Very true John the drains as the Doctor said will remain in for 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month or 3 months... as long as it takes till they are satisfied with the fluid that is being drained or lack there of.

As you know Dr. John normal fluid released from the drains is like fruit punch in color. Michele's left drain is slightly green which indicates bile. But as I said her bili keeps dropping now down to 1.3 from 8.5 seven days ago as well as all her other liver funtion related blood work is excellent. We will keep close eye on symptoms related to increase bile floating in her body as well as signs of rejection and if we are at all concerned the Doctors are just a phone call away.

I look forward to seeing you and Trish as well as everyone else later this month in New Hope.

 

Charlie- I can not believe so much has happened in the last month. I have not spent much time on the board lately and just discovered this post and followed the ups and downs you, your wife and her cousin have gone through. I believe I met you at the February meet and I had no idea your wife was ill. This thread speaks of the heroism of all three of you. Your wife battling back from such a debilitating disease, her cousin for giving your wife the gift of life at the possible cost of her's and you sticking by her side comforting and supporting her. All three of you will be in my prayers. May God Bless you all.

 

Great news! Sounds like today was worth two giant steps forward. Charlie, my family is very please that all our prayers are being answered. We will keep up the faith and prayers for all of you.

The next time you are with Michele give her one big kiss from us all.

 

Hey Charlie all good news, but bile leaking leaking into a drain or into the peritoneal cavity(belly) if drain is pulled to early will not bump her bili or other lft's and is not reliable to keep tabs on this.What good labs are telling us is that the liver is humming along and there is no obstruction to bile flow.We may have to award you an honorary MD after this is over.You could probably embarres some of the nervous residents on rounds!

 

very true John.. My wife and I have been studying her disease and the side effects that go along with post transplant surgery for 5 years.

I don't want to pat myself on the back but when she was in ICU and her heart rate was in the 160's and her BP was 65 over 47 after noticing the Docs were a bit perplexed and not sure which dorection to begin treating her I mentioned her hypothyroidism and they checked it out and sure enough it was very low. Once they started her on some synthroid her heart rate and BP improved dramatically. It pays to be a well informed patient and spouse, and the Doctors appreciate it as well. It makes their job of detectin and then explaining exactly what is going on easier.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 'smyroad
[B]Charlie-

 

Hey charlie-

Yes, great news (and how many car-crazy boards have 2 or 3 MD's online )

How about amailing name & address for the Betty Bacharach thingy in Pomoma? Duya think that Michele would like to get some snail mail greetings to keep her (and ewe ) out of trouble

Jerry

 

4/10/02 Wed.
10:30pm

Michele was transported to Betty Bacharach Rehab Center today. She is being treated like a queen and they are very excited to have her there. This is the first liver transplant patient they have had in their care. It also helps that our last name is Bruno and for those of you in the Del-Val area you know that name has a connection to the local mob(which we are no relation to but they don't have to know that )

Her progress considering were she was on Easter Sunday and what she has been thru is beyond description. I amazed and thrilled to see how much stronger she is today than she was just 2 days ago. She is able to get out of bed on her own and walk to the bathroom without any assistance not to mention there is some spring in her steps now.

She will begin her physical therapy tomorrow which will be for 4 hours per day. This will be hard but the benefits should be wonderful.

I am very excited as to what I am seeing presently and can't wait to see how much stronger she will be in the next coming days.

till tomorrow

Charlie

 

Charlie,

Great news... I've been silently following this thread...

I used to work for Kennedy Medical Center in Physical Therapy and can say that the therapists out there are very well trained. The big key is going to be your support of her. She will need that through therapy.

Also, I was raised in Howard Beach (John Gotti territory)...

Although I have no relations, you could always say, "you better take good care of her, otherwise my friends from Howard Beach are NOT going to be too happy..."

Wish you and your wife all the best and looking foward to meeting you guys when you are up to it...

Buzz

 

Charlie,

What's the latest? I haven't checked the thread lately, although I did hear from Jerry that Michelle's condition was steadily improving. I was very relieved to hear the good news, although I know the ordeal is not yet over.