So here is the post I promised. I put the kids down (for a nap, not forever), changed Derek's Hickman line dressing, and hooked him up to some hydration.
Yes, you read that right. He is back on hydration (did I already tell you that?). He also had to go get 2 units of blood yesterday. His hematocrit was pretty low (23%). All is well though, so no worries.
I think I told you that his kidney numbers were up (I think that was the reason for more hydration). The numbers are still elevated, but they are running some new tests and keeping him on fluids to make sure everything functions properly.
One reason for his hematocrit dropping so rapidly is that before transplant Derek's blood type was A+. Brian's blood type is O+. Thus making Derek O+ after transplant. Well, Brian's cells are alive and well in Derek's body and they are now recognizing Derek's A+ cells as foreign. They are playing a game of Space Invaders inside Derek's body and killing off the A+ blood cells. This causes his hematocrit level to drop.
Some good news! His spleen is getting smaller!
The doctors aren't worried about all of the new developments, but because small things can turn into big things, they need to check out and maintain every tiny detail of Derek's body.
The kids are doing well, the weather has been nice here. We take them to a park that is by our apartment. They enjoy that.
I'm still trying to find my groove. It's coming along, but at times it's hard to shift into the different roles I need to fill. Going from mother to caregiver to wife can be a struggle sometimes, but God is definitley there helping me along. He gave me this yesterday:
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
~Isaiah 41:10
Awesome, huh? The verse speaks for itself. It was a great comfort to my heart yesterday morning when I read that. I'm not doing it by myself, I have the Creator of the universe telling me not to fear and that He will uphold me with His right hand. I love it.
Thanks for the prayers and support. We miss you all. Hope you are all doing well.
God bless!
hi Erica! I needed to comment because I am SO excited for you 2 that your kids got to move with you! That must have been so hard for all of you to be apart. I had been checking your blog often, but hadn't in a few weeks and was so glad when I read they are there! Please tell Derek I think of him often and hope he recovers quickly. Thank you so much for keeping up the blog, it must be hard with the stress you're under, but it is nice for those of us who don't want to bother or add stress by hounding you, but really care and want to know the progress. I hope you all get home soon and hope you can enjoy the summer in Seattle. If you ever need anything from this way, please let me know. Take care, Love, Staci Bercier
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