Possible Changes on the Horizon

Hello dear friends and family.  As always, it has been a turbulent week in the ICU, but we have seen many positive signs this week, and we are praying that we have a window within which we can find a more permanent situation for Mike.

Michael's fevers seem to have subsided, meaning he is regaining some of his energy as well.  His liver function has improved, though we can't tell whether the kidneys are responding as well and he remains on daily dialysis.  After last week's GI bleed, we don't see any signs of a return of the bleed and his tube feedings are going well.

For a few days, Michael has been experiencing a pain in his right chest that is worse with coughing and movement.  Doctors performed a CAT scan to determine if there was a blatant cause for the pain (old tissue from lymphoma, or a recurrence of lymphoma), and we are blessed to report that the CAT scan came back clean.  Our current theory is that his intercostal muscles (between the ribs) are inflamed after coughing and relearning to breathe.  The pain continues, but we are working on strategies to manage it.

After consulting with the medical staff, we believe Michael is currently in a window which may allow us to relocate him to a long term acute care facility (LTAC), which would provide many of the immediate services of an ICU, but allow for a greater degree of comfort and privacy, as well as focusing on the extensive rehabilitation and development Mike needs.  Our current care priorities are weaning him from the ventilator, developing an intensive physical therapy strategy, and keeping complications at bay.

We are working diligently now with medical staff, family, friends, and the insurance company to facilitate a transfer.  This could happen very quickly, or it could be delayed.  As we have not yet determined whether the LTAC would be in Houston, or if there is a possibility of returning to KC, we have not told Michael the details of the possible move.

Dear friends we ask your prayers that we can return home soon, that all involved parties can make this decision with wisdom, that Michael's condition remains stable and continues to progress, that we can avoid graft v. host, and that we can find a way to manage his pain.

Your friendship and love is a constant blessing for us.