Hello My Dear Family and Friends,
Well today is Friday and the 10th day here in the hospital in Charleston, but even though it is raining they threw me out today. Claire, Abigail and myself have arrived at the motel and preparing to have a good evening and then travel home tomorrow.
Why have I been in the hospital? To discover the cause for the plural effusion, now 10 days later they explained to us this morning they still have no answers. The test that was sent to Salt Lake City returned today and it was negative, therefore ruling out the liver and other stomach areas, but leaving nothing but questions.
We have to return to Charleston on Tuesday to see the surgeons to talk about more lung area surgery, we will see.
Kind of tired now, so I will go. Thanks for the prayers, visits, and calls.
We Love You All,
God Bless You,
Pel
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August 28, 2007
August 28, 2007
Hello everyone,
We are on our 7th day at MUSC and we still do not have any answers. The test that was sent to Salt Lake City has still not come back. The Dr. told us today right now the only explanation he has for the recurrent pleural effusions is cancer, but there is no evidence of cancer in Pelhams case. Once the results are all back, they will make a decision whether or not to do the second pleurodesis. Pelham was able to walk a little ways down the hall today without labored breathing so that's an accomplishment. Everyday we hope that will be the day for good news. Pelhams father and stepmother was here yesterday and today and Pel was so glad to see them. If anyone has been trying to call him, we discovered today that the ringer on his phone was turned off. So we turned it on and he is in room 1059 at MUSC. He said he would be glad to talk, but if he did not answer, he was either gone for another test or too short of breath to talk. He wants everyone to know how much he appreciates the prayers and concerns. We know several people has come to Charleston to visit and was told he was not here, we are not sure why, but thank goodness they called us on our cell phone and directed to his room. He enjoyed the visits. He is presently on isolation for a hospital acquired infection he tested positive for in Feburary of this year, however, you can still visit as long as you wash your hands good when entering and leaving the room. He is negative now, but has to have 3 negatives before taking him off isolation. I will update you as soon as we know any information. Thanks,
Claire
Hello everyone,
We are on our 7th day at MUSC and we still do not have any answers. The test that was sent to Salt Lake City has still not come back. The Dr. told us today right now the only explanation he has for the recurrent pleural effusions is cancer, but there is no evidence of cancer in Pelhams case. Once the results are all back, they will make a decision whether or not to do the second pleurodesis. Pelham was able to walk a little ways down the hall today without labored breathing so that's an accomplishment. Everyday we hope that will be the day for good news. Pelhams father and stepmother was here yesterday and today and Pel was so glad to see them. If anyone has been trying to call him, we discovered today that the ringer on his phone was turned off. So we turned it on and he is in room 1059 at MUSC. He said he would be glad to talk, but if he did not answer, he was either gone for another test or too short of breath to talk. He wants everyone to know how much he appreciates the prayers and concerns. We know several people has come to Charleston to visit and was told he was not here, we are not sure why, but thank goodness they called us on our cell phone and directed to his room. He enjoyed the visits. He is presently on isolation for a hospital acquired infection he tested positive for in Feburary of this year, however, you can still visit as long as you wash your hands good when entering and leaving the room. He is negative now, but has to have 3 negatives before taking him off isolation. I will update you as soon as we know any information. Thanks,
Claire
Sunday, August 26, 2007
August 26, 2007
August 26, 2007
We are hoping the test results will be back tomorrow and we will know more about how to fix the problem. Pelham is still having some pain, but his spirits are good. His dad and step mom came in today and he was glad to see them. Looks like we will be here another week or so. Thank you all for the prayers coming our way. We know that God is with us and will carry him through this.
Claire
We are hoping the test results will be back tomorrow and we will know more about how to fix the problem. Pelham is still having some pain, but his spirits are good. His dad and step mom came in today and he was glad to see them. Looks like we will be here another week or so. Thank you all for the prayers coming our way. We know that God is with us and will carry him through this.
Claire
Friday, August 24, 2007
August 24, 2007
August 24, 2007
Well Pelham had another thoracentesis today and they got 3300ml. fluid this time. They still are waiting on the results of one specific test , chylomicron, in the fluid to see if it is present. It has to be sent to Salt Lake City, so it will be Monday until it comes back. That will show if the fluid is coming from the liver. The pulmonologist that is his primary Dr. here is Dr. Sahn, a well know physician who is an expert in pleural effusions. He says that out of 80 to 90 years of medical studies, there were only about 5 different causes and not any of those pertain to pelhams case. They are still saying he will need another pleurodesis next week. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Claire
Well Pelham had another thoracentesis today and they got 3300ml. fluid this time. They still are waiting on the results of one specific test , chylomicron, in the fluid to see if it is present. It has to be sent to Salt Lake City, so it will be Monday until it comes back. That will show if the fluid is coming from the liver. The pulmonologist that is his primary Dr. here is Dr. Sahn, a well know physician who is an expert in pleural effusions. He says that out of 80 to 90 years of medical studies, there were only about 5 different causes and not any of those pertain to pelhams case. They are still saying he will need another pleurodesis next week. Hope you all have a great weekend.
Claire
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
August 22,2007
August 22, 2007
Hello everyone, we are still here at MUSC. Pelham had CT scans and ultrasounds today and another diagnostic thoracentesis. The Doctors here say the pleurodesis he had last week was a failure, the fluid is back in his lung and is still leaking into his abdomen and flank area. They have many ideas of what is causing it, but nothing factual yet until the results of the test are back. One theory is that because of the liver transplant itself, a track from the liver to the lung had developed and the fluid around his liver was leaking into his lung and when the pressure built up so much in the lung it began leaking into his abd. Another theory is there may be a clot in a vessel causing the fluid build up. No one know for sure just yet, but the goal is to find out what is causing the fluid to accumulate and fix that. He may need another chest tube, another surgery to repair the tract, but they give us hope the cause will be found. WE appreciate all of you, the doctors back home, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Buice, Dr. Kopp all of them have been wonderful. I'll keep you updated. Thanks
Claire
Hello everyone, we are still here at MUSC. Pelham had CT scans and ultrasounds today and another diagnostic thoracentesis. The Doctors here say the pleurodesis he had last week was a failure, the fluid is back in his lung and is still leaking into his abdomen and flank area. They have many ideas of what is causing it, but nothing factual yet until the results of the test are back. One theory is that because of the liver transplant itself, a track from the liver to the lung had developed and the fluid around his liver was leaking into his lung and when the pressure built up so much in the lung it began leaking into his abd. Another theory is there may be a clot in a vessel causing the fluid build up. No one know for sure just yet, but the goal is to find out what is causing the fluid to accumulate and fix that. He may need another chest tube, another surgery to repair the tract, but they give us hope the cause will be found. WE appreciate all of you, the doctors back home, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Buice, Dr. Kopp all of them have been wonderful. I'll keep you updated. Thanks
Claire
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Road Trip
Hey Folks,
Sorry I have not been on the blog with any updates, but my dear wife has. I did want to in short tell you what's up and maybe when I get to feeling better I will tell you about this chest tube, bad stuff. I will take a liver transplant over a chest tube anyday.
However we are packing up and headed to Charleston and I will be admitted to MUSC when the next bed comes open. I am having a time with this fluid, not on my lung now but all on my left side.
God Bless You each one,
Love Claire, Abigail, Justin & Pel
Sorry I have not been on the blog with any updates, but my dear wife has. I did want to in short tell you what's up and maybe when I get to feeling better I will tell you about this chest tube, bad stuff. I will take a liver transplant over a chest tube anyday.
However we are packing up and headed to Charleston and I will be admitted to MUSC when the next bed comes open. I am having a time with this fluid, not on my lung now but all on my left side.
God Bless You each one,
Love Claire, Abigail, Justin & Pel
Friday, August 17, 2007
August 17, 2007
Pelham's blood test this am revealed improvement in his kidney function, so he was discharged home this afternoon. YAHOO! He is still very short of breath and having pain, but I think he is better, even he does not think so. We have to follow up at MUSC in Charleston in the next couple of weeks. Maybe in a few days he will feel like dropping a line or two on the blog. Thank you all again.
Claire
Claire
August 16, 2007
Pelham was moved to med surg floor today. He still has the chest tube in place and is having lots of pain. A nephrologist, Dr. Din was called in today because his kidney function is not very good. He thinks maybe it is caused by the antirejection medications he is taking and the massive fluid volume depletion from the numerous thoracentesis he has experienced the last few weeks. Hopefully the chest tube will be removed tomorrow and he can get up and get moving. He has pain and shortness of breath with the least bit of exertion at this point. Pelham's strong faith in God and the support and friendship he has with all of you will comfort him and see him through. Keep those prayers coming and Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Claire
Claire
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Post surgery August 15, 2007
August 15, 2007
Pelham got out of sugery yesterday about 1730 and went to the Intensive Care Unit, he had a bad first few hours post surgery, but once the pain med was increased, it was tolerable. Depending on how he progresses today, they may move him to a step down unit for further obseration. He sends all his love and wants to thank each and every one of you. Thank you all for your prayers and concerns through our journey. God Bless You
Claire
Pelham got out of sugery yesterday about 1730 and went to the Intensive Care Unit, he had a bad first few hours post surgery, but once the pain med was increased, it was tolerable. Depending on how he progresses today, they may move him to a step down unit for further obseration. He sends all his love and wants to thank each and every one of you. Thank you all for your prayers and concerns through our journey. God Bless You
Claire
Monday, August 13, 2007
Surgery Date & Time
Hey Folks,
I will be having my surgery on Tuesday,August 14, 2007 at AnMed Main Hospital in Anderson at 1230hrs. I will be admitted at 1030hrs. The surgery is to be around two hours long, I will either go to intensive care or a regular room. Thank you for your concerns, thoughts and most of all your prayers for my family and myself.
God Bless You,
Lightning
I will be having my surgery on Tuesday,August 14, 2007 at AnMed Main Hospital in Anderson at 1230hrs. I will be admitted at 1030hrs. The surgery is to be around two hours long, I will either go to intensive care or a regular room. Thank you for your concerns, thoughts and most of all your prayers for my family and myself.
God Bless You,
Lightning
Sunshine In Possum Kingdom & Update on Surgery
Good Morning My Dear Family & Friends,
As I sit here this morning, watching the sun rise and God shine his glory on Possum Kingdom & me, I think of how fortunate I really am. It is sometime easy to whine and complain about how bad things are in our own life, then we can just stop and look around and find someone worst off than we are. I think of that when I am complaining about how I feel. I am truly thankful for what God has done for me and I know he is in control of the future.
I hope this don’t sound oxy-moron but let me tell you what is in front of me. I have to call AnMed main hospital after 1500hrs today and find out what time I must arrive there in the morning and during this phone call I will be informed of what time my surgery will be scheduled for on 8/14/2007. The surgery in case you have not been informed is called a (VATS) Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with a biopsy and pleurodesis. The surgeon, Dr. Buice, has explained to me that he will put two or three incisions and be able to determine which method will be best. One procedure is using the talc powder, baby powder, but of course medical grade, by blowing it in the chest cavity. The other procedure is by scraping the walls this will causes an irritation, therefore causing the lung to stick also. He stated that he would probably use the powder. I am truly looking forward to this surgery, so this fluid will stop coming back in my lung area.
I had another 2300mls or 2.3liters drawn off my left lung on Friday and my breathing is short and laborious already again this morning. This fluid removal was more painful and the fluid was bloody this time. The doctor said that is was from the trauma from taping so often and that she probably hit a vessel with the tap. Nevertheless, this causes me to hang out in the recovery room for about three hours and get some heavy duty drugs on board and then a ride home from family members. My weekend has been uncomfortable but OK.
I am excited about a new adventure that is about to get underway. On August 21, 2007 a new class is starting at Greenville Tech and I am excited about being a part of it. I will be co-instructing in a class, Fire Investigations 1, on Tuesdays and ending in December, 2007.
I hope each of you has a great week and keep check on the blog as we will post updates as we can. I may only have dial-up while in the hospital, and we all know what that means.
God Bless You,
Lightning
As I sit here this morning, watching the sun rise and God shine his glory on Possum Kingdom & me, I think of how fortunate I really am. It is sometime easy to whine and complain about how bad things are in our own life, then we can just stop and look around and find someone worst off than we are. I think of that when I am complaining about how I feel. I am truly thankful for what God has done for me and I know he is in control of the future.
I hope this don’t sound oxy-moron but let me tell you what is in front of me. I have to call AnMed main hospital after 1500hrs today and find out what time I must arrive there in the morning and during this phone call I will be informed of what time my surgery will be scheduled for on 8/14/2007. The surgery in case you have not been informed is called a (VATS) Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery with a biopsy and pleurodesis. The surgeon, Dr. Buice, has explained to me that he will put two or three incisions and be able to determine which method will be best. One procedure is using the talc powder, baby powder, but of course medical grade, by blowing it in the chest cavity. The other procedure is by scraping the walls this will causes an irritation, therefore causing the lung to stick also. He stated that he would probably use the powder. I am truly looking forward to this surgery, so this fluid will stop coming back in my lung area.
I had another 2300mls or 2.3liters drawn off my left lung on Friday and my breathing is short and laborious already again this morning. This fluid removal was more painful and the fluid was bloody this time. The doctor said that is was from the trauma from taping so often and that she probably hit a vessel with the tap. Nevertheless, this causes me to hang out in the recovery room for about three hours and get some heavy duty drugs on board and then a ride home from family members. My weekend has been uncomfortable but OK.
I am excited about a new adventure that is about to get underway. On August 21, 2007 a new class is starting at Greenville Tech and I am excited about being a part of it. I will be co-instructing in a class, Fire Investigations 1, on Tuesdays and ending in December, 2007.
I hope each of you has a great week and keep check on the blog as we will post updates as we can. I may only have dial-up while in the hospital, and we all know what that means.
God Bless You,
Lightning
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
A Liquid Problem In A Dry Season!!
Good Afternoon Folks,
Hello my dear family & friends I just wanted to give you a quick update. The doctor feels it is best to go ahead with the surgery to fix the fluid in my lung area. I have an appointment with the surgeon in the morning. I then have to go to the cardiologist and have an echocardiogram to make sure the fluid is not building up around my heart, he don't think it is but want's to be sure. The answer he has right now is that my body is identifying something is in there that ain't suppose to be. My auto-immune system is sending out this fluid with inflammation to try to find what is the intruder, the anti-rejection meds are working, therefore it can't find that my liver is new, so we won't tell it. He said that the fluid was working more on a pressure theory than a volume theory, this is my words not his 6 cylinder words, therefore when they fix the area around my lung, once it reaches a set amount of pressure in my body it would quite making the fluid and should over time just go away. He said it would affect all my joints and organs that are in a sack, membrane.
Heck I guess he knows what he is talking about, he's got letters before his name and after his name, so who am I to question? My feeling is bring on the knife and let's get R dun!! I do wonder if when they put the talc powder, he said that was like baby powder, a medical grade, if when I sneeze I will blow a little puff of powder out, guess I would always have powder fresh breath.
Words Of Wisdom
If you ever enter a dark room, you know one with out lights, and you are not careful and leave the door open to long you will let all of the dark out.
God Bless You & Your Family,
Pel
Hello my dear family & friends I just wanted to give you a quick update. The doctor feels it is best to go ahead with the surgery to fix the fluid in my lung area. I have an appointment with the surgeon in the morning. I then have to go to the cardiologist and have an echocardiogram to make sure the fluid is not building up around my heart, he don't think it is but want's to be sure. The answer he has right now is that my body is identifying something is in there that ain't suppose to be. My auto-immune system is sending out this fluid with inflammation to try to find what is the intruder, the anti-rejection meds are working, therefore it can't find that my liver is new, so we won't tell it. He said that the fluid was working more on a pressure theory than a volume theory, this is my words not his 6 cylinder words, therefore when they fix the area around my lung, once it reaches a set amount of pressure in my body it would quite making the fluid and should over time just go away. He said it would affect all my joints and organs that are in a sack, membrane.
Heck I guess he knows what he is talking about, he's got letters before his name and after his name, so who am I to question? My feeling is bring on the knife and let's get R dun!! I do wonder if when they put the talc powder, he said that was like baby powder, a medical grade, if when I sneeze I will blow a little puff of powder out, guess I would always have powder fresh breath.
Words Of Wisdom
If you ever enter a dark room, you know one with out lights, and you are not careful and leave the door open to long you will let all of the dark out.
God Bless You & Your Family,
Pel
Friday, August 03, 2007
Pleural Effusion Update
Good Afternoon,
I hope all is well in your world. In my world, every thing is wonderful because God is in control.
I wanted to give you an update on what is happening with me and this (effusion) fluid issue; you know one of those bumps in the road. In earlier post I told you about the ultrasound guided thoracentesis on July 20, 2007. Well the fluid came back and I also noticed some swelling and pain in my abdomen and my left leg. Dr. Thompson wanted to conduct some additional test, so he ordered an ultrasound on my abdomen and some blood work. This was conducted at the AnMed main hospital. The fluid in my left lung had gotten to the point where just walking in the house would cause me to labor to breath, therefore Dr. Thompson also ordered another ultrasound guided thoracentesis to be conducted after the ultrasound on my abdomen. The ultrasound guided thoracentesis produced 2500mls or 2.5 liters. It all went very well; the folks taking care of me again were both professional and caring. Again I talk about how great some one was to me who I thanked for stabbing me in the back and arm with sharp instruments and the putting tubes in places that God did not leave a natural hole for. These procedures were virtually painless and most of all relieving, hence I can breath so much better now. I am so blessed with many family and friends taking care of me and praying for me. I am equally blessed to have the best medical team taking care of me. Dr. James Kopp, a great long time friend and my personal doctor and liver specialist here at home, Dr. Ira Wilner, my hepatologist and friend in Charleston, and Dr. Charles Thompson, my pulmonolotgist and friend in Anderson. I also must acknowledge their great staff, for they are the ones who first listen to my whining, but don’t seem to mind my whining. These great minds are in communication with each other to determine the cause of this (effusion) fluid and how is the best way to resolve this issue. The issue with the (pleural effusion) fluid in my lung comes from the fact that there is a substance in each of our bodies on the exterior of our lungs that causes our lung walls to stick to the chest wall, at some point my left lung has lost it’s sticky, therefore resulting in a pleural effusion, fluid pooling up in the area around my lung and chest wall. There is a procedure that will fix the problem, and after Dr. Thompson has discussed the possible treatments with Dr. Wilner, they concluded that Dr. Thompson will have a surgeon perform a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with biopsy and pleurodesis (putting in medicine, powder that will cause a chemical reaction, to cause the lung to stick to the chest wall and prevent recurrent accumulation). This will only be a 2 or 3 day hospital stay in Anderson. Dr. Wilner did tell Dr. Thompson that effusions of this type are not common after liver transplant. Dr Thompson had some other test conducted to determine the cause of the effusions, fluid generation. I have an appointment to see Dr. Thompson next week for the next step.
I hope each of you have a great weekend, stay cool.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
The more you stay out of the heat the cooler you will be!!
God Bless You,
Pel
FYI - My chest x-ray just after the ultrasound guided thoracentesis on 7-20-2007 that yeilded
3.6 liters.
Right
Left
I hope all is well in your world. In my world, every thing is wonderful because God is in control.
I wanted to give you an update on what is happening with me and this (effusion) fluid issue; you know one of those bumps in the road. In earlier post I told you about the ultrasound guided thoracentesis on July 20, 2007. Well the fluid came back and I also noticed some swelling and pain in my abdomen and my left leg. Dr. Thompson wanted to conduct some additional test, so he ordered an ultrasound on my abdomen and some blood work. This was conducted at the AnMed main hospital. The fluid in my left lung had gotten to the point where just walking in the house would cause me to labor to breath, therefore Dr. Thompson also ordered another ultrasound guided thoracentesis to be conducted after the ultrasound on my abdomen. The ultrasound guided thoracentesis produced 2500mls or 2.5 liters. It all went very well; the folks taking care of me again were both professional and caring. Again I talk about how great some one was to me who I thanked for stabbing me in the back and arm with sharp instruments and the putting tubes in places that God did not leave a natural hole for. These procedures were virtually painless and most of all relieving, hence I can breath so much better now. I am so blessed with many family and friends taking care of me and praying for me. I am equally blessed to have the best medical team taking care of me. Dr. James Kopp, a great long time friend and my personal doctor and liver specialist here at home, Dr. Ira Wilner, my hepatologist and friend in Charleston, and Dr. Charles Thompson, my pulmonolotgist and friend in Anderson. I also must acknowledge their great staff, for they are the ones who first listen to my whining, but don’t seem to mind my whining. These great minds are in communication with each other to determine the cause of this (effusion) fluid and how is the best way to resolve this issue. The issue with the (pleural effusion) fluid in my lung comes from the fact that there is a substance in each of our bodies on the exterior of our lungs that causes our lung walls to stick to the chest wall, at some point my left lung has lost it’s sticky, therefore resulting in a pleural effusion, fluid pooling up in the area around my lung and chest wall. There is a procedure that will fix the problem, and after Dr. Thompson has discussed the possible treatments with Dr. Wilner, they concluded that Dr. Thompson will have a surgeon perform a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with biopsy and pleurodesis (putting in medicine, powder that will cause a chemical reaction, to cause the lung to stick to the chest wall and prevent recurrent accumulation). This will only be a 2 or 3 day hospital stay in Anderson. Dr. Wilner did tell Dr. Thompson that effusions of this type are not common after liver transplant. Dr Thompson had some other test conducted to determine the cause of the effusions, fluid generation. I have an appointment to see Dr. Thompson next week for the next step.
I hope each of you have a great weekend, stay cool.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
The more you stay out of the heat the cooler you will be!!
God Bless You,
Pel
FYI - My chest x-ray just after the ultrasound guided thoracentesis on 7-20-2007 that yeilded
3.6 liters.
Right
Left
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)