Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Evening update

Whew!  I guess I should wait until things are settled one way or another with my dad's diagnosis before I post anything but this is a way for me to keep track of what is going on.

My dad's doctor forwarded his medical tests to the pulmonary specialist in Cheyenne today.  The doctor there feels that the risks of doing a lung scope and biopsy on Dad far exceed the value at this point.  My dad just isn't strong enough to go through it.  He did say that by looking at the cat-scan of his lungs that he thinks this illness could be one of two things.  It could be the pulmonary fibrosis or it could be a new, antibiotic resistant pneumonia.  Either way, steroid therapy would benefit him.  He has been started on a steroid through his IV that is supposed to decrease the inflammation in his lungs and help the other medications work better.  They gave him a large 'loading' dose to get things started.  We are all hoping that this will be the boost his body needs to start the healing cycle.

My mom's tummy is settling down.  She had some broth and crackers, was going to take a shower and go back to bed for the night.  She is hoping that she will be well enough to go see Dad tomorrow.  I encouraged her to take another day off to be sure she doesn't pass any germs to him in case her upset wasn't food poisoning.

My sister finally reached Denver.  What a day she went through.  Her flight from San Luis Obispo was late into San Francisco so she missed her connection to Denver.  She got there at 6:30 instead of 4:30.  Then her luggage arrived on the next flight so she and my cousin didn't get out of the airport until nearly 9:00 Denver time.  The good news:  It stopped snowing and it didn't snow north of Denver!!  That is such good news because she will be traveling north into Wyoming tomorrow and the roads are clear and in good shape.

Thank you for your kind comments and prayers.

 

 

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear your Dad is so ill I hope the steroids help I really do and I hope your sister has a safe journey.
Love
Debbie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/drb1064/whatever

Anonymous said...

I hope the steroids help Kathy. I'm glad your mum feels better now, it's wise not to visit while she felt poorly. I hope your sister gets to Wyoming today, I know it's a fairly long trip, I drove from Denver to Cheyenne once, hope the weather stays good for her with no snow. Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

prayers going up for you and your family, I hope that the setroids work for him, so glad that your mum is feeling better, and that the weather stays good for your sister whilst she is travelling,
keep us posted, take care Lynne xx

Anonymous said...

I will keep him in my prayers..steroids are wonderful drugs..
Lyn

Anonymous said...

Hopefully the steroids will clear up your dads lungs....and fast!  Your poor sister must have had one heck of a trip!!

((hugs))
Jeanne

Anonymous said...

My prayers are for your mom and dad.  You are one strong lady to keep up with all of this.  You're doing a great job.  :)
http://journals.aol.com/mrsm711/LatteDah/     Tracy

Anonymous said...

Kathy

I don't know why, but I didn't get the last two entries that you did..  In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion that I haven't gotten alot of peoples entries.  Aol again.. meh!

I am sorry to hear about your dad.. I sure hope this new introduction of sterioids will be what does the trick to getting him back on the road to recovery.

I pray that the rest of your sister's journey goes as planned, and she arrives safely.

Keeping good thoughts and prayers for your dad...

love and hugs
jackie

Anonymous said...

I'm keeping you and your family in my prayers on the smoke. (Hugs) Indigo