Hello to all and thanks for all your prayers.
I spent a couple of hours with Lief and his doctors this morning. His WBC and T were elevated and they felt he had an infection, most likely urinary. He is being started on Vancomycin as well as the Amlopodine he has been on to control his atrial fibrilation. It seems when he is on his R side he does not need it, but when he is moved to the Left he goes back into AF.. He needs to be moved because he is developing large pressure ulcers over his sacrum and posterior chest. His platelets have increased to 50,000, his Na is down to 162 (hardly normal but a change in the right direction). The rest of his electrolytes are normal but his liver function tests are quite elevated. He is developing bruising on hands and arms.
Today they will change the urinary catheter, something done by the attending physician here, and put in a groin IV. Later in the week he will have a tracheostomy with a permanent ( for now) trach tube. They are waiting for the platelets to increase.
His main doctor - Dr. Bull - was away at a critical care conference all last week and talked to me extensively this morning. While I was sitting with Leif his BP dropped to 0 for 10 seconds, and then, with medicine to 30/0 for another 30 seconds. Then, with a bolus of NE came back up to normal. Moon signed an order with our consent and encouragement for no cardiac resusitation. There has been no indication of brain function returning.
There is a phone that whoever is here will carry so that the doctor can call the American family as well as Moon. I think the number is 0118613717547314 from the States. I think we can get texts and I will learn how to send texts later today.
Although I have not heard from Lance, Kip, one of Lief's friends got an email from him saying he would return after his exams. Kip has closed her shop and is spending the day with Moon and me today. It is wonderful to have her support.
Leif's friend Rebecca, visited yesterday along with her daughter Tina, who was a student of Leif's and is a freshman at Cornell now.
I wish there were better news, but it is as it is. It is in the 90's here and really hot. Our Chinese family continues to care for us in grand style and is feeding us 3 large meals a day,too keep our strength up. Xie xie ( thank you ) to them for all their care and support.
Love to all,
Renee (Mom)