Monday, September 5, 2016

Spring/Summer Hospital Stay Day 10 Comment #4

May 26, 2016

In spite of the announced arrival of the matched platelets Angela Burslerexperienced a very tough day today. The quick and short of it is that the three big symptoms fever, headaches and elevated blood pressure returned with a vengeance. Most of the day she was non-responsive and in obvious pain. Doctors were in and out of her room often but none could provide a quick fix to her problems. In fact, at one point, she reached her max dosage of Tylenol so headaches were treated by icing her head and main arteries. Poor woman suffered mightily but never gave in.
Contributing to her pain is the ever deteriorating lung capacity caused by fluid in the lungs resulting in shortness of breath. Mid-day today she was told that if the volume of Oxygen used to assist with her breathing had to be increased consideration would be given to putting her in ICU. She struggled, especially when getting up to urinate, but the Oxygen was never increased and she remained in the general care unit.
She was visited today by the infectious disease and neurologist teams neither of which had solutions to her problems. Tomorrow we expect a visit from the Nephrology team to report on the condition of her kidneys. In preparation for that visit an ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder was done today. Antibiotics and other medicines have reduced kidney functionality below normal so this team has been called to do an exam.
Lots of suffering today but we are hopeful that the infusion tonight of the matched platelets will spark a dramatic improvement. If the platelets have the desired effect than fluid can be removed from her lungs allowing her to breathe freely.
The symptoms are beating her down but she has the heart of a lion and is holding her own.

No comments:

Post a Comment