Day +22: dialysis

Our new MVP!

So, I think dialysis gets a bad rap. There's this definite connotation that goes along with the word. Every time I hear someone mention that someone else is "on dialysis" everyone listening sighs or says stuff like, "OH! You're kidding.". I've been dreading the idea of dialysis, but yesterday when they told us that he would start tomorrow I really looked into it. As far as I can tell, all the sighing and sympathetic comments must just be from knowing that if dialysis is taking place, than the kidneys is in a sad state of affairs. The machine just pulls the blood out, cleans it and puts it back. It's not anymore dangerous than having a normal central line. They're actually using the hickman Daylon already had in. Low blood pressure is our biggest concern but Daylon's actually needed medicine lately to keep it from going too high, so that shouldn't be a problem. Of course, with blood pressure concerns comes the need to check his blood pressure more often. Every 10 minutes actually. I've asked the nurse to alternates appendages and we're still doing manual checks, so hopefully it won't cause too much trauma. The goal for today is to bring him down 500 grams. It will be DAYS at this rate to bring him back to his normal weight, but I guess we have nothing but time here. Yesterday I was a wreck because his levels were all shooting up, his lungs filled even more with fluid and by 10 o'clock last night his tummy and chest were so tight that when that when the resident came in and pushed on his belly, the skin tore around her finger. His levels shot up a bit more today, but it is nice to know that tomorrow looks to be a better day.

Snuggle Buddies

Daylon's count is still going strong! He's been off the GCSF (cell fertilizer) for 8 days and his counts are 8.3 for white cells and 6.5 for Neutrophils. He's completely within normal range. The BMT doctors continue to be impressed with how well he's doing BMT wise. His skin has continued to heal faster than normal in some areas. I am so excited! I think in a few days I'll post some before and after pictures. Do you guys want to see some minor area before and after photos? There's a poll to the side of the screen...vote!! :) His skin is still blistering and tearing but at least it's not these giant sores for months anymore! He's completely off the paralytic and he's doing pretty well with being taken down on the vent. He's still getting the same amount of oxygen but he's initiating the breaths. It's kind of this dance between all of his issues...two steps forward, one step back...you can't dance well until you're dancing together.

Speaking of together....Daylon and Bella continue to be "double trouble" around here! She's joining Daylon on dialysis today! I was hoping they would bring up their machines together so I could snag a picture, but no such luck! His nurse came up just a bit before hers. NUTS! Oh, well! He actually had to have TPA put into his lines to loosen things up so maybe they'll start at the same time! LOL! Thank you for all your prayers! He's needed them! :)

The Whole Team!