T Plus 50

Well Jan’s hospital stay was fairly short, only two days. During that time they ran a whole series of diagnostic tests, including blood cultures, an MRI of her head, and a lumbar puncture to analyze her spinal fluid. Once again, all the tests were negative, and her symptoms were attributed to the intense chemotherapy, combined with the laundry list of medications that she is currently on. Here’s a short list of her medications: acyclovir, beclomethasone, budesonide, insulin, lorazepam, magnesium, mirtazimpine, pantoprazole, paroxetine, prednisone, sulfamethoxazole, tacrolimus, ursodile, voriconizole, oxybutynin, oxycodone………………well, you get the idea. All of these drugs have possible side effects, and how they all interact…….who knows. She was taking even more medication, but upon discharge it was decided to eliminate a few, and reduce others. After her discharge on April 15th she remained very weak and eventually needed assistance to get up from a seated position. One of the side effects of steroids is a weakening of the large muscles, like your thighs, which are needed to help you get up from a seated position. Ten days ago she also developed some incontinence, which has been very upsetting. A urine culture revealed that she does have a viral infection called BK Virus. The doctor has decided to treat the symptoms (which so far have not worked) and to wait on treating the virus until later this week or early next week. The reason is still not clear to us, but he indicated that starting therapy for the virus too soon could risk kidney problems. So, the long, long, bumpy road continues. We know there is a day in the future when things will look brighter. We know that each day will pass, and bring us closer to that unknown bright future day.