April 6, 2016
Hey all, we went to
Duke Monday 4-4-16 for a follow up appointment. Blood counts were good- so no
infection, which is great news since a fever sent Ray to Duke over a week ago.
He finished antibiotic yesterday in fact from discharge.
Duke would like to schedule his next procedure for May 9th-
he already had an appointment scheduled with Dr. King that day so they are
going to try to work with the IR/Radiology team and get an appointment that day
to check the billiary duct (blockage) again- possibly replace or take out the
tube- depending on what they see that day.
We waited for labs to
come back on Monday after our appointment, for about 30-45 min...we decided to
stay and wait to check on things before leaving...good thing we did. We then
met back with the doctor and coordinator. All of Rays liver numbers were
elevated again. Our instructions were to uncap the tube and place the bag back
on to drain. Duke wants to leave the bag hooked up for 2 weeks and monitor his
lab numbers from here. He is scheduled for labs at least twice a week here to
monitor his liver numbers. They are keeping a close eye on his electrolytes and
sodium bi-carb numbers since his body isn't getting all the fluid it normally
would have since it is draining the bile into the bag. It definitely wasn't the
news we were hoping for or expecting Monday. It was a hard pill to swallow to
be honest. They have already ballooned the area twice now and a third time
could be a possibility, but that is it. After that it could be some sort of
surgery to correct the area/stint it. Surgery obviously for Ray would be very
dangerous and a last resort. From the previous transplant we know that his body
makes a LOT of scar tissue and what could be a minor surgery for some is major
for his body due to the scar tissue.
Dukes hope in
connecting the bag for the next 2 weeks is to give that area some time to heal
and possible swelling to go down in that duct if there is any, since it endured
a lot of trauma in a short span of time. The next 2 weeks will tell us a lot.
He will have his
first set of labs tomorrow since having the bag back connected, hopefully his
liver numbers will be BACK down and his electrolytes and sodium bi-carb will be
ok as well.
We ask for continued prayers for Ray. Specifically for
healing of that duct area- either complete healing or that God puts us on the
right path to healing it after one more procedure. I pray that at all cost God
heals this area and that surgery is avoided. We appreciate and value your
continued support and prayers over the coming weeks. This is a process that is
for sure! Thanks for the calls, emails and texts- the support means a lot.
Ray and Janet
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