Sarah looked a little perkier yesterday when I left the hospital, although she was still running a fever.
She’s been getting fluids and magnesium through her IV which has made a big difference in how she feels overall; I think she had gotten quite dehydrated.
I had no clue what magnesium did so I looked it up and found that “magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA.”
Her platelets have dropped from 140 a few days ago to about 50 yesterday, so once again, that remains part of the puzzle to be figured out.
Two infectious disease doctors stopped by yesterday to do an exam and ask Sarah all kinds of questions. I’m always glad to see two doctors instead of one because it means there are double the brilliant brains being applied to her situation.
The two doctors are testing for all manner of things–from mono to HIV to everything in between. We are praying that something shows up soon and that a treatment can be found.
We should also hear back today on the CT scan from yesterday. I’m sure there are more things on the docket for today; I’m just not sure yet what they are.
Someone called yesterday to check on scheduling her colonoscopy. However, she is going to ask the doctor if this is the best time for that. The whole goal of this visit is to help her eat and gain back some weight; to take her off food and give her medicines to cause diarrhea would probably not be the most helpful thing. So we’ll probably have to make another trip back for that when she feels better.
On a happy note, she ate half of a small piece of chicken breast last night along with a bit of rice. She had some abdominal pain afterward, but other than that, it seemed to settle well.
And speaking of food, you oldtimers around here might remember a high school friend of hers, Taylor. (Second from the left.)
Taylor is an engineering specialist at Merck and lives in Raleigh. She has been in touch with us saying she and her family are praying for Sarah; yesterday she emailed to offer to drop off a home-cooked lunch today. So thoughtful of her!
We are also having dinner provided by Tiffany, who did Sarah’s pheresis when she was six years old. Tiffany still works with the transplant program at Duke all these years later, which is amazing. Every time we come, she always offers to help us in any way we need. We are very grateful for such dear people in our lives.
Although we have great meals provided today, nightly lodging is another story. We just discovered that when staying on the adult floor (instead of the pediatric transplant floor where Sarah was last time), family members cannot stay overnight.
And so Priceline has, as always, become my best friend as my thrifty self tracks down good hotel rooms for (relatively) cheap prices.
Along the way, I have discovered that some hotels present their own learning curve.
Case in point: at the hotel I am staying in now, I have to put my key card into this little holder thingie to turn on the lights. I thought I could just put it in to activate the lights and then could take it out and go about my merry way. However, in about ten minutes of merry way-ness, all the lights went out on me.
I am not always the sharpest knife in the drawer but I did eventually figure out the card needs to stay in its little slot for the lights to work past ten minutes. So now I am feeling rather worldly-wise in knowing how this whole fancy lighting process works.
One thing about the room that is not quite as complicated is that its window overlooks nothing but trees. There are few things that make me happier in a hotel than seeing nature outside my window instead of a busy, noisy road.
As I opened the drapes at 5:30 this morning to view the darkness-swathed trees, the thought came to my mind, “I am just waiting for the dawn.”
And the dawn arrived, just as it always does.
The Bible says in Lamentations 3:22-23,
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness
That is my prayer for Sarah today at the dawning of this new day. New mercies, new answers, new solutions, new hope.
How sweet of Taylor to bring you homecooked food! I’ve never heard of having to use your keycard to keep lights on in a hotel, but I guess it would save a lot of energy from people who leave the lights on when they leave their room.
Sending love and prayers to you all😘
Love those verses and as we prayed for Sarah this a.m., prayed that those infectious disease doctors would have wisdom to know what is going on with Sarah. Praying!!!
Prayers that the infectious disease specialists can determine what is causing the fevers and dropping platelet counts.
Wondering if the card for the lights is a way to reduce electricity costs. If you have to take the card with you when you leave, you can’t leave unnecessary lights on. I’ve never been in a hotel like that. It’s been almost 3 years since I retired so I’m not staying in hotels like I was then.
Does Duke have any rooms for out of town visitors?
Phyllis,
I’ve never heard of any rooms at Duke for out-of-town visitors. It makes quite a difference when one person can’t stay overnight. That may just be because of COVID right now.
Still praying for all of you and especially for a fast, accurate diagnosis, an easy treatment and a quick, complete recovery for Sarah.
Hugs, prayers and blessings,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Continuing to pray for Sarah and your family.
Praying for Sarah and all of you as the doctors search for answers to help her feel well again.
Love,
Heather
Praying for healing. Praying for the infectious disease doctors’ brain power.
Praying, praying, PRAYING for resolution and His perfect healing. There’s a WEDDING in the offing!
Hope the doctors will find answers
Love that verse. I wish I lived in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Carboro because then you could stay at my place. Thank you for the update on Sarah. Y’all are in my prayers, of course. *hug*
Brooke,
Awwww. What a sweet thing to say.
Thank you for the update. Wish I could give you a hug in person. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Continuing to pray that they find some answers soon and are able to get Sarah feeling much better!
That is a wonderful verse to keep in mind .
Ruth
Praying for answers soon and an easy fix. Sarah has been through too much. Prayers that she can feel good to enjoy her wedding plans.
My dad was sick with fevers. Infectious disease docs couldn’t find anything. It took 2 months to come up with a diagnosis of Myelodysplastic syndrome that was probably caused by cancer treatment 20 years before.
Keeping up the prayers for Sarah and all of you.
Petrina,
Thankful the doctors were able to come up with a diagnosis for your dad even though it wasn’t one you wanted to hear. It’s good to know something for a fact rather than wonder about a hundred possibilities. I know some cases can be so very puzzling.
Glad Sarah managed a little something to eat. Bless her, she must be so eager to feel well again and get out into the world to enjoy her pre-wedding days.
I first came across that keycard/lights arrangement in Lisbon, Portugal a few years back. I’m sure I’d NEVER have worked it out! luckily I was with one of my daughters who did… eventually!
With love and thoughts as always xxx
Our continued prayers for Sarah, the family and of course, Gage. We have seen such happiness and love between she and Gage and are amazed at the strength they walk in at such a hard time. They’re journey through theses things together show their gratefulness of the blessings and display such faith and hope. We love you guys! ❤️
Available. Just let us know how or what we can do.
Joy,
Yes, there is so much happiness and love between the two of them; it always makes me happy to see them together, planning (through complicated times) a wonderful future together.
I’m so glad to see that Sarah is feeling perkier. Hoping this new day brings answers and a plan.
I have never seen one of those card for lights things….great idea! I’m sure that it saves massive amounts of electricity. That would be a great thing to have in homes. lol
Have a good peace-filled day.
Happy to hear that Taylor and Tiffany are there for you and Sarah. Continuing to pray for answers, wisdom and discernment for medical staff, peace in the waiting, safe travels back to Manteo.
Good Morning Dear Becky & Family, We are so happy that Sarah is feeling a little better and getting fluids and magnesium. Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to keep us informed during this very difficult time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers throughout each day. Love, Fred & Lucy
Much love, many prayers, waiting with you. ❤️🌄
Love, Deb
Thank you for taking the time to write this update, Becky. I am continuing to pray for Sarah, for all of you who love her, and for all those who are caring for her.
So thankful for God’s fresh mercies for you—and all of us—today.
Praying that you get some plans today to start the healing process. Thank you for all the updates.
So peculiar that all of this is going on in tandem with the abdominal tumor. Answers sure would be great. Ongoing prayers and love.
Oh, that first light, and first rustles of wings are an especially sacred time. (Unless you have some really squawky birds, which I have had experience with!)
My prayer is that today brings hope, answers and mercy, to you all.
Praying for Sarah to feel better today and answers for what is going on. I would have been as confused as you with the light issue.
I love seeing trees outside my hotel room windows. 🙂 Better than parking lots or roofs of nearby shopping centers!
That key-card thing – I first discovered those in London. I was perplexed, I tell you! (Any card will work, if you want to leave the room and leave the lights on while you’re gone…) 🙂
So good to hear Sarah is a bit perkier. Prayers up for diagnosis & plan, peace.
Thank you so much for updating us so regularly. It helps guide my prayers for Sarah and for all of you! What a blessing your local friends are to provide meals and support!
His mercies are new every morning… one of my favorites and what a wonderful way to approach the new day.
Blessings,