Good News, Bad News and Terrible News

I am becoming tired of writing this blog because there is never much of anything positive to report and I do not see any change forthcoming to alter that view.

However, Kayce is now home from the hospital after being treated for Pancreatitis. She was one sick young women and of course once again, we were not here for her. She is doing fine and catching up on finals and homework.

While we were still in NC, our good friend Doug Hill (wife Cookie) suffered a massive heart attack just after a brief visit to the Center For Living Facility. Doug's transplant was Sept. 2006 and hasn't had a good day since. I talked to Cookie about an hour after 911 took him to the ER and understood his condition to be serious. I immediately went to the ER and was met by a social worker that told me his condition was extremely grave. I stayed with her for about four hours and went back the next day but Doug's condition remained the same. I have mentioned in this blog previously about Doug and Cookie and value their friendship tremendously. I had a long chat with Doug when they invited me over for dinner while Joy was in the hospital. He was showing signs of improvement. But Doug never regained consciousness.

Doug has died. He too, had IPF like Joy and has been sick for about four years the worst of which was the last two. There has to be a special place for the likes of Doug and Cookie Hill.

Joy had a miserable trip back. We were home for about 2 hours when I took Joy to her local doctor to examine her incision area which was inflamed and painful. The doctor sent her immediately to ER and she now remains in 100% isolation suspected of having the MRSA infection. Her compromised immune system is hampering their treatment options. They opened her incision and installed a vacuum pump to aid in the healing process. They plan to give her two units of blood tonight.

She has been searching for a good reason to cancel the December Duke appointments with the surgeon, transplant clinic, endocrinologist and treatment for her back. She may have just found one.

When Will It Ever End

As if we didn't have enough concerns, Cathy had to take Kayce to the emergency room for severe abdominal pain and nausea and she was subsequently transferred by ambulance to another hospital more suitable for diagnosis and treatment for teens. Some improvement noted but definate diagnosis TBD. We feel so bad to be so far away but Cathy is keeping us updated frequently.

Joy was discharged yesterday so she is trying to recover at our hotel apartment sufficient to make the 893 mile drive home. Other than getting staples removed in two weeks and blood labs Friday she has clinic appointments later this month and several in early December but at this point, she is tired of being stuck, poked, cut and dealing with the multitude of doctors so those trips and appointments are in jeopardy. I can't blame her.

When will it ever end?