Dr. Hidari August 16th

Just got back from Dr. Hedari.  He had collected a lot of information from the hospital and other doctors.  He spoke with Dr. Trang and both agreed Dad was doing a little better.  His blood work showed that his kidney function seemed stable at around 23%, no fever, and his white blood cell count had retreated.  These items coupled with the reduction in pain indicated that the antibiotics are working.  The next indicator is Dad’s face.  Dr. Hedari said that as the antibiotics continue to work the infection will be reduced in the bone surrounding the nerve.  As the infection is reduced, the inflammation is reduced and the nerve comes back to life.  Because of Dad’s limited kidney function, the doctors can’t do a contrast study to find out where the infection is or isn’t.

He was concerned with the fluid in Dad’s abdomen.  Personally, I didn’t think it was “substantially” more than it has been.  Dr. Hedari looked like he had never seen it before.  Tom has been asking about it for the last two weeks at least.  Anyway, we told him that they had re-prescribed Lasix(the water pill) and we’re hopeful that that reduces the fluid amount.  Will monitor his weight to see if the fluid goes down.  Dr. Nguyen had said that if the chemo was working that the fluid would be reduced.  Dr. Hidari says we are at least 3 weeks away from even considering another round of chemo.

Dad seemed in good spirits.  Bill said he was up early, had a little breathing problem and they used the allbuterol once again.  This time he didn’t feel jittery.