Important update - lungs, lungs, lungs - prayers, prayers, prayers

Hello faithful readers! Thank you for being patient with us as often times it is difficult to update the blog every day (although we do try) because SO much activity is happening with dad on a daily basis.  Yesterday (June 18th), after three days of waiting for a private room on the third floor to open up, dad was moved out of the ICU. We made our 6th room move at about 5:00 pm.

Later last night, Dr. Nguyen came by for a check up/visit. The doctor didn't have much good news, but we will start with the positive news he did share.  Dad's liver and kidneys are hanging in there, thank you Lord. Dad's platelet count is now back in the normal range - hooray!  Platelets are blood cells that allow the blood to clot.  His WBC (white blood count) is now at 2.7 (in the thousands, so its 2,700) which is near the normal marker (4,000 - 11,000).

Now for the not so great news: he shared that after reviewing the latest CT scan, dad's lungs look worse.  If you've read previous blog entries you will remember that we have been dealing with fluid in the lungs for about one week now.  One week ago Dr. Garcia-Pacheco (we call him GP) suggested doing a bronchoscopy which would have allowed him to get a sample of the fluid in the lungs but ultimately it was decided that at that point dad wasn't stable enough to get through a surgical procedure - too risky based upon his platelet count and red blood count.  The doctors collectively decided at that point to treat him with all kinds of different anti fungal, anti viral, and anti bacterial medicines.  Those so far have not worked.  Last night Dr. Nguyen said he and GP were going to discuss some options for getting a sample of the fluid (needle biopsy or bronchoscopy - as now dad's numbers are more stable and he could sustain a procedure).  For now, the plan is to treat him with two different stronger anti viral and anti fungal medicines, and re-evaluate in two days.

  Dad has also been diagnosed with atelectasis - partial collapse of both bottom lungs.  All caregivers have stressed that he needs to get up, sit up, and try to move around as much as possible, all of which exercise your lung function.  It is possible to reopen these - so it is treatable.

Back to the WBC:  in a way its good that its not shooting up from 2.7 to 10.0 for example, because that could indicate that bad cells are firing off.  However, Dr. Nguyen said he would have expected to see more of a steady increase instead of a somewhat stagnate report on WBC for the last couple of days, which is considered unusual.  This slow recovery of WBC could be from the effect of all the different medicines hes been taking, but he is keeping a close eye on this.

Additionally, Dr. Nguyen sees changes in dad's bones between the last two CT scans.  Not to jump to worry mode yet all: he said that this could be the result of a NUMBER of different things, (i.e. hormone changes, calcium spots, etc) but dad will receive a full body bone scan tomorrow just to be sure.  Dr. Nguyen made it seem like this was a secondary worry compared to the lung issue.  

Like you all, we still can't believe he is going through this.  It's taxing on the mind, spirit, body and soul, even for the strongest of the strong.  However, its critical we remain as positive as possible.  I find myself needing to take my own advice many times. He is fighting so hard guys, he is truly amazing.  Please feel free to leave him well wishes, he needs to hear some positivity right about now.  Thank you so much.