Day Zero Plus Fifty-nine – GI Prep How-To

Keith learned how to administer Jeff’s IV fluids today.  It is liberating to have someone else who can do this.  I took advantage of Keith’s presence to run errands, including picking up an enema “Twin Pack” for Jeff’s prep for his endoscopy and colonoscopy scheduled for this afternoon. 

I might have been better prepared for the day if the letter with instructions hadn’t come from HUP’s Gastroenterology Department so late – by snail mail this morning!  I went to the post office on Friday to pay the $.20 postage due on it but it was still on the mail truck so I came home with no mail.  Of course, at the time I didn’t know who sent something postage-due.  Our mail carrier is on vacation so the mail has been coming unusually early in the day.  If it had been delivered by our regular mail carrier, the letter would not have arrived until after we were on our way to the city.   

One of the instructions said not to drink anything red or orange.  Too late!  Jeff had already had an orange Gatorade, thinking he was being helpful.  A phone call to the gastroenterologist’s office - and much discussion with nurses and the doctor – determined that the tests were scheduled late enough in the day so that the Gatorade would not cause any problems for the doctor.

Jeff remembered that our insurance company would not cover an endoscopy and colonoscopy if they were done on the same day so they were scheduled on consecutive days in October.  Somehow HUP managed to get around that problem – thank goodness!

Jeff had a cruddy day fasting for his tests, driving down to HUP after having had two enemas, the tests themselves, the return trip, and the after-effects of the tests.  It was an exhausting day for him.  I think he felt drugged afterwards, too, and couldn’t decide whether he could/should eat.  He managed toast and part of a banana. 

The gastroenterologist’s preliminary report shows Jeff’s GI tract looks pretty good.  His colon has red spots/erythema which were biopsied along with many other areas along the tract.  Dr. Porter may have results on Friday when we go to see him.  In the meantime, Jeff wonders whether he should continue the BRAT diet.  I suspect so - until his diarrhea stops.  Jeff thought that the changes Dr. Porter made in his drug regimen had had a positive effect over the weekend.  Of course, then his prep began so we don’t know whether his diarrhea would have continued to improve.  Drug allergy or side effect?  GVHD?  We still don’t know.

We heard from Jeff’s walking buddy from HUP today, Conshohocken Jeff.  He left a message on Jeff’s cell phone during the procedure.  Jeff will have to give him a call tomorrow.  His message said he was putzing around his yard.  We’re anxious to know whether his stem-cell harvest was successful.