posted
Some of you know that my daughter is expecting my first grandchild soon - she's due on the 11th, so it could be any time now. It's a boy and they're naming him Eli.
Back in January, my son-in-law's mother died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and shortly after that he (Jeremy, my s-i-l) was selected as a potential bone marrow donor for a 16 year old boy with some disease I can't remember now, some pre-cursor to leukemia I believe.
Jeremy has been preparing for several months to donate bone marrow - he's been through a battery of tests, and he's 100% healthy. He's also a big guy, so he's an ideal donor.
He went through the procedure last Thursday in Seattle, then flew home (to SE Idaho) Friday night. He wasn't feeling great at that point, but that was expected, and he was supposed to be able to return to a modified work schedule today.
Saturday he was feeling worse, and about 9 pm spiked a fever, so my daughter took him to the local ER. His fever was 102 and his oxygen saturation level was about 50% (should be nearly 100), so he was admitted to the hospital and is on IV antibiotics and oxygen. He's got aspiration pneumonia, which is a rare side effect of general anesthesia.
We know Jeremy will be fine. He's young and healthy and is receiving the best medical care available. But the timing of this couldn't be worse. Originally, the collection surgery was scheduled for early April, which would have given him plenty of time to recover before the baby came, but it was postponed and now my daughter is stressed out and scared to death that he won't be better before she has the baby.
I'm sitting here 3000 miles away feeling as helpless as I've ever felt in my life. I'm trying to decide if I should make some arrangements for my 2 girls here and go to Idaho NOW instead of waiting until my scheduled trip next month. My kids have told me to stay here - they feel like they'll need me more after the baby comes...
Jeremy's dad and two brothers live in the same town as my kids, and my college-aged daughter lives there too. The local church congregation is there to help, as well as countless family friends. I know that they're being taken care of. But it's so hard to be so far away.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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posted
Good golly, how awful! I am sending my best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.
I guess you should listen to your kids about when they will most need your help, and stick with your plans for a visit next month. It sounds like they have a strong social circle for support.
posted
Warm thoughts and hot thoughts alike coming your way. I too hope everything works out just fine.
Posts: 1215 | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Good news maui babe! I'm glad that things seem to be working out. *Continued prayers for the maui babe family.
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Continued prayers here, too. And you know, if they don't mind help from internet strangers, I'm pretty sure there are Hatrackers in the area who might be able to help out in a pinch if you can't get there and the baby comes early or something...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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