Hi everyone, this is Sue again. As promised to chappy I will try to explain some of his labs and what it means to the docs.
As you already know, Sam needed some blood. He had been as white as a ghost(for lack of a better term only), for about close to 2 months. He was getting weaker by the minute and he was having a harder and harder time breathing even with the oxygen on. Several times it crossed my mind that maybe he needed some blood. But chappy being chappy didn't want to go to hospital. He had an appt.on the 20th of June and promised me he would not cancel his appt. Well they drew blood as they always do and we waited for the lab reports, when Dr. O'Donnell (his chemo doc) got a phone call from the lab directly I knew something was up for sure. Sure enough Sam needed blood (and who said I wasn't a smart person). Anyway his Red Bood Count (the cells that carry oxygen and stuff to the major organs, simply put, was at 2.91. The norms are 4.23-5.66.
No wonder he was having such a hard time breathing. His Hemoglobin was at
7.3 with norms being 12.8-17. Uh oh! Sam really need blood and NOW!
His Hematocrit was 24.7, norms 39.2-50.4. No wonder the doc got called personally instead of the report being faxed to the nurse.
Well that wasn't bad enough. Chappy's GGT's was156 norms being 10-65!
Chappy's liver is in trouble. Cancer there now, who knows but this level is not good. His kidneys are also 41 with the norm being >60. His Lymphocytes are also very low meaning he could have an underlying infection, a virus or just doesn't have much to fight another infection if he gets one. His albumin level is also low but since he isn't eating enough to feed a bird that didn't surprise anyone. Albumin shows whether or not you are not getting enough nutrition.
What does this all mean. Chappy is ver very sick. The cancer is eating up his good cells so fast that his blood cells can't reproduce fast enough anymore. He got 2-3 units of blood (the nurse screwed up and we not really have any idea how much he got). Doc ordered two units and because Chappy now has antigens (another horror story), his blood basically has to get "scrubbed" before he can get it. So it has to come from Burlington, VT on a "bus". Way to go VA. Anyway, it takes time and that's why Sam had to get admitted overnight. His liver isn't functioning in the capacity it should so unless his level comes up at some point he will get jaundice, yellow skinned, eyes, etc. his kidneys may at some point shut down which really is indelible with the dying process. Because his lymphocytes are so low, he doesn't have the ability to fight off infections. Doc told him the next one may be the end.
Chappy's gums have also receded horribly because, the dentist thinks, he wasn't getting enough oxygenated blood and the gums therefore don't get it and this can happen. It makes eating a little bit more of a challenge not to mention he could very well end up with an infection in his gums or around his teeth.
None of this is a pretty picture. I tried to be somewhat blunt but not too gruesome.
The pain at times appear to be absolutely unbearable for Sam. I can't do anything to help or stop it. They increased his pain meds and also added a Duragesic patch. I have to be honest when he is in this kind of pain alls I can do is pray and weep like a little baby. It is so hard to watch the one you love with all your heart hurt like that. The one who took care of me when I couldn't walk. The one who said it would be ok when I couldn't control my bladder and had accidents in a Resturant. The one who held me in his arms and cryer with me and told me we would get through not only when I was Diagnosed with MS, but when his Mom &Step-Dad died. And when my Dad and Mom died. When our son was killed in that horrid car accident. And most recently when my twin sister died 4 1/2 months ago. And yes less than 2 weeks ago when the doc told him he had a month, maybe two to live. This is the man who has always held me up as well as his children and grandchildren. Yes, even all of ou who he has come to love and cherish your friendship and gone to The Lord for you all. How, how do I let this man that ou all know as Chappy and Sam to me, I pray when that day comes I can look I'm in the eyes and say, "Yes, I'll be ok, it's ok, go be with The Lord and all those we love.
I am sorry I went on like this, I guess my fingers did the talking for me. We met with one of our dearest friends yesterday and Tina will do the service for Sam. Probably one of the hardest things she has ever been asked to do. Tina is a wonderful Christian and when the time come and any of you are able to come you will see why Sam has asked her to say his last words.
God Bless you all and from the deepest depths of my soul, Thank You for caring, sharing your lives, your friendship, your love, but most of all for all your prayers for Sam over the course of this journey. May The Lord Bless each and everyone of you each and every day.
Love, Sue
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Topic: I might be down, but I'm not out! (Read 249492 times)