Kevin's Watch

Hi again everyone. I got a text a bit ago from Eric and he's confused as to why all of this is happening to Tracie. Whether or not we expected these complications before she went in for surgery. I'll try to clear up some stuff.

When we first discussed the surgery we knew that it would be high risk because she was already in stage 3 with the NHL and her immune system was already very compromised, not to mention that she only has one lung. But, we elected to do it because the chemo would have a better chance of working without the cancerous spleen. We did not anticipate the sepsis. Sepsis is a bacterial infection of the blood stream. It was not caused by the surgery. We believe it was from the pnuemonia she had. It did NOT show up before the surgery and we had no way of knowing that it would show up after. But it did. The sepsis is what is causing all the complications right now. Heart rate flucuations, fevers, rash, coma, and now kidney failure. The coma came about because of the febral seizures she was having. Until we can clear up the sepsis, she will continue to have problems because it is in the blood and because her immune system is weak.

Even if she did not have the surgery, she probably still would have developed sepsis. We just didn't know she would before.

There is one more thing, and I really hesitate to say it, because saying it only makes it all the more real, but in cases like Tracie's, where the immune system is weak, either with AIDS or cancer, the mortality rate for those who contract sepsis is 60%. So until it's cleared up, I'm scared to death. I may lose my wife to this infection, I thought I was going to this past weekend.

Anyway, hope that clears up some of the confusion about what is happening to her.

Thanks all for the support.

Russ

For Tracie, Russ, Brooke, and all of their family and friends, including those of our dysfunctional family here on the Watch.



That said, I asked Hyperception precisely what the spleen does in the body. Is it like the appendix, which could be removed relatively safely? Or did it still serve a function in the adult human? Hyperception is not a doctor or anything; perhaps dlb or someone could answer this better. But I really didn't want to look it up and read some medical description which would fly over my head anyway. So, while I accept what Hyperception told me, take what he said with a grain of salt. He could be totally off base.

As far as he knows, it is not really known what the spleen does, but things seem to point that it is related to the immune system. More often than not, the spleen becomes inflamed in those with auto-immune disorders. And when the spleen is removed, the immune system goes off kilter. So, in the shape Tracie is in, the fact that it is the spleen that was cancerous and needed to be removed only added insult to injury.

Or so I understand it...

Thanks, Russ. It's all a whole lot confusing, and a whole lot terrifying. Thanks for drudging it all up to explain it.

Yes, thanks for the explanation. It helps to understand a little bit about what is going on.

Thanks Harley Guy. We're all scared to death, and praying, hoping, willing. Loving. Lost for words, but still wishing to send best thoughts, and hoping to give you and your family strength.

Yeah, here's hoping it all turns out well.

--A

Just received via text within ten minutes:

Harley Guy: All OK, Tracie has no temp today.
Menolly: Yay on no temp! Is she awake yet?
Harley Guy: Off and on. She also has some kidney function back. Liz is a miracle worker.

hehehe, he just sent the same out to the text group.

Menolly wrote:Just received via text within ten minutes:

Harley Guy: All OK, Tracie has no temp today.
Menolly: Yay on no temp! Is she awake yet?
Harley Guy: Off and on. She also has some kidney function back. Liz is a miracle worker.

hehehe, he just sent the same out to the text group.

Another step in the right direction!

Come on girl! You're making me nervous!

Best news all day!

Good news everyone! Dad is bringing Mom home in a couple of hours! No fever and her kidneys are functioning again! She still has the sepsis, so she will be on IV meds. We have everything we need to take of her here at home. My sister, brothers and I are so happy! We wish to thank all of you for all the prayers and love you sent her way and ours.

Hugs to all!

Welcome home, Furls!

Awesome

WOW!! That's awesome! Go Furls, go Furls!

Excellent news!

Hooray!

YES!!

So glad for all of you...

Every time I've come home lately, the first place I'd visit online was here, hoping for the best.

Furls Fire, you are amazingly strong.

That is great news!!!!!!! So glad to hear that. Tracie as well as the whole family will continue to be in my prayers

Mom got home around 2 today, she is so happy to finally be home. Meggie won't leave her bed, so they are resting together, Meggie is "reading" to her. All the little ones were so excited to see her, they haven't been able to visit her in the hospital because they were too young, so it's been over two weeks since they saw her. They were all talking to her at once.

She's still quite weak, but we believe that being home will help her regain her strength and help her get better faster. It may be some time before she is able to come online, but she wanted me to tell you all that she loves everyone so much and thanks you all for all your love and support during her battles. And she said to give you all huggles.

So, huggles from Mom!

God bless you all!