Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Back in the Hospital

We're back to our tiny little closet, sure haven't missed it, by that sarcasm I mean Jerry was admitted back into Dominican Hospital.  We'll start with the good news the MRI results showed no evidence of a Syrinx, thanks for all the prayers.

Monday started with getting Jerry through the morning routine and ready to go to Santa Cruz for the MRI.  The weekend was hard for Jerry his pain increasing and not being managed so well with the pain medication.  Jerry was having a difficult time sitting upright for more than 2 minutes, he couldn't breath and was close to passing out when he tried.  After getting through the MRI we headed to see Jerry's doctor who was able to ease our mind with regards to the syrinx but it was a rather upsetting visit.  While viewing the MRI with the doc we were able to see the damaged area of Jerry's spinal cord.  I was shocked to see the difference in size between the healthy cord and the damaged cord.  The doc explained that the spinal cord atrophied just like muscles can atrophy, I didn't know that could happen and seeing it on film was rather shocking.  I couldn't contain the tears as hard as I tried, even writing this the tears return. It's gonna take a miracle, so please keep Jerry in your prayers.

Jerry's doctor was concerned so he sent us to the lab for some blood tests and on to Radiology for another chest x-ray.  The chest x-ray taken Monday was significantly different form the x-ray taken 4 days prior so Jerry was admitted once again to the hospital.  The x-ray showed a significant amount of fluid in Jerry's right lung the lung that had the embolism.  The official diagnosis is "Pleural Effusion" you can click on that for the clinical definition. The simple definition of pleural effusion is an accumulation of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity.  Thoracentesis is the procedure the pulmonologist used to remove the fluid from Jerry today.  I was able to be present for the procedure and I gotta say that needle was gnarly. I was astounded with the amount of fluid they drew out, 1 1/2 liters and they didn't even get all of it. Another chest x-ray was performed directly following the thoracentesis which showed some fluid remains.  My understanding is they will do another chest x-ray in a couple days to determine if the fluid is building again.
The cause of the pleural effusion is yet to be determined however the pulmonologist believes the lung infarct developed an infection.  The good news is Jerry feels so much better with minimal pain after the removal of the fluid.

So here we are again anxiously awaiting to go home, desperate to get Jerry back to health, we are hoping to be released by Thursday. 

Thank you everyone for keeping Jerry in your prayers, we appreciate the support and warm wishes.

Love to all,

Katie

3 comments:

Trish said...

Katie, you should be a doctor - you have a great way of explaining what's going on and I can visualize it as I read it.

I am relieved about the syrinx and that the fluid removed has eased Jerry's pain. Seems we can endure most things our children feel, and pain isn't one we do well.

Rest assured so many of us pray, daily, even more times in the day, for all of you. We now have something to visualize and hopefully can hold the picture in our mind's eye when we pray...prayers for the return of strength and stability to his cord. And continued prayers for you and Dennis and the kids as you surmount each new event.

I honor you, Katie. To use and analogy I I once heard the father of a young boy with congenital muscular dystrophy tell his son, "Jesse, you gotta play with the cards you're dealt. You're in the game for a while. Some hands are garbage and some hands are sweet." We carry you when the hand is garbage and celebrate with you when they're sweet.

Give Jer a tweek on the cheek for me.

love to you,
Trish

Anonymous said...

Katie and Dennis,

My thoughts and prayers are with you every day. You are honest about the pain, you celebrate any progress, and all in all you show wonderful grace under extreme pressure.

Go Jerry!

--Gerri the Other (Becky's mom)

Aunt Teresa said...

God Bless all of you. were Praying for you.