Update on Ray
3-9-2016
Hey
all I know it has been awhile since an update and things with Rays liver have
been wacky to say the least. Since last summer 3 of his main liver numbers have
been creeping up, not knowing why. In November they made a spike, which sent us
to Duke for a liver biospy and ultrasound. In January again another spike-
another biopsy and an MRI.
Between the November and January biopsy there were NO CHANGES, in fact the report read "his liver looks great, very healthy, not fatty, does not look like a liver of a man who had two transplants and previously Hep C, no scarring of the liver looks GREAT". So they didn't really know why his numbers had been spiking and decided just to continue to monitor Ray, see him for his May scheduled visit and do blood work ever month to monitor numbers.
Between the November and January biopsy there were NO CHANGES, in fact the report read "his liver looks great, very healthy, not fatty, does not look like a liver of a man who had two transplants and previously Hep C, no scarring of the liver looks GREAT". So they didn't really know why his numbers had been spiking and decided just to continue to monitor Ray, see him for his May scheduled visit and do blood work ever month to monitor numbers.
In
February Ray had bronchitis which sent him to the doctor twice. On the 2nd trip
they prescribed him prednisone for 5 days which dramatically LOWERED the
numbers that had been elevated- so then Duke felt like maybe they were dealing
with a mild rejection. They then prescribed prednisone for several more days to
help with the issue.
Last Friday 3-4-16 (after more blood work earlier in the week!) the liver numbers went back up, which then lead them to believe it was NOT a rejection but possibly and infection or blockage and he was to stop the prednisone immediately.
Yesterday
we spoke to Duke again and Ray will go next Friday (we are thinking) to have a
procedure to inject dye right into his liver to watch it travel to see if there
is indeed a blockage that has NOT been seen already by an MRI or liver
ultrasound. They will do the procedure in radiology and he will be consciously
sedated (like with an endoscopy or colonoscopy...he has no sedation with a
liver biopsy so he is excited he wont really know WHAT is going on with this
procedure!)
This
is the first time he has ever had this done.
If
anything is found during the procedure then they will "balloon" the
area open and stint it. He will have a "bile/billi" bag for a few
weeks they felt like if that occurs (which I could tell didn't thrill Ray when
he heard that yesterday!)
He
has had several issues over the past couple of months related to liver-
tired/fatigued, itching, numbers of course going up on labs, irritable. I know
he is frustrated the the doctors cannot tell him what is going on or how to fix
it, I am as well. It isn't easy for him as the "sick person" of for
me as the one who has to "listen and take care" of him.
At
this point we just ask for clarity and healing. Clarity that the Lord can
reveal whatever the issue is and has been to the doctors, that he can help
guide them with wisdom and knowledge to repair whatever is going on with this
precious liver. Wisdom for his new doctor at Duke, Dr. King to figure this out
and that if she cannot that God helps her to lead us where we need to be to get
Ray back healthy. and peace for Ray as he deals with all of this. Peace and
understanding.
I
will continue to update you all as we know more in the coming weeks.
Please
keep us in your prayers. Thank you faithful friends and prayer warriors!!!
OH
on a positive note! I have FINISHED the first rough draft of my book and found
and editor to work with in Ohio. In the coming weeks I will send her the first
draft of the book to look over and begin editing! That is EXCITING!
Ray
and Janet
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