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November 29, 1999

 
From: "Smith, Dianne" <Dianne.Smith@mpls.frb.org>

November was a trying month! By the 24th, we'd been in the hospital 19 days
in November. Each day brought more tests and then lots of waiting for
results and praying.

When Jenny's liver started having trouble metabolizing the meds, she felt
nauseous. Soon she couldn't tolerate eating or drinking anything (not even
her meds). After 6 days of that, she was so dehydrated and weak that she
ran a fever. That's when she got admitted back to the hospital. The
standard protocol of administering antibiotics for bacterial, fungal and
viral infections was followed again, adding to her liver's workload. All of
the tests came back negative, except the CMV test. Jenny was CMV+ again.
This time they put Jenny on Foscarnet to treat it. Within 10 days, she was
CMV negative again. This med did a much better job of taking out the CMV
than the gancycloir that she had been on in the past. It wasn't long
after the nausea was gone that she began eating small amounts and her liver
recovered. Finally, with some adjustments to the meds, Jenny started to
rebound. Thankfully, on Wednesday, Nov. 24 she was discharged. Jenny made
it home for Thanksgiving. What a happy, joyful Thanksgiving it was!

We're at Day #165, so some of the more invasive meds' doses are being
reduced. Jenny is more active and alert. Her WBC, Hbg and platelets are
holding better. We still give her 4 I.V. meds and 8-12 pills a day. All
in all, the treatment process has become more manageable for Steve and I.
Some days we can even see the light at the end of the tunnel. We truly
cherish each day and its blessings. Finally, we see a better future for
Jenny and this makes it all worthwhile.

We think of all of you so often, with the holidays approaching its easy to
get homesick -- so keep in touch. And keep us in your prayers.

Love from all of the Smiths,
Steve, Dianne, Jenny and Jason

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