Setback

I’ve been struggling with fever and GI issues over the past week with frequent clinic visits for various testing (all negative!), but it got so bad to the point of having to go to the ER yesterday. I’ve been receiving a full infection work-up, started 2 iv antibiotics, and got a CT scan of my chest/belly which revealed significant inflammation in my colon. They consulted the gastroenterology team and are working closely with my oncology team. Thankful for the good care I'm receiving.

The plan is to get a biopsy done through a colonoscopy. This will be only way to confirm what’s going on in there esp. since all other tests have come back negative. They are suspecting either a bacterial infection or GVHD since I’ve recently stopped my immunosuppressive meds (tacro). If it’s a bacterial infection, we’ll know better how to focus treatment with antibiotics. If GVHD, then we would restart steroids and tacro. Appreciate your continued prayers. 

Also, please please pray for Ryan and his family. Ryan’s been down the street at a nearby hospital ICU recovering after another surgery to cut out about half of one of his thigh muscles. He has a serious and life-threatening condition which destroys your soft tissue. Thankfully, they were able to act quickly and have salvaged most of his thigh muscles but this infection could be rampant. He will most likely need multiple surgeries for cleaning and checking for additional dead muscle. Their main 3 immediate goals are to get the infection under control, save his leg, and save his life. And they are hoping to get him off his breathing tube soon. With covid, there’s no visitors allowed. It breaks my heart that Ryan can't have any family with him through all of this esp. as he's still so young.