Eddie’s status: The lung situation is still no bueno.
- Pneumonia doesn’t seem to be improving, possibly it’s gotten worse
- Pleural effusion remains
- There’s now an air bubble in his lung to contend with
- Eddie is currently undergoing daily granulocyte transfusions to help fight the fungal infection
I drafted a lengthy update over the weekend, but lost it when the tumblr editor crashed. I took that as a sign that I should just cut to the chase.
The short story is that based on his last CT chest scans, Eddie’s fungal pneumonia does not seem to be getting any better.
According to the doctors, the pneumonia in his right lung has gotten more dense. Also, shortly after the thoracentesis, a procedure in which they drained the pleural effusion, more fluids filled the chest cavity back up. On top of that, there now appears to be an air bubble. They suspect some air may have gotten into the lung after the second thoracentesis. Oh yeah, did I mention that? Eddie had his lung tapped twice.
So what’s the plan now?
The doctors switched Eddie to the strongest anti fungal available, Amphotericin. This drug is known to put a lot of stress on the kidneys, so Eddie is receiving extra fluids and is being monitored closely.
In addition to the new anti-fungal, the doctors went ahead and set Eddie up with daily transfusions of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell.
White blood cells to the rescue!
Granulocyte transfusions are not very common because 1) it’s hard to get donors; donation and transfusions all need to happen in the same day due to the short half-life of white blood cells and 2) it comes with a host of side effects including fever and shortness of breath.
The doctors believe that given the fact that Eddie has no neutrophils and that his pneumonia doesn’t appear to be getting any better, the potential benefits of the granulocyte transfusions outweighs the risks.
I’ve come to think of granulocytes transfusions like a troop of mercenary soldiers, recruited to help Eddie attack a fearsome foe. As mercenaries, they are unlikely to stick around for very long, but they’ll go in and do the job that they were hired to do. One of the drawbacks of hiring a bunch of mercenaries, though, is that they tend to be a lawless lot of fighters, not overly concerned about the havoc they might wreak.
Granulocytes, those tough so-and-sos, take down anything that gets in their way.
I’m afraid to say that the mercenaries are running amok in Eddie’s body.
Reactions to granulocyte infusions vary between patients. Eddie, unfortunately, is having a rough run. The granulocyte transfusions not only bring about high fevers, but also exacerbate his already terrible cough, causing him to vomit when he coughs. This is what’s known as post-tussive emesis, a fancy term for one of the most awful symptoms ever.
So, far nothing they’ve tried has helped subdue the cough.
Depending on the availability of donors and Eddie’s ability to withstand all the side effects, the doctors plan to transfuse Eddie with granulocytes for up to 7 days.
Today makes day 3.
Oh boy. A lot more steps to go.
Eddie’s trying to fight through all the pain ad exhaustion, but sometimes it’s hard. Really, really hard.
We’re are all trying to steel ourselves and stay focused on the bigger picture, the road to BMT transplant, but sometimes it’s hard. Really, really hard.
Hard doesn’t mean it can’t be overcome. It’s just…hard.
I probably won’t get a chance to write another update until after Eddie gets through these granulocyte transfusions. Please know that we’re holding strong and are confident that we’ll get over this hump.
Strong like a bull (or Celine Dion).
I’d like to end this post with an expression of deep gratitude to the generous strangers who donate their granulocytes. These people have to come in on short notice and receive a needle full of growth factors before each donation, and if they’re willing, may go to the Blood Bank and donate as often as three times in a week.
I’ve donated blood a number of times never fully understanding what a significant impact such a singular act can have. I certainly will never again take that opportunity to help someone in need for granted.
To all you kind souls who have shared or will share a part of yourselves with Eddie so that he can fight his way back to health, this gif is for you.
