Those darn platelets...
We are still struggling to keep the platelets up - today's number was 47,000 - well below the 60,000 target. Once again we will rely on a transfusion to get up to the level which our surgeon feels is "safe".
While the platelet news was a bit depressing, Keith had much more encouraging news on the WBC front. He is now above 5 - which means he is well into the normal range. This is important for so many reasons. Not only is his body now able to join the fight to eradicate the pneumonia, but it is also no longer vulnerable to every freewheeling germ floating about.
Keith is still very weak and he continues to need oxygen. Today's agenda is to eat more (breakfast was a great start), drink more and move more. PT is coming in this morning to get him walking a bit. We are also trying to experiment with more sitting up - even if it is in bed. His lungs need a bit of a workout to help them to heal from the pneumonia. That means taking deep breaths and changing positions so that all parts of the lungs get a "workout".
He continues to be on a cocktail of IV antibiotics. If we get his platelets stable, we think we may be able to go home toward the end of the week. That may mean that he will get a pic line and continue with IV treatment at home - or once a day at the hospital. Either way, the good news is that we are beginning to talk about heading home!
While the platelet news was a bit depressing, Keith had much more encouraging news on the WBC front. He is now above 5 - which means he is well into the normal range. This is important for so many reasons. Not only is his body now able to join the fight to eradicate the pneumonia, but it is also no longer vulnerable to every freewheeling germ floating about.
Keith is still very weak and he continues to need oxygen. Today's agenda is to eat more (breakfast was a great start), drink more and move more. PT is coming in this morning to get him walking a bit. We are also trying to experiment with more sitting up - even if it is in bed. His lungs need a bit of a workout to help them to heal from the pneumonia. That means taking deep breaths and changing positions so that all parts of the lungs get a "workout".
He continues to be on a cocktail of IV antibiotics. If we get his platelets stable, we think we may be able to go home toward the end of the week. That may mean that he will get a pic line and continue with IV treatment at home - or once a day at the hospital. Either way, the good news is that we are beginning to talk about heading home!
posted by Keith and Kathy | 10:20 AM
2 Comments:
"Either way, the good news is that we are beginning to talk about heading home!"
Hurrah! Keep it up!
Oh I hope you're all home very soon! Glad to hear of this improvement, Kathleen.
Love
Kerry, Kiffen, Flannery, Lucy, and Norah!!
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