Hot Rod

Everyone knows that the time a car is mostly likely to break down is just after someone has serviced it. You tighten the fan belt and the water pump goes the next week. You replace the water pump and the radiator springs a leak.

Medicine is like that. When a big problem occurs, you disturb lots of other parts while fixing it. Fix cancer, but you must damage the immune system. Treat immune system, get lung problem. Fix lung problem, etc. etc. But as we enter National Cancer Survivors Week, we know that medicine increasingly can fix all the problems and life gets good again.

Drew has breathing problems, fever problems, blood in his stomach, swelling, and he is unconscious. The last 24 hours have been for analysis. We did nine things to look for causes and problems, which included:
- an EEG to look at his brain (all ok, despite what his teachers sometimes said)
- a lumbar puncture to look for infection or viruses in his spinal fluid (awaiting results)
- a CT scan to look for clots (all clear)
- a chest x-ray for his lungs (much better)
- blood cultures (awaiting results)
- a gastrointestinal exam (no scope yet)
- a neurological exam (ok)
- a review by transplant infectious disease specialists (some med changes)
- stopping several meds which may contribute to sedation (will see if it matters)

The results will take days. Meanwhile, his breathing is much improved on the ventilator and his fever continues. He occasionally opens his eyes and moves his head, which is exciting after watching him do nothing for a week. He responded a bit to Jordan, Mary, Ben, Melissa, and Mary (Dan's mom) who all visited today.

The theories from the doctors differ, but the bets on the cause include a virus, one of a number of rare infections, graft vs. host, or a reaction to the drugs that he has gotten. One problem may have caused all the others. The problems may resolve quickly or slowly. So far, they probably haven’t affected the ultimate goal (freedom for Drew). But we need to solve them soon.

This hot rod has been in the shop for 38 days at Duke, 63 days in Charlotte, and countless visits to the clinics. He has had lots of mechanics under his hood. He can expect a few leaks and tune-ups to get back in racing form. But right now, we have lots of parts on the garage floor.

Day 28 post-transplant was a busy one.