Back to earth...and back to business

Hi everyone:

Diane Goryl (a.k.a. Diane from Milwaukee) posted a question this morning about whether or not Patty lasted for the whole event Friday evening. The answer is...almost. We stayed until the poker game was underway and most of the lingering party maniacs had ventured to the bar downstairs. Patty was running strong for most of the evening on adrenaline, I would guess, and settled into sleep on the high of a special night.

In the hotel on Saturday morning, before we packed up to head home, we had visits from a home health care nurse carrying a large doctor's bag, and then received a delivery from a medical supply service -- an IV pole, pump, box, bag and cooler full of medicine. We wondered what kind of looks these people were subjected to as they made their way through the hotel lobby.

After a pretty good week, healthwise, Patty is again experiencing more pronounced heart failure symptoms. Her breathing is somewhat labored, her rings are snug on her fingers, she's fatigued and she's nauseous. On top of this, she seems to be catching a cold. After we arrived home yesterday, Patty slept most of the time from the late afternoon until noon today. This sleep wasn't uninterrupted, I say with some regret. At some point early in the morning, I was having one of my many recent nightmares and, in perceived self-defence, almost shoved the cardiac patient out of bed...twice. I've been forgiven.

If all this weren't enough, Patty is scheduled for her second round of IVIG (intravenous treatment) starting tomorrow. This will involve a nurse being on hand for eight hours tomorrow and again on Tuesday.

The results of Patty's PRA (panel reactive antibodies) test came back. Her Class I antibodies are now at 44 percent (65 before), and her Class II antibodies have dropped from 100 percent to 95 percent. These reductions aren't as significant as doctors had hoped for at this stage, but we're choosing to regard any progress as a step in the right direction.

Please continue your positive thoughts for Patty -- I have a feeling the next couple of days may be a bit rough for our girl.

Love,
Brian