SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11.2010

I wanted to write a note and tell everyone where we are in the roller coaster ride. First of all, we had the scopes done yesterday afternoon after a 4 hour dialysis procedure that morning. Things are looking up somewhat, and with God grace, we may get to come home next week sometime. I am physically and mentally exhausted and really thought I was hold up pretty good until today and have had a hard time trying to concentrate on anything I try to do.

We had a colonoscopy and and upper GI yesterday after receiving a bag of platelets. Our platelet count was 40 day before yesterday and 27 yesterday. After they transfused the platelets they immediately took him into the unit to do the scopes. He was really scared since he had been passing blood for the past 2 1/2 weeks. The doctors (3) who did the scopes are supper nice guys and really make Michael feel at ease. After they completed the scopes the head surgeon came out and told me that he had found the cause of the bleeding and it was very rare. I told him that didn't surprise me that my son was pretty rare as well. They found that he has Mallory Weiss Tear which is a tear in his esophagus from vomiting so much and so hard.

He was also diagnosed with Ischemic colitiS. I have added what these two conditions entail as it is very difficult to make sense in my own words what they are. Long story short...they anticipate that time will correct both problems.

Ischemic colitis is a medical condition in which inflammation and injury of the large intestine result from inadequate blood supply. Although uncommon in the general population, ischemic colitis occurs with greater frequency in the elderly, and is the most common form of bowel ischemia.[1][2][3] Causes of the reduced blood flow can include changes in the systemic circulation (e.g. low blood pressure) or local factors such as constriction of blood vessels or a blood clot. In most cases, no specific cause can be identified.[4]Ischemic colitis is usually suspected on the basis of the clinical setting, physical examination, and laboratory test results; the diagnosis can be confirmed via endoscopy or by using sigmoid or endoscopic placement of a visible light spectroscopic catheter (see Diagnosis). Ischemic colitis can span a wide spectrum of severity; most patients are treated supportively and recover fully, while a minority with very severe ischemia may develop sepsis and become critically ill.[5]

Patients with mild to moderate ischemic colitis are usually treated with IV fluids, analgesia, and bowel rest (that is, no food or water by mouth) until the symptoms resolve. Those with severe ischemia who develop complications such as sepsis, intestinal gangrene, or bowel perforation may require more aggressive interventions such as surgery and intensive care. Most patients make a full recovery; occasionally, after severe ischemia, patients may develop long-term complications such as a stricture[6] or chronic colitis.[7]

We are still struggling with roller coaster blood counts. He is suffering quite a bit today from the neupogen shots he has been receiving daily for his low white blood count which is very important regarding his immune system. Once his white blood count starts going up, it will help with the red blood count and the amount of platelets. I did not realize how important one count was to the other counts, but when one is out of whack, everything is out of whack. His bones feel like he has the flu so they are injecting pain medication to keep him from suffering so much.

His kidneys are improving daily and hopefully we can have the catheter removed for the dialysis before we come home. His feet are swelled so bad the look as if they are going to burst. It is very hard for him to stand on them.

All the doctors have asked me if I really knew how sick my son was when he was airlifted to Houston and I told them I did. They cannot believe he is the same person they saw the first day he was here. God is good and we give him all the glory and honor for the turn around that Michael has made.

Keep on praying......

Terri