Greetings,
Rick has continued a downward slide since late last week culminating with him being transferred into ICU on Tuesday. He has Pulmonary Edema (fluid) in his lungs, his carbon dioxide levels have been high, and he was having difficulty breathing. According to the Doctor and Nurses he was very difficult to arouse, almost non-responsive. He has been very confused and has slid from conscious hallucinations (i.e. he could vividly describe what he was seeing, but knew that when he opened his eyes it would not be real) into greater states of confusion and adamant that he is not hallucinating. He continues to come in (more often than not) and out of sleep and has not been out of bed since last Saturday.
At this time he is receiving very high levels oxygen to help balance out his O2 and CO2 levels, and is receiving IV nutrients. In all reality, we do not know when we will be released back to his floor, we would guess he would remain in ICU for another couple of days, but we really don’t know. Mom says that he is hooked up and monitored from here to hell, I will see this first hand when I see him tomorrow.
The GOOD news is that we have started to see engraftment (the transplant is taking hold) and the cells are growing well. There was actually a concern that the white cells were growing at too rapid of a rate so they cut off injections which were stimulating growth.
Much Love,
Becky, Emily, & Tori
3 comments:
Beck, Tori and Emily,
I am sorry to hear Rick is in ICU. However, given the medications he has been taking, I am not surprised. I hope this is the storm before the calm. I am very encouraged that the cels are engrafting. That is the best news yet. I realize this is a dangerous time, but feel that this is the right direction and good things will follow. good thoughts coming your way.
Ron
Hang in there, guys! (that 'guys' describes Rick, Mom, the girls, and the cells all at the same time). My thoughts and prayers are with you. When Rick is next awake, promise him I'll make him a proper English Roast a la the Victoria Pub in York. At least he can hallucinate about something tasty then...
Lots of love,
Rachael
Rick, Becky & the girls:
So encouraged to hear that the cells are growing, but sorry to hear the price in pain and discomfort. Be strong, Rick!
Love, Tony
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