Not much of an update on Diane. The doctors are continuing massive does of antiobotics to try and kill the infection, and are using a topical antibiotic cream as well. We had a little bit of encouraging news today, in that the surgeon who is removing dead skin did not have to remove as much as he’d feared, but we’re still in a wait-and-see type situation.
Please continue to pray with us that 1) Diane will not be facing the loss of her foot; 2) The bacterial infection will end; 3) Her platelet counts will rise; 4) Her graft will continue to allow dialysis.
Went to Tuscaloosa this afternoon. Doctors are monitoring Diane’s foot and using more antibiotics to stem the infection. It will be at least 24-48 hours before they decide what to do next.
Please continue to pray that she doesn’t have to face amputation, and that tomorrow’s dialysis goes smoothly. I’ll update again soon.
Got off the phone with Amanda, and the news is not good.
Diane’s platelet count dropped to 10,000 yesterday. The bacterial infection that she’s been battling manifested itself in several blisters, which popped and are now pretty much open wounds. The contents of the blister were cultured, and it appears that the bacteria is actually attacking her tendons and bones. The doctors believe that they might have to amputate her foot.
This is obviously very bad news. Amanda asks that you pray, specifically, that the bacteria will respond to antibiotics, and that they not have to amputate.
Diane was able to have dialysis yesterday. They injected a medication into her graft that loosened / dissolved the blood clot. We’re praying that the graft will stay open.
Yesterday, her platelet count was up. Today, however, her platelet count has dropped to a level lower than what she entered the hospital with. The doctors want to wait and see if he antibiotic she’s on for her blood infection will help raise the platelet counts. They’ve also called in an infectious disease specialist to investigate some blisters that are forming on her feet.
Long way to go. Please remember Diane and Amanda in your prayers.
In case you haven’t heard, The Naked Cowboy is running for Mayor of New York City:
You know, Mr. Burck, I’m pulling for you. I really am. But let’s face it… You’re a long shot. But let me make an offer to you: If you move to Birmingham, Alabama, I will help you campaign for Mayor. I mean, can we really do any worse that who we have now?
Just got off the phone with Amanda. Diane has taken a turn for the worse.
Up until yesterday, when the doctors removed her permacath, she had experienced no problems with her new graft. This morning, however, the Doctors were not able to find a pulse in it. 1 nurse said she did find one, but it was considerably weaker than before. This is obviously very serious, because it is the one and only place, now, that she can receive dialysis through.
To complicate matters, the reason Diane is in the hospital is a low platelet count. She received platelets yesterday, but her numbers did not improve. Typically, the doctors would administer heparin to try and reduce any blood clots in the grafts. However, clotting is controlled by platelets. If there were any issues, Diane may not have enough platelets for her blood to clot properly. The Doctors have told Amanda and her brother that they are not sure what they can do, medically, to resolve the current problem.
An update… Diane was admitted back to the hospital yesterday. She had a very low platelet count, and has a blood infection. The doctors will be giving her antibiotics to try and cure the infection, but also removing her permacath. The good news is that they have been using her new graft for a week now, and it all has been going well. Please pray that the new graft will continue to work well, and that the medication will work against the blood infection.
In the following video, onboard cameras capture the amazing journey of Atlantis into space, and the dramatic return of the solid rocket boosters. For those who wish to skip to the most interesting part, fast-forward to 2:25.
Thanks, to all of you, for your emails, comments, calls, and prayers for Mom. She came through her surgery okay, but had a complication with some over-sedation. The Doctors and Nurses were unable to wake her, and she had to go into ICU for a little bit. But she got out yesterday morning, and has had a good (albeit, uncomfortable) 2 days. If all continues to go well, she’ll go home tomorrow.
