Setbacks

There have been some setbacks which unfortunately have delayed Tracy's hospital release.

I'm going to play a bit of catch up with updating Tracy's condition. I had originally wrote yesterday's post on Tuesday night from the airport but I could not upload the photo until yesterday afternoon. During that day and a half span, a LOT has happened so I apologize lumped together updates.

For this post I am going to include the email I received from Tracy's mom, Josephine, yesterday. When I read the email it felt as though someone reached inside of me and was squeezing my heart with all their strength. It really made me think about the emotions that Tracy is going through being a mother and unable to share in the celebration of Xavier's first year of life, but it also made me think about Tracy's mom and how this must be for her. One thing I do know however is that a mother's love knows no bounds and that alone I'm sure will be a real guiding force in helping Tracy to recover. From her own personal determination to the fight that Josephine puts up on Tracy's behalf as well, she will get through this in time.

Josephine wrote:
Tracy had a setback during her 5th treatment of plasmapheresis. Blood pressure dropped way low 80/44 and she got cold sweats and shakes and then shooting pains down her leg bones and into ankles. She had 3 heavy blankets on her and hot water bottles made of latex gloves were used to warm her hands. She was in pain all day into the night and begged for morphine that they did not want to give because of blood pressure. The blankets did come off one by one over a few hours and the sweats went by late afternoon. She had little appetite and I really had to push jello and mashed potatoes and juice on her. She also required a few nebulizer treatments as she was a little congested and couldn't blow her nose. She also had to have catheter reinserted as she knew her bladder was full but couldn't use the muscles to expel.

She had a halfway decent night and today seems improved. She ate a good breakfast of milky oatmeal, banana, mango, and pears, jello and juice. She was able to do her leg, arm and breathing exercises with me providing the resistance. Tracy also got a shower and hair wash. Dr. Pena came in to see her in the shower and check for signs of marks that might lead to bed sores. She has a small one on her elbow and a 3 inch red mark under one arm that we need to watch. Tracy is dead weight to lift and trying to shift her in the bed or lounge chair often takes 3 people. I don't know how we will manage when we get her to the house. Gary is coming Monday but he will not be able to lift her and most of their guy friends already have bad backs. Lunch has just arrived so we'll see if she can eat some chicken soup and more jello!

Josue is leaving now to get a few things from home and to pick up his mom and Xavier at the bus stop. We will try to do a little celebrating this evening. Xavier is 1 year old today. Josue has his high school class at 4 with a test.  I know he will be distracted wanting to get back to see Xavier.

Keep us in your thoughts please. Tracy and I do a lot of praying. We've watched the You Tube videos on this syndrome and the recovery rehab and she knows it may be a long process. She can hardly manage 1 lb. weights.