is rough on the veins).
> - The burning, itching and pain stops.
> - Cabin fever (staying in bed for 3 weeks is no fun).
> 
> Doug
> 
> 	 -----Original Message-----
> 	From: 	Taylor, Doug  
> 	Sent:	Friday, June 04, 2004 11:41 AM
> 	To:	'Taylor, Doug (home) '
> 	Subject:	RE: update on Connie
> 
> 	Connie was admitted yesterday (Thursday) to Huntsville Hospital
> Main.  She's in room 767.  While she's in the hospital, she cannot eat or
> drink anything - everything is done through the IV.  She seems to have a
> small infection, but it's being treated with antibodies.
> 
> 	> Can she receive visitors?
> 
> 	I think we better hold off on the visitors for a few more days.
> 
> 	> Do you know how long she will be in?
> 
> 	This weekend for sure.  I think the earliest she will be home is
> Sunday, but more likely Monday, but it's really too soon to tell.  They
> want the bowels to be functioning normally first.  She still has some
> abdominal pain and some indigestion, though neither is nearly as bad this
> morning as it was yesterday.  The worst pain right now is the burning
> sensation when she goes to the bathroom (and it lingers for quite a while
> afterwards, too).
> 
> 	They've decided to cancel the last 2 radiations.  The last 3 were
> presented to us as "optional" anyway (just for good measure, I guess).
> Therefore, all Connie needs to do now is get better!
> 
> 	Specific prayers:
> 	- Potassium levels are too low.
> 	- The burning sensation.
> 	- Bowels to start functioning normally.
> 	- Infections to go away.
> 
> 	Doug
> 
> 		 -----Original Message-----
> 		From: 	Taylor, Doug  
> 		Sent:	Thursday, June 03, 2004 9:03 AM
> 		Subject:	update on Connie
> 
> 		Connie has an impacted bowel.  They tried to clear it last
> night.  It worked, but only partially (in my opinion).  We're taking her
> to the doctor.  They said to bring an overnight bag just in case she needs
> to stay in the hospital for a little while.  She's having lots of
> abdominal pain and indigestion, plus she's dehydrated again from the
> diarrhea and vomiting.
> 
> 		--
> 		Z/I Imaging - www.ziimaging.com <http://www.ziimaging.com/> 
> 		Doug Taylor - mailto:dvtaylor at ziimaging.com
> <mailto:dvtaylor at ziimaging.com> 
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