After getting treated for the cat bite a couple weeks ago, things kinda went downhill the rest of the next week. Becky was feeling kind of “off.” We had a previously scheduled appointment at UTSW on that Thursday, April 4th. By the time we got there, Becky was feeling a little light-headed, her kidney numbers were elevated, and she had had a couple, what I’ll call “minor,” hallucinations. The combination resulted in another stay at the UT Southwestern Inn & Suites (aka, hospital, to most people).
Unfortunately, we’re starting to be able to predict the routine. Becky was subjected to after another round of tests, blood draws, scans, questions, more blood draws, more questions, and a few days of observation. In the end the diagnosis was that Becky’s s system was not dealing well with the combination of a recently added transplant medication and the two antibiotics originally prescribed post laparoscopy and then extended/updated after the cat bite - in addition to the 13 other regular medications she’s taking. The antibiotics were stopped, the new med was reduced in strength, and one other regular med was switched. After all that, Becky was released on Monday and felt better for most of last week.
Yes, “most” of the week ... right up until Friday, her birthday. The week started off pretty good. She was doing chauffeur duty for grandkids while Brian was in Dallas for work. She started feeling bad on Friday. On Saturday, she stayed in bed late because she was extra tired - which was not-unexpected with all her activity during the week. But then she started complaining of chest pains, similar to but stronger than those that led to the laparoscopic procedure a couple weeks ago.
So, not wanting to mess around with chest pains, we decided to visit the Seton ER in Round Rock on Saturday afternoon. After more tests, the decision was to admit Becky to the hospital for two reasons. One, her kidney numbers were once again elevated. IV fluids overnight have already brought those numbers back in line. Two, there was some indication there may be some fluid around her heart. Orders were placed for an echocardiogram to get a better look. The echocardiogram was negative. A stress test was scheduled for Monday morning (although not completed until Tuesday). The stress test showed some potential blockage. A subsequent CTA (CT scan with contrast) determined there was no blockage and her heart was fine. On to the next test, an EGD (endoscopy, upper GI scope) today, Friday, the 19th, showed Becky has gastritis and a hiatal hernia - both of which could be contributing to her pain and discomfort, and are easily treatable. We’re waiting to talk to a doctor about next steps.
Happy birthday to the love of my life! It's been one heck of a year. If somebody would have told me last year that you would be a five month transplant survivor on this birthday, I never would have believed them. We compressed an amazing amount of emotion, stress, joy, uncertainty, hope, pain, anxiety, relief, heartache, worry, thankfulness ... and emergency room visits ... into one year. In hindsight, as hectic as it was, I'm glad it didn't drag on. I'm incredibly thankful you're here for this milestone birthday, and look forward to having you around for many more. Love you. Now and forever.
Praying that the medical team is able to determine the source or Becky’s ongoing chest/GI pain so we can break the pattern of weekend hospital time. It’s really cutting into our time with the grandkids.
