ISMRD
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November 29, 1999
From: "Smith, Dianne" <Dianne.Smith@mpls.frb.org>
November was a trying month! By the 24th, we'd been in the hospital 19 days in November. Each day brought more tests and then lots of waiting for results and praying.
When Jenny's liver started having trouble metabolizing the meds, she felt nauseous. Soon she couldn't tolerate eating or drinking anything (not even her meds). After 6 days of that, she was so dehydrated and weak that she ran a fever. That's when she got admitted back to the hospital. The standard protocol of administering antibiotics for bacterial, fungal and viral infections was followed again, adding to her liver's workload. All of the tests came back negative, except the CMV test. Jenny was CMV+ again. This time they put Jenny on Foscarnet to treat it. Within 10 days, she was CMV negative again. This med did a much better job of taking out the CMV than the gancycloir that she had been on in the past. It wasn't long after the nausea was gone that she began eating small amounts and her liver recovered. Finally, with some adjustments to the meds, Jenny started to rebound. Thankfully, on Wednesday, Nov. 24 she was discharged. Jenny made it home for Thanksgiving. What a happy, joyful Thanksgiving it was!
We're at Day #165, so some of the more invasive meds' doses are being reduced. Jenny is more active and alert. Her WBC, Hbg and platelets are holding better. We still give her 4 I.V. meds and 8-12 pills a day. All in all, the treatment process has become more manageable for Steve and I. Some days we can even see the light at the end of the tunnel. We truly cherish each day and its blessings. Finally, we see a better future for Jenny and this makes it all worthwhile.
We think of all of you so often, with the holidays approaching its easy to get homesick -- so keep in touch. And keep us in your prayers.
Love from all of the Smiths,
Steve, Dianne, Jenny and Jason
