Friday, February 2, 2007

Day 15-17

I was released from the hospital. I came down with a high fever and let me stay home with these cool eclipse balls to dispense antibiotics. Went back up to get checked and they did everything possible so i could go home again. Unfortunately last night I spiked another high temp and I am back in the hospital. I pneumonia, abnormal liver functions, and low blood pressure. They are keeping a close eye on me and hopefully I can kick these fevers soon.


All for now I am just to week to type.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

We are all pulling for you and hope you will be home soon.


Michele, Dave, Ryan, Charles and Michael

Linda said...

Hey Kiddo, Uncle Keith and I want you to take care of yourself. Please get some rest. Lots of Love and prayers as always. Aunt Linda

Anonymous said...

Heather:

Everyone in Portland is praying, wishing, hoping, pleading and otherwise begging you to get healthy!

John, Jessica, Matt, Kelly, Gary and, the ever so charming, Ms. Gracie

Daniel Maier said...

Hi Heather and Dave -

Good luck and hope you kick the fever asap. Love and best wishes from London.

Dan

Anonymous said...

Heather, still praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Damn those germs!! Keep fighting Heather so you can get home!! I know you can do it!

Thinking of you,
K

Jane Ochiltree said...

Heather, Sorry to hear that you had to go back in the hospital. Louise and I email almost every day so she keeps me updated. I am praying for you and I know you soon will be home with your beautiful family. Louise sent me pictures of the kids. They are beautiful. Keep fighting we are all here for you. My family always asks about you and I keep them updated. God Bless you. Jane

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather!

We are all hoping you get to go home soon. Kendal and I pray for you, Dave and the kids every night as she goes to bed. The whole Barnes clan is thinking about you daily!

We love you!
Tommy, Dina, Kendal and Jackson

Anonymous said...

Heather,
Hang in there. We send our prayers and good thoughts to you Dave and the kids.
Aunt Sandy & Uncle Chuck

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather,

Aneta and I are keeping you in our prayers.

Ezra

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather
Dave's cousin from the UK here. We, (that's my wife Jane and baby Jake and I), wish you a very speedy recovery.
Lots of Love, Mark, Jane and Jake xx

Anonymous said...

P.S. Forgot the most IMPORTANT member of the Portland contingent... that constantly traveling, delightful lady of the friendly United Airlines skies.... your Aunt Joyce!

Color Uncle John in serious trouble for failing to include her in the first message....

Anonymous said...

Heather,
So sorry you're back in. My kids were unhappy about it and think it's very unfair. They say a prayer for you every day, as we all do. Hope you're able to get rest and feel better quickly! You're in our hearts.
Justine

Anonymous said...

Heather,
Thinking about you and praying for you and your family. Hope you get well and get outta there!
Lisa Enright

Jane Ochiltree said...

Hi Heather, It's Jane just saying hi and wishing you well. Haven't spoken to Louise. Hope you will be coming home real soon.

Anonymous said...

Hello Everyone,

This is Heather's sister again. I know that silence may be frightening, so I will provide an update here in the comments section (I do not have the ability to post to the main page).

Since Heather has returned to the hospital (with pneumonia), she has also contracted a liver disease called "VOD". This disease is related to the high volume of chemotherapy that Heather has taken over the entire course of her struggle. Somewhere between 5-10% of all transplant patients experience this side effect and the physicians say it is serious.

VOD can be mild, moderate, or severe. We do not yet know where Heather's case falls along this spectrum. We have reason to believe, though, that her outlook may be optimistic because her white blood cell counts have risen in the past few days and her body is working to fight the VOD.

Heather is not writing because she is in a lot of pain and often heavily medicated. Because her liver is malfunctioning, she is not processing nutrients properly and is retaining large volumes of fluid. This fluid is pressing on her digestive organs and lungs and causing the pain. Unfortunately it seems that even if she is able to adequately fight off the liver disease, these effects (the painful effects of the excess fluid) will last weeks if not months.

Heather drifts in and out of lucidity due to the pain medication. During the more sober moments of our conversations I always tell her how many people have visited her blog, who has sent their prayers, and how many people are on "Team Heather". She is always surprised and happy to hear how many people are cheering her on, so please keep your positive thoughts coming!

Thank you and God bless!

Michele

Anonymous said...

Michele,
Thank you for the update. I was worried about Heather. I will continue my prayers for her and your family.
Lisa Enright

Anonymous said...

Michele,
Thanks so much for the update on Heather.

Heather,
You hang in there and know "Team Heather" is in your corner and pulling for you to go home soon!!

Thinking you you,
Kathleen

Anonymous said...

"Sister Michele",

Heather is so lucky to have you!!

Stay strong for her & the family!

Thank you so much for the update!

Please tell her how much we all think and talk about her and send her,David & kids our LOVE!!!!!!!!1

Aunt Edna (Newcastle,England)

Anonymous said...

Hi Heather,

I have you and your family in my prayers. You are a very strong person and I know you will get through this. YOU will beat this and everything will be okay.

So hang in there and I will be looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Stay Strong,
La'Shaune