Day Zero Plus Forty-six – Radioactive Eggs!

Bright and early this morning we went to HUP to see Dr. Porter.  The counts that indicate how well Jeff’s kidneys are functioning are still abnormal.  I guess he’ll have to continue his IV fluids awhile longer.  Dr. Porter was especially interested in hearing Jeff describe his gut trouble.  He is concerned that Jeff’s stomach might not be emptying as it should; this sometimes happens in BMT patients.  He says there is medication he could prescribe but he would rather know for sure before adding yet another medication to Jeff’s regimen.  He ordered a NM (nuclear medicine) Gastric Emptying Study which will require Jeff to fast overnight, then eat radioactive eggs and have a radiologist watch what happens.  Dr. Porter warned Jeff that these eggs are pretty nasty.  I made this appointment for Friday morning.  He is dreading it already.

Dr. Porter also adjusted Jeff’s Tacrolimus and instructed us to hold it altogether tonight and tomorrow morning.  That means two fewer pills tonight and in the morning!  Yippee! 

Pop was released from Manor Care on Sunday so we decided to stop at my parents’ house on the way home from HUP.  The house was filled with activity.  Pastor Esther had just left.  Judy and Becky were filling both Mother’s and Pop’s pill boxes for the week, a task that requires an inordinate amount of concentration.  Linda was caring for Pop.  Mother sat in the living room and visited with Jeff and me.  It was good to see Pop at home and check out the track lifting system Harry installed for him.

The next family wedding will be Melissa’s and Josh’s in October.  The young couples’ interest in the 1930s has inspired Nancy to consider having a Learn-to-Swing-Dance party.  When Jeff heard this, it gave him a new topic for a YouTube search, his favorite activity these days.  He has learned how to fell a tree, throw pottery, turn wood, make baseball bats, blow glass (his niece, Elizabeth, is a glassblower) and, now, swing dance!  When he is well enough to try these things, he is going to be busy!  He has watched hawks, domino races, Rube Goldberg-inspired machines and garden train layouts.  Forward any other topic suggestions to: jrlworkshop@gmail.com

Believe it or not, we went for our walk in the heat of the day, late afternoon.  Jeff hasn’t walked more than three blocks at a time yet he set for his goal my co-worker Barb’s house six blocks away.  Keith drove by us as we walked; I knew I could call him to pick us up if Jeff petered out.  Jeff pushed to finish without a rescue and collapsed on the sofa when we returned to the house.  His legs and feet hurt.  He is retaining some water from the IV fluids and he thinks that is why he has pain when he walks.  The air conditioning felt so good.  Giblet was glad for it, too, I think. 

Theresa took a moment from her honeymoon to send us a link to her friend’s photo gallery.  He took some outstanding pictures at the church, including beautiful shots of the bridal party!   https://sengphoto.wordpress.com/