Thu, 21 Oct 1999 22:11

No news yet on the PET; supposed to call us tomorrow

Logan had his full body PET scan today (50 min long). Before the scan the Doctor came out to say that they thought it best to sedate him as it was very important for Logan not to even move his fingers. Apparently, the PET scan is much more sensitive to movement than the MRI. I managed to talk the Doctor into 'trying it first' (knowing that this would be the only way to convince him). He agreed we could 'try it' and of course our little owl stayed perfectly still. We are thankful for even small successes like this :).

After PET scan, Logan and I went back downstairs to see his oncologist, Dr. Guruangan to get the news (or so we thought) But, we learned that a full body PET scan would need to be overlayed with MRI images and that they wouldn't know anything until tonight. Dr G let us know he was planning on going out of town tomorrow but that Melody, our nurse would call us tomorrow and let us know. So, we wait......

Logan's WBC is extremely low (-0.2) making an ANC of slightly over 100 (where 1000 and lower is considered neutropenic). His platelets are also low at 134. His temperature was 'thought' to be slightly elevated and Dr G was extremely close to admitting him today into the hospital for IV antibiotics. There was a debate between him and Melody in our waiting room about whether to add 1 or 2 degrees when measuring under the arm and whether the under-the-arm thermometer was accurate enough. They looked for their ear themometer to get a 'basal' temp; the ear scope was missing so he decided that we should go ahead and be admitted to the hospital. I suggested I take Logan (15 min walk) down to radiation oncology to borrow their scope. (Anything to avoid having to be admitted to the hospital). Unfortunately, their scope was also missing. Dr G then called the floor (Duke hospital) and they said they didn't have one either. (I could not believe a simple thing like getting an accurate temperature could be taking an extra 1 1/2 hours). At this point, I offered to go to a local drugstore and buy them one. Dr G said that would not be necessary and shortly called me back (waiting in radiation) to say we didn't need to be admitted since some informed nurse told him the under-the-arm scope is only 0.5 degrees off from ear scope. I guess his temp passed. We were able to go home!!!! Praise God!!!!

Our Duke Infusion Services (Homehealth) Nurse will be coming by on Saturday to draw Logan's blood (Dr G wants to keep a close watch on his counts - he may require platelets soon) and to watch me change Logan's dressing under sterile conditions. She only lives about 2 miles down the road from us. She is very competent, a good teacher, and her speciality is bone marrow transplant children patients. She encourages us to page her anytime we need her. It is nice to have a personal touch involved in Logan's care.

God is really providing for us even in the simple things. Today, I was greeted after our long day by the sweet smell of freshly cut grass. One of our neighbors had sneaked over to cut it - and just the day before had surprized us with homemade chicken noodle soup, bread and cookies. Another neighbor greeted us at 6:30 am as we were leaving for Duke (so cute in her curlers) - she wanted to make sure she gave us Logan's card to him on his birthday. What a blessing to have such wonderful neighbors. We have gotten to know these neighbors better through Logan's illness. It is amazing how God uses even bad circumstances for good.

Prayer Requests:

So, please keep praying for TBH (see p.s. section at end) Also for his counts to come up; wisdom and good communication between Logan's doctors (and us); Adam's emotional security. [Praise: We are thankful that Adam has not had to be passed around a lot] Finally, pray that the cyst-like-object in Logan's lungs is 'not a problem' and won't require surgery.

There have been so many kindnesses, encouragement, offers of help from so many people and I'm sorry that we have not thanked each one of you personally. I know God is really teaching me that we all really need each other but most of all that we all really, really need God!

Oops, didn't realize I was writing so much. Tomorrow, do think of us at 8:00 am during the CAT scan of Logan's lungs.

Laura and Knocker

p.s.

TBH = Total Body Healing - I borrowed this phrase from Jenna Sailsbury's mom. Jenna Salisbury has lukemia and has been in the bone marrow transplant unit at Duke for 3 months. She has a website (http://www.pilink.com/page/jennaswebsite/index.htm). We learned about Jenna in August from our church's prayer request list.