T Plus 51

Today we made our routine trip to the clinic for an 'in and out' visit. By 'in and out' I mean at least two to three hours. It's nearly impossible to get out of there in any less time. Today was to include routine labs and a visit with the Physician Assistant (PA). Instead, we once again spent the entire day. Jan's BUN and Creatinine levels remain high, together with a high pulse rate, which are the diagnostic indicators for dehydration. So she was once again led to a private room and connected to an I.V. for hydration. Since she continues to suffer with the incontinence, the staff was considerate enough to put her in a room with private toilet facilities. The medication which they gave her to counteract the incontinence and bladder spasms have not worked. They continue to contribute these urinary tract problems to the BK Virus which she has developed. This virus probably lay dormant in her system for many years. With a healthy immune system, many viruses never develop into problems. However, Jan has no immune system right now, so the virus decided to awaken. The urinary problems will probably not diminish until the doctors can rid her system of the virus. There are only a couple of fairly new medications which are used in these cases. The drug they would like to use is Cidofavir. The problem is that this drug, as with many anti-viral meds, is very hard on the kidneys. As a result, they will not begin the treatment until her Creatinine levels are normal. This will be their indication that the kidneys are operating sufficiently well to endure the Cidofavir. In order to lower her Creatinine levels she must be hydrated, so we have scheduled visits for the next four days to the clinic for I.V. fluids. Once the Creatinine levels are to lowered to within normal limits, they will begin the anti-viral treatment. This will be the only sure remedy to Jan's urinary issues. In the meantime, her appetite is not great, but is sufficient to maintain her current weight. The strength in her legs continues to be very weak, and she still requires the assistance of a walker, or the strong hand of a family member. The anti-viral treatment will consist of four I.V. sessions, spaced one week apart, to administer the Cidofavir. During those four weeks it will still be important that Jan is properly hydrated, so there will probably be continued visits needed for I.V. fluids. Dealing with this illness is very much like Newton’s Third Law of Motion, which states that “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction". It just seems that every time we make forward progress, Jan gets blindsided with something that sets her back again. Surely there is a law of physics out there that says "enough already". We still believe that better days lie ahead.