Same--Still fevers

Michael's doctor says the viral infection is very serious.  So we thank you for your continued prayers and concern.
The good news about the fevers is his body is working to respond to the infection.  It is also good that he is up and walking in the halls and eating and drinking when he can.  The doctors continue to wean the steroids, which should help.
Mark came down for a few days and was coming up for ideas to up his protein intake.  He went back home today, but it was good for Michael to get some "Dad" time.  This Wednesday Melissa is coming down for almost a week.
Thank you for your prayers--Keep 'em coming!!!

Still Fevers

So far the cause of the fevers are two viruses.  The doctors still continue to monitor for bacterial infections.  The treatments are limited for viruses.  The best treatment is for to his body to fight it. So the doctors are weaning the steroids which will help the most.  
There are some positive signs his body is fighting them, however, Michael has a long way to go  and still he has fevers off and on. 
Our prayer requests are that the viruses and any infections resolve, that any GVHD resolve so the steroids can be weaned more quickly, for Michael to remain strong without further complications.  Thank you for your continued concern and all of your prayers.  They really help.

Still in the Hospital and Still Bumpy

Still in the hospital, and still having fevers off and on.  Michael is on several antibiotics, so we are watching.  A big part of the problem is the viral bladder infection, which is what irritated his ureters, causing the need for the tubes into the kidneys.  The kidney function has remained better since the tubes were put in.
The virus has also caused his platelets to drop, so he is needing frequent transfusions of platelets, right now about twice a day.  They want to keep his levels higher since he has the tubes in his kidneys.  
He also had some bleeding in his retinas in his eyes, but they said this should clear on its own.
Michael doesn't have much of an appetite, so his energy levels are low.  We are hoping to wean the steroids a little more tomorrow, which should help the viral infection.
Our prayer requests are for the fever (and any infections to resolve) and for his platelets and blood counts to rise and for any GVHD to resolve so he can be weaned from the steroids.
Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers.

Today was Better

A lot has happened since this last hospital admission two days ago.  Michael came in for fever and to flush his kidneys with lots of fluids.  We're still waiting on cultures, but he is covered with several antibiotics, but he has still had some fever, so Michael will be here for at least several more days. 
Now for the kidneys, Michael's kidney function test had been rising so yesterday the doctors inserted a nephrostomy tube into each kidney.  The tubes were inserted through the skin in his back and are now draining his urine.  The purpose of this was to bypass the ureters and bladder as the viral infection of his bladder he had in the past, which has come back after the intestinal bug, was irritating not just his bladder, but the ureters.  When the ureters are swollen it puts pressure on the kidneys, so the kidneys have to work harder.  (So there was probably no kidney stone with the last hospital admission, but the start of this issue with the irritated ureters.)  
Anyway, the good news today is the kidney function tests were much better and the doctors feel they will continue to improve.  It has also decreased his pain considerably.  However, the virus has been depleting his platelets, so he has required more platelet transfusions.  But, yesterday the doctors started decreasing his steroids for the Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD), which when the steroids are stopped will help the virus clear faster.  
A note on the handwashing issue I brought up as a prayer request, we have seen a big improvement--thanks.  The nurses on this floor have been super!
Our prayer requests:  for all infection--both bacterial and viral to resolve, the nephrostomy tubes to continue to resolve the kidney issues, for the GVHD to resolve so the steroids can be weaned and to remain in remission.  Thank you so much for your prayers, it has made this so much easier!!

Quick Second Update Today

This is what you will probably think a strange request, sadly it is true.  We have had an issue with handwashing and care of his central line in hospital.  We have brought this up several times to staff, but I wanted to add this to the prayer request that the staff be vigilant on these issues for Michael.  The nurses and staff have been great on everything but this issue, please send loving thoughts their way to remember this important aspect of Michael's care, while I continue to work with staff and  managers to make this happen.  Thanks again.

More Prayers Please

Out of the hospital for a day, but now back in again.  Michael has a little bit of a fever now, so it is back in the hospital on new antibiotics.  They have done blood cultures and checked his central line for infections as well, but that will take a few days to find out.  
The other big issue is his kidney function, the level was higher today.  He is getting lots of fluids today and unless his level is dropping again tomorrow he will get a consult from the Nephrologist.
The viral bladder infection continues, but the intestinal infection with colitis is much better and the doctor says he can start weaning the steroids again starting tomorrow.  When he is off the steroids his immune system should get better.
Our prayer requests for now are for all infections to resolve, his kidney function to improve and for the kidneys to heal and for Michael to remain strong!!
We appreciate your love and prayers.  Thank you!!

Out of the hospital and trying to stay that way

It was 6 days in the hospital and it felt longer, but Michael is home.  The intestinal infection was causing a lot of gut pain which made him very limited in what he could eat.  With a new med for that plus a bland diet which he is not too fond of, it has helped.  He may have had a kidney stone or it could have been the viral bladder infection causing irritation in his ureters.  The bladder infection is much worse, which usually is just mainly uncomfortable.  However, since his kidney function has started being elevated in the last week, he has to be watched closely for more pain or infection.
We did find out from the testing that Michael does have some Graft vs Host Disease in his gut in addition to the infection.  However, they say it is mild and hopefully he will not have to stay on the steroids too much longer.
The hospital stay was hard due to the fact that he had several issues and treating one would cause problems for the others.  We are still running into that at home.
Our prayer requests:  for the kidney function to normalize, for the GVHD to resolve, his infections to resolve and no more infections, and to stay in remission and to stay out of the hospital.
Thank you for your prayers!!

Back in the Hospital

It started with strong abdominal pain early Thursday morning, so to the ER.  The doctors are not totally sure, but it appears he had a kidney stone.  So they increased his already strong antibiotics to even stronger ones--one to protect his kidneys--he would be at increased risk for kidney infection having had a stone and the other a stronger antibiotic for his intestinal bug.  The doctors decided to admit to the hospital to monitor him while on the new meds.
Michael is feeling much better, and is eating better than he had been.  So we are hoping the switch with the new antibiotic for the intestinal bug is working well.   However, the viral bladder infection came back, but it so far has not been as severe.
Two big concerns.  That the antibiotics work well to control any infection and there are no complications to his kidney.  The creatinine blood test that shows kidney function is a little elevated.  This could be from the stone, his numerous meds (especially  the new one to prevent kidney infection) and some dehydration.
If he continues to improve, he could go home by Monday or Tuesday.  Next week, we will get test results back and find out if some of his gut issues are GVHD.
Our prayer requests:  for the antibiotics to resolve all infections, for his kidneys to be protected--and no more stones, for any GVHD to resolve and to stay in remission.
Thank you for all of your prayers!!

Still Bumpy, but Finding Answers

Michael is doing better, but still up and down with appetite.  We did find out that he does have a intestinal bug that has been complicating things.  It is possible that this is the entire cause of his trouble eating and drinking.  However, we should be finding out test results by next week if he has the gut form of Graft vs Host Disease (GVHD) in addition to the infection.  So he is on more antibiotics and he is a little better in just one day, so we will see.  We will be relieved to get over this bump so he can get more energy and start gaining back some weight.
Our prayer requests are for the infection to resolve quickly with the antibiotics, for any GVHD to resolve, and to remain in remission.
Thank you for your prayers for Michael.
As a note, Friday is World Cancer Day.  The prayer that many people will lift up that day is "Dear God, I pray for a cure for cancer.  Amen.

A Few Twists and Turns to Go

Yesterday, we saw the doctor and we had been hopeful up through Wednesday that the steroids would be stopped.  But, things changed Thursday.  His rash looks pretty good, but, Michael's appetite decreased a lot. The doctor thinks it could be the GI (gastrointestinal) GVHD, which would mean more steroids.  Michael thinks it could be the Taco Bell he ate.  So we are in a holding pattern with the steroids.  We are to see what happens over the weekend.  Today, Michael's appetite is better, a good sign, so we will have to just wait.
Michael and I agree it is like being on a huge roller coaster, and there are twists and turns ahead, but we're hoping that we've made it through the biggest of the dives and bends.
Our prayer requests for Michael are for the GVHD to resolve, no infections or complications, and to remain in remission.
Thanks for continuing this sometimes bumpy ride with us and thank you all for your prayers.

Moving Forward

Having the magnesium infusions at home for 3 days was so nice.   Much more relaxing than the hospital, just like today back at the hospital, we had 5 hours of delays.  But in spite delays, things are moving forward.  Michael's rash looks better and he has a much better appetite and he is feeling better.  We see the doctor on Friday and we hope to cut the steroids if the GVHD continues to resolve.
Our prayer requests continue to be for Michael's GVHD to resolve, to remain free of infections and complications and to remain in remission.
Thank you so much!!