Samuel continued to have a fever this morning (Sunday). He also had a new pain in his right abdomen/side. Our first thought was appendicitis! Dr. G. thought it would be a good idea to get him checked out so I brought Samuel and Katie into the emergency room. I was already planning to bring Katie to the hospital on Sunday morning after speaking with the doctor on Saturday night. We suspected that she had developed a bladder or kidney infection and the doc wanted her to be seen. The three of us went to the emergency room while Tom took everyone else to church.
The short version of the story is that Katie does have an infection. They will grow a culture to find out exactly what type. Meanwhile, she got a prescription for antibiotics and drove home. She is feeling pretty lousy, but should perk up in a day or two.
Samuel, on the other hand, spent a very long day in the emergency room. He eventually had a CT scan which showed that he has a pocket of infection in his right renal fossa....the same site where he had so much trouble last winter. The size of the infection is about 2" x 2" x 5". They are planning to place a drain through his back into this pocket in order to drain it. Samuel has, in the past, had two other drains in the same spot. Both previous drains were very painful for him. We are hoping that this time will be different.
After hanging out in the emergency room for 10 hours, Samuel was admitted and moved upstairs to the pediatric floor. Tom came for a visit and brought my computer, a toothbrush, and some clothes. Some of the Conchieris also came to cheer and to pray. Thanks, guys!
With the help of Benadryl and some pain medication, Samuel is now sleeping. The drain placement is scheduled for first thing Monday morning.
Samuel is VERY discouraged. We covet your prayers!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Good News and Bad News
Four weeks have passed since I last posted. Katie continues to heal with great success. Her creatinine is absolutely normal!! She is making fantastic progress, even reducing some of her medications. She "graduated" this week from once-a-week clinic appointments to once-a-month visits. Katie will still have to have her blood drawn each week for monitoring, but won't need to see the docs unless there is a problem. She is already picking out classes for the fall semester and is excited about getting back into life! This is the miracle of organ donation! How grateful we are to Kelly!!
Unfortunately, the report for Samuel isn't so exciting. He really hasn't been well since he was discharged from the hospital in February. He has been battling Clostridium difficile (C. dif), an overgrowth of bad bacteria in his gut, and has been through several courses of antibiotics in an attempt to knock it out. He has also been plagued by debilitating back pain and nausea. He has just been one sick boy! His labs have gotten progressively worse as his kidney function has declined. We've known for a few weeks now that Samuel was headed back to dialysis, we just didn't know exactly when that would be.
Last week on Friday, Samuel had to take a special medication because his potassium was dangerously high. On Monday this week, with a creatinine of 4.62 and his potassium and phosphorus high, Dr. G. gave Samuel the option of starting dialysis that day or the next. He chose to wait a day. It was quite a disappointment for Samuel (and all of us!). He was pretty quiet and withdrawn most of the day, but by dinner he was back to laughing and enjoying his sisters.
On Tuesday, May 13th, Samuel went in to the hospital to have another catheter placed in his chest. He was the most relaxed and chatty in pre-op that I've ever seen him. He told me all about the latest book he was reading until his throat got so sore that he had to stop talking! The procedure of placing the ash split catheter took just under an hour. Samuel was in the recovery room only a short time before they rolled him up to dialysis still asleep. The dialysis nurses welcomed us with smiles and hugs. The same nurse who did Samuel's very first dialysis run back in March '07 was there to do his 120th session!
After three dialysis sessions this week, Samuel still isn't feeling much better. He is having a hard time getting comfortable with the new catheter. He continues to sleep a good part of each day and has no appetite. He is discouraged with the whole scene and is losing confidence in the medical team. He just wants to feel better! He had a bit of a fever when he went to bed tonight, so we'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
I'm trying to psyche myself up for the ol' three-days-a-week-to-the-hospital routine. It is a hard schedule for everyone in the family. I would ask you to pray for us as we make the adjustments and especially for Samuel as he struggles physically and emotionally.
Thank you!
Unfortunately, the report for Samuel isn't so exciting. He really hasn't been well since he was discharged from the hospital in February. He has been battling Clostridium difficile (C. dif), an overgrowth of bad bacteria in his gut, and has been through several courses of antibiotics in an attempt to knock it out. He has also been plagued by debilitating back pain and nausea. He has just been one sick boy! His labs have gotten progressively worse as his kidney function has declined. We've known for a few weeks now that Samuel was headed back to dialysis, we just didn't know exactly when that would be.
Last week on Friday, Samuel had to take a special medication because his potassium was dangerously high. On Monday this week, with a creatinine of 4.62 and his potassium and phosphorus high, Dr. G. gave Samuel the option of starting dialysis that day or the next. He chose to wait a day. It was quite a disappointment for Samuel (and all of us!). He was pretty quiet and withdrawn most of the day, but by dinner he was back to laughing and enjoying his sisters.
On Tuesday, May 13th, Samuel went in to the hospital to have another catheter placed in his chest. He was the most relaxed and chatty in pre-op that I've ever seen him. He told me all about the latest book he was reading until his throat got so sore that he had to stop talking! The procedure of placing the ash split catheter took just under an hour. Samuel was in the recovery room only a short time before they rolled him up to dialysis still asleep. The dialysis nurses welcomed us with smiles and hugs. The same nurse who did Samuel's very first dialysis run back in March '07 was there to do his 120th session!
After three dialysis sessions this week, Samuel still isn't feeling much better. He is having a hard time getting comfortable with the new catheter. He continues to sleep a good part of each day and has no appetite. He is discouraged with the whole scene and is losing confidence in the medical team. He just wants to feel better! He had a bit of a fever when he went to bed tonight, so we'll have to wait and see what tomorrow brings.
I'm trying to psyche myself up for the ol' three-days-a-week-to-the-hospital routine. It is a hard schedule for everyone in the family. I would ask you to pray for us as we make the adjustments and especially for Samuel as he struggles physically and emotionally.
Thank you!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Katie is home!
After two surgeries and only five nights in the hospital, Katie is home! She still has lots of healing to do, but is off to a great start! Praises be to God on high!
Katie has to go back to the hospital to have her blood drawn both on Sunday and again on Monday. Her creatinine level will be monitored very closely at first to watch for any signs of rejection.
I am also very happy to report that Kelly was discharged from the hospital yesterday. She is staying in town and resting up at the hotel until her follow-up appointment with the surgeons on Monday. We are looking forward to spending some time with her and her husband tomorrow.
Not much more to say at the moment. My brain is tangled up in excitement, relief, gratefulness, and exhaustion.
Katie has to go back to the hospital to have her blood drawn both on Sunday and again on Monday. Her creatinine level will be monitored very closely at first to watch for any signs of rejection.
I am also very happy to report that Kelly was discharged from the hospital yesterday. She is staying in town and resting up at the hotel until her follow-up appointment with the surgeons on Monday. We are looking forward to spending some time with her and her husband tomorrow.
Not much more to say at the moment. My brain is tangled up in excitement, relief, gratefulness, and exhaustion.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Just One Day After the Transplant....
and Katie is cruisin'!! Amazingly, her stay in the ICU lasted less than 24 hours! She is now settled happily in Baird 686, at the other end of the hall from Kelly. The new kidney is working beautifully and making lots of great urine. Her creatinine is lower with every blood test. Katie has been up walking twice today and had a full meal at dinner. Wow, when a transplant works, it REALLY works! Please rejoice with us! I was able to say it when things were tough with Samuel and now I can say it when Katie is having such a speedy recovery....God is good!!
Many thanks to all of you who emailed Kelly today! I understand she got quite a pile. You guys are great! Thanks for giving Kelly a glimpse of the special family and friends that we have! Please continue to pray for Kelly's recovery. She is having a hard time.
Many thanks to all of you who emailed Kelly today! I understand she got quite a pile. You guys are great! Thanks for giving Kelly a glimpse of the special family and friends that we have! Please continue to pray for Kelly's recovery. She is having a hard time.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Transplant Report
Well, it was a long and exhausting day for all parties involved, but I'm so thankful to be able to report that both Katie and Kelly are tucked in for the night and resting. Katie is in the ICU and Kelly is up on the surgical floor. It was a very hard day for both of them. The Lord graciously granted us an uneventful and uncomplicated transplant. Let the healing begin!
I thought it would be great if we could do an email blitz for Kelly. I'll need your help. If you'd like to participate, please click on the link below. You'll need to type "Kelly Lamere, Baird 693" in the subject line. It would be best to write between now and 2:00 p.m. on Friday as emails aren't delivered on the weekend. Any emails that might arrive after Kelly is discharged will get snail mailed on to her by the kind volunteers at the hospital. Kelly has given a most precious gift and deserves to be recognized and honored. I'd be grateful if you all could help shower Kelly with words of love, encouragement, and appreciation.
I'm sure that Katie would also love to hear from people. Just type "Katie Smith, ICU M306" in the subject line. Katie will have a new room number in a couple days when she is able to leave the ICU but, again, those great volunteers will track her down and see that she gets her mail. Of course, you can also communicate with Katie through our family email address: smiths@smithfamilyfarmvt.com.
My eyes are refusing to stay open, so I will sign off. Many, many thanks for all the prayers, calls, and emails. The Lord has used you all to bless and encourage us! Thank you!
I thought it would be great if we could do an email blitz for Kelly. I'll need your help. If you'd like to participate, please click on the link below. You'll need to type "Kelly Lamere, Baird 693" in the subject line. It would be best to write between now and 2:00 p.m. on Friday as emails aren't delivered on the weekend. Any emails that might arrive after Kelly is discharged will get snail mailed on to her by the kind volunteers at the hospital. Kelly has given a most precious gift and deserves to be recognized and honored. I'd be grateful if you all could help shower Kelly with words of love, encouragement, and appreciation.
I'm sure that Katie would also love to hear from people. Just type "Katie Smith, ICU M306" in the subject line. Katie will have a new room number in a couple days when she is able to leave the ICU but, again, those great volunteers will track her down and see that she gets her mail. Of course, you can also communicate with Katie through our family email address: smiths@smithfamilyfarmvt.com.
My eyes are refusing to stay open, so I will sign off. Many, many thanks for all the prayers, calls, and emails. The Lord has used you all to bless and encourage us! Thank you!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Between Surgeries
I am very happy to report that Katie’s surgery yesterday went very well! Hallelujah!! Today is a little harder as she is experiencing some possible side effects from the pain medication (itchiness, blurred vision). Lord willing, she had her last dialysis session this morning. Yipeee! This afternoon she was able to get out of bed and walk a big loop around the unit. It was a bit of an exertion, but hopefully she’ll be up for another walk this evening. After that, the prayer is for a good night’s sleep!
Grandpa Ed is going to sit with Katie tonight while the rest of us gather at the hotel with Kelly and her family for some pizza. We are excited about meeting Kelly’s 13-year old daughter, Amberle. Poor Kelly’s last meal was at lunchtime, so she’ll only be able to drink while the rest of us eat.
The big day tomorrow starts early for Kelly. She has to check in to pre-op at 6 a.m. She will be the first one into the operating room between 7:30 and 8:30. It will probably be a couple hours later before the surgical team is ready for Katie.
We would be grateful for your prayers for a safe, uncomplicated surgery for both of these precious young women.
Grandpa Ed is going to sit with Katie tonight while the rest of us gather at the hotel with Kelly and her family for some pizza. We are excited about meeting Kelly’s 13-year old daughter, Amberle. Poor Kelly’s last meal was at lunchtime, so she’ll only be able to drink while the rest of us eat.
The big day tomorrow starts early for Kelly. She has to check in to pre-op at 6 a.m. She will be the first one into the operating room between 7:30 and 8:30. It will probably be a couple hours later before the surgical team is ready for Katie.
We would be grateful for your prayers for a safe, uncomplicated surgery for both of these precious young women.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Transplant Scheduled for Katie!
Time to fire up the blog again! Over the next week, I'll try to catch you up on some of the highlights from the last 7 weeks, but the exciting news for this post is that Katie has a donor and is scheduled to have her kidney transplant on April 16th!
Katie’s donor is a wonderful young woman named Kelly. We had the pleasure of meeting Kelly and her mom for the first time on February 26th when they came for dinner after a long day of testing at the hospital. Kelly lives in Massachusetts. She offered to donate her kidney after hearing about Katie’s need. We are unspeakably grateful to Kelly. Please pray that we might be able to minister to Kelly and her family as she makes sacrifices to give this incredible gift!
Katie’s donor is a wonderful young woman named Kelly. We had the pleasure of meeting Kelly and her mom for the first time on February 26th when they came for dinner after a long day of testing at the hospital. Kelly lives in Massachusetts. She offered to donate her kidney after hearing about Katie’s need. We are unspeakably grateful to Kelly. Please pray that we might be able to minister to Kelly and her family as she makes sacrifices to give this incredible gift!
Katie and her amazing donor Kelly
Katie was originally scheduled to have both her kidneys removed on March 19th (a bilateral nephrectomy), giving her 4 weeks to recover before the transplant on April 16th. Unfortunately, she got a serious infection in her dialysis catheter and the nephrectomy had to be cancelled. On Friday, March 21st, after her dialysis session, her catheter was removed. She was tubeless over the Easter weekend (and for her 21st birthday!) and had a new catheter put in on Monday, March 24th, before having dialysis again. Katie is finishing up a course of antibiotics.
The nephrectomy has been rescheduled for April 14th. Katie will get to “recover” on the 15th and then get wheeled back into the OR for the transplant on the 16th. It is a less-than-ideal plan, but the docs have decided it is the best one given all the factors. They feel that combining the double nephrectomy and the transplant into one surgery would just be too long and risky.
Please join us in praying for an uncomplicated, uneventful transplant experience for both Katie and Kelly.
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