Linda's Lymphoma update 5-28-11

Linda continues to make slow improvement, even as new complications crop up.

She was transferred to ICU on Friday so the doctors could give her Dopamine to improve her BP and renal function. She is still getting loads of IV fluids and the Dopamine keeps her BP about 110 systolic.

Another problem has been her profound loss of appetite and weight loss. It was even painful for her to swallow liquids. She likely had a fungal infection in her esophagus from the low immune system, so she is taking antibiotics for that and as of today, she still finds it difficult to swallow. They inserted another central IV line today, so she could start getting IV feedings to regain her strength.

Her main problems and status of them are as follows.....

1. Low BP and dehydration - under control with fluids and Dopamine

2. poor kidney function - much improved with the fluids and Dopamine

3. low WBC - still only 100 today, but the Neupogen should kick in soon and cure this. But until it gets to normal, she is at high risk for any and all infections

4. wt. loss and loss of appetite - being treated as above for fungus infection and IV feedings to begin Sunday

Thanks for all your prayers and thanks to our minister, Mark Cooper, who visited Friday afternoon and gave us communion in the ICU.

Several people have notified me that they cannot leave comments, so I changed the default settings and it should be easier to do now. Thanks for lettting me know.