Dr. Kahn believes that due to Maggie's immune system being continually wiped out, the natural bacteria in her small intestine could be growing and causing inflammation. Typically, with a normal immune system (for people not receiving chemo), bacteria that sits in your digestive system is easily managed and causes no harm. If this is in fact the cause of her problems, she prescribed a medicine that should help resolve it. Maggie will be taking an antibiotic that only affects the intestines for 3 days. We may see results in the first week or so, but it might not take full effect for several weeks. If this doesn't work, they will explore other causes by doing a a couple of scopes. Hopefully we will not need to go toward these more invasive route. Either way, she's not surprised to see someone on chemotherapy to have chronic diarrhea.
So, that is what was resolved from these couple days of staying in the hospital. Though Maggie is still having some diarrhea, it has slowed. Her bottom is healing nicely thanks to disposable cloth wipes and her diaper cream, and she is back to her smiling self due to the rehydration of fluids and Potassium.
We pray that this is the last time we will have a stay in the hospital. We told our nurses that from now on we will only be visiting the floor to say "hi." Though we love the "family" on the hemoc floor, we would much rather sleep in our own beds, eat our own food, and have the freedom to roam around IV pole-free.
Thank you all for your continued prayers. Please pray that this antibiotic will heal Maggie's diarrhea and also pray that during this time of very low counts, she will remain infection-free.
3 comments:
Thanks for that report. I was thinking of your GI specialist's visit all day and wondering how it went.
Hope the medicine works so Maggie doesn't have to submit to more invasive treatments.
I, too, hope that your hospital visits in the future will be social visits.
Do keep us informed in the coming days about Maggie's response to the medicine, rebounding from he chemo, etc.
And do let us know as well when Maggie is "back to her smiling self."
And hopefully sleeping longer and with fewer interruptions.
And when she can be free of the feeding tube.
Love and prayers always. Look forward to seeing you all in July!
Great Aunt Phyllis
I think you both could qualify for Dr's assistants, because you have grasped so much knowledge about this dreaded disease. You explain things so lay people like myself can understand what is going on. I thank God that Maggie has such wonderful, caring and loving parents with the intellect to understand and follow through with this protocol. Love to you all Sandy
maybe you could see if you could give her an acidophilus supplement. It is the nantural bacteria in yogurt. When i have been on strong antibiotics my doctors suggested it to help replenish bacteria to prevent diahrea. It is all natural so it can not hurt but i have only seen it in pill form. Maybe it would help. Thinking of you!!!!!
Post a Comment