August 28, 2007

Hello everyone,

We are on our 7th day at MUSC and we still do not have any answers. The test that was sent to Salt Lake City has still not come back. The Dr. told us today right now the only explanation he has for the recurrent pleural effusions is cancer, but there is no evidence of cancer in Pelhams case. Once the results are all back, they will make a decision whether or not to do the second pleurodesis. Pelham was able to walk a little ways down the hall today without labored breathing so that’s an accomplishment. Everyday we hope that will be the day for good news. Pelhams father and stepmother was here yesterday and today and Pel was so glad to see them. If anyone has been trying to call him, we discovered today that the ringer on his phone was turned off. So we turned it on and he is in room 1059 at MUSC. He said he would be glad to talk, but if he did not answer, he was either gone for another test or too short of breath to talk. He wants everyone to know how much he appreciates the prayers and concerns. We know several people has come to Charleston to visit and was told he was not here, we are not sure why, but thank goodness they called us on our cell phone and directed to his room. He enjoyed the visits. He is presently on isolation for a hospital acquired infection he tested positive for in Feburary of this year, however, you can still visit as long as you wash your hands good when entering and leaving the room. He is negative now, but has to have 3 negatives before taking him off isolation. I will update you as soon as we know any information. Thanks,

Claire

August 26, 2007

We are hoping the test results will be back tomorrow and we will know more about how to fix the problem. Pelham is still having some pain, but his spirits are good. His dad and step mom came in today and he was glad to see them. Looks like we will be here another week or so. Thank you all for the prayers coming our way. We know that God is with us and will carry him through this.

Claire

August 24, 2007

Well Pelham had another thoracentesis today and they got 3300ml. fluid this time. They still are waiting on the results of one specific test , chylomicron, in the fluid to see if it is present. It has to be sent to Salt Lake City, so it will be Monday until it comes back. That will show if the fluid is coming from the liver. The pulmonologist that is his primary Dr. here is Dr. Sahn, a well know physician who is an expert in pleural effusions. He says that out of 80 to 90 years of medical studies, there were only about 5 different causes and not any of those pertain to pelhams case. They are still saying he will need another pleurodesis next week. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Claire

August 22, 2007

Hello everyone, we are still here at MUSC. Pelham had CT scans and ultrasounds today and another diagnostic thoracentesis. The Doctors here say the pleurodesis he had last week was a failure, the fluid is back in his lung and is still leaking into his abdomen and flank area. They have many ideas of what is causing it, but nothing factual yet until the results of the test are back. One theory is that because of the liver transplant itself, a track from the liver to the lung had developed and the fluid around his liver was leaking into his lung and when the pressure built up so much in the lung it began leaking into his abd. Another theory is there may be a clot in a vessel causing the fluid build up. No one know for sure just yet, but the goal is to find out what is causing the fluid to accumulate and fix that. He may need another chest tube, another surgery to repair the tract, but they give us hope the cause will be found. WE appreciate all of you, the doctors back home, Dr. Thompson, Dr. Buice, Dr. Kopp all of them have been wonderful. I’ll keep you updated. Thanks

Claire