Day + 9 A Long Day

It's late and it's been quite a day so this will be short. Last night I didn't have a very good sleep. The docs scheduled me for a CT of the abdomen yesterday, so I had to quit drinking anything (which was just clear fluids anyway) until the CT department called and then I had to drink prep fluid (lots) for 2 hours prior to the scan. Unfortunately, it was only this morning that I got in to CT due to volume. Anyway, when I woke up after coming back from CT, the doctor had results and it confirmed not only that I have typhilitis but that it is extensive (not just at the meeting point of the small and large intestines) and it is severe. They will be consulting with infectious disease doctors and watching it for a few days before considering consulting the surgeons as well. I am already on 2 antibiotics to help control the typhilitis, but really to possibly heal I need my immune system to do that. The very good news is that since I reported last, mostly over last night, my neutrophils went to 2.2 from 0.2, which is an amazing thing. I need them to continue climbing to help prevent the thyphilitis from advancing. I know that jump was helped by the Red and White love I have been receiving over the past days. Please keep it up...but don't feel you have to buy a new wardrobe of red and white!

Day + 7 Perspective

Interesting how perspective changes so quickly. I was kind of happy that my activity in the bathroom slowed slightly overnight - 1.5 hours between visits rather than 45 minutes. However, the tenderness in my abdomen had increased to pain, and when my doctor examined me, we realized the pain was worse on one side. He indicated that it may be signs of early typhilitis, an inflammation of the intestines where the large intestine meets the small intestine. It is a bad thing to have with low neutriphils - mine were 0.1 today and the normal range is 2.5-7.5. I was sent for more Xrays and the docs increased my antibiotics, as well limiting me to clear fluids only (I was only on full fluids for a day or so since last week anyway).

Suddenly the idea of constant diarrhea for another week seemed pretty wonderful, if I could skip the typhilitis. It was a rough day mentally, and my hope now is that the neutriphils start kicking upward as soon as possible. I at least managed enough strength to shower this evening, so that was positive. Another half hour and I'll konk out and hopefully get some more rest! Again, thanks for the wishes...if you wish/pray/meditate in colour, think red and white...those are the colours of the small and large intestine in my Qi Gong work...:)