friends.........
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Levittown
Just joined the group tonight and found this thread.... Really don't know what to say, but the three of you will definately be in my thoughts and in my prayers... Deptford isn't too far away... If you need anything, feel free to ask...
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From: Deptford, New Jersey
3/23/02 saturday
7:45 am
Friday was not a good day for Michele. She started accumulating more fluid in her lung and her breathing became very difficult.
They tried to give her lasik to remove the fluid but it didn't help much. She became unstable about 9pm last night and they had to incubate her and then tap her lung.
Before they could tap her lung though she needed to be put back on a respirator and moved to ICU as to avoid any complications.
They removed most of the fluid and she should be off the respirator by lunch time today as long as everything goes as planned and back in her room by tommorow afternoon, but we take one step at a time.
It is common for post transplant patients to accumulate fluid but b/c of the muscle loss she has had, her diaphram is not as strong as the average person. If the fluid was in her belly there would be no concerns at all with her recovery and we would all be sleeping now, but unfortunately for Michele it has settles in her right lung.
The Docs believe some of it is caused by the fluids and TPN they are giving her and they may have to adjust them so her body can get rid of some fluid on it's own.
The liver is working great and besides this fluid collection it is performing as a good liver should.
The liver has so many functions to perform producing albumin which helps her body get rid of fluids is one of the last things to come back unfotuantely.
Well, I hope this reads well I'm awfully tired and emotionally drained after last night.
two steps forward one step back, hopefully today we can make 2 more steps forward.
FYI Kristen is doing great so far just very tired and sore.
I'll keep in touch.
Charlie
7:45 am
Friday was not a good day for Michele. She started accumulating more fluid in her lung and her breathing became very difficult.
They tried to give her lasik to remove the fluid but it didn't help much. She became unstable about 9pm last night and they had to incubate her and then tap her lung.
Before they could tap her lung though she needed to be put back on a respirator and moved to ICU as to avoid any complications.
They removed most of the fluid and she should be off the respirator by lunch time today as long as everything goes as planned and back in her room by tommorow afternoon, but we take one step at a time.
It is common for post transplant patients to accumulate fluid but b/c of the muscle loss she has had, her diaphram is not as strong as the average person. If the fluid was in her belly there would be no concerns at all with her recovery and we would all be sleeping now, but unfortunately for Michele it has settles in her right lung.
The Docs believe some of it is caused by the fluids and TPN they are giving her and they may have to adjust them so her body can get rid of some fluid on it's own.
The liver is working great and besides this fluid collection it is performing as a good liver should.
The liver has so many functions to perform producing albumin which helps her body get rid of fluids is one of the last things to come back unfotuantely.
Well, I hope this reads well I'm awfully tired and emotionally drained after last night.
two steps forward one step back, hopefully today we can make 2 more steps forward.
FYI Kristen is doing great so far just very tired and sore.
I'll keep in touch.
Charlie
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 232
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From: N. Chicago suburb
Charlie: I just read this thread for the first time today. I'm glad that the new liver is working well, and I hope they can get the fluid collection problem under control.
You and Michele and Kristen will be in my thoughts and wishes for continued speedy recoveries.
You and Michele and Kristen will be in my thoughts and wishes for continued speedy recoveries.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,698
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From: Deptford, New Jersey
3/23/02 Saturday
10:45pm
Michele is in stable condition but remains in ICU on a respirator. She accumulated a lot of fluid in her lung and they have removed most of it which helped.
First I'll go with the concerns then the positives from her Doctors point of view.
The Doctors are concerned for this reason. My wife is very very very weak. She lost a lot of her muscle mass which also includes her diaphragm hence the trouble breathing. They will prob keep her there for a couple days but are going with a 24 hour game plan.
The good news: Her new liver is still operating perfect with no complications. And they feel confident that they have the fluid under control. She is stable in the ICU and her vitals are good. I was told the respirator is at 20 which is low b/c at 10 they can take a person off. This means as I understand it she is breathing ok on her own but they want her lungs to fully expand as to speed up the healing process as well as help with getting rid of and keeping off more fluid.
That's were we are she was resting when I left with not too much anxiety. All we can do is take it one hour at a time and hope she begins to recover from this set back.
The Doctors also feel if they can get rid of most of the fluid her response will be very positive. But we just have to wait only time will tell.
Kristen is coming along but slower than expected. She had to have a transfusion today b/c her hemoglobin was 8.5 normal being about 12. This could explain why she has been extremely tired and weaker than expected. She also gained 15lbs since the surgery all b/c of fluid collection in her belly. This is being remedied with lasik and we are happy to report she peeing regularly every 15 minutes
I got to see her incision today and all I could say is WOW it's a very large Mercedes symbol like cut. I understand my wife's is larger b/c the had to remove all of my wife's diseased liver.
Well that's it I'm going to watch a little speedvision now and prob fall asleep in 15 minutes.
will check in later tomorrow
10:45pm
Michele is in stable condition but remains in ICU on a respirator. She accumulated a lot of fluid in her lung and they have removed most of it which helped.
First I'll go with the concerns then the positives from her Doctors point of view.
The Doctors are concerned for this reason. My wife is very very very weak. She lost a lot of her muscle mass which also includes her diaphragm hence the trouble breathing. They will prob keep her there for a couple days but are going with a 24 hour game plan.
The good news: Her new liver is still operating perfect with no complications. And they feel confident that they have the fluid under control. She is stable in the ICU and her vitals are good. I was told the respirator is at 20 which is low b/c at 10 they can take a person off. This means as I understand it she is breathing ok on her own but they want her lungs to fully expand as to speed up the healing process as well as help with getting rid of and keeping off more fluid.
That's were we are she was resting when I left with not too much anxiety. All we can do is take it one hour at a time and hope she begins to recover from this set back.
The Doctors also feel if they can get rid of most of the fluid her response will be very positive. But we just have to wait only time will tell.
Kristen is coming along but slower than expected. She had to have a transfusion today b/c her hemoglobin was 8.5 normal being about 12. This could explain why she has been extremely tired and weaker than expected. She also gained 15lbs since the surgery all b/c of fluid collection in her belly. This is being remedied with lasik and we are happy to report she peeing regularly every 15 minutes
I got to see her incision today and all I could say is WOW it's a very large Mercedes symbol like cut. I understand my wife's is larger b/c the had to remove all of my wife's diseased liver.Well that's it I'm going to watch a little speedvision now and prob fall asleep in 15 minutes.
will check in later tomorrow
