Slow But Sure

Donna continues to make progress.  She is eating a little more almost every day and adding some variety.  She might even be ready for some of those recipes y'all sent for her last week very soon.  For now, she is sticking to a bland diet and slowing introducing new foods.  Her digestive system isn't quite ready for full meals, but she's doing great with yogurts, fruit, protein shakes, and some soups.   We're hoping that we can introduce more solids soon, foods such as chicken (no beef at this point) and other softer type of meats and solids.  

Medically, she's basically about the same.  The TTP is still, as the doctor put it, "active."  I am not sure the full scope of "active," but I am assuming that means they haven't really controlled it yet.  Additionally, the kidneys are still in stage 5 failure, but they are stable.  While I was there I questioned the nephrologist about the kidneys.  I was told that even though Donna's kidneys are considered stage 5 failure, they are working at some level and the doctors remain encouraging that as Donna moves more (walks) her body will move more fluid off.  

Speaking of walking, Donna is still doing well with that.  In fact, Joel had a long talk with one of her primary physicians and there is a new plan of care for Donna.  Between the nurses and the physical therapist, Donna will now get up 4 times a day to walk.   For now, she is restricted to getting out of bed with the help of a nurse or therapist only.   We are hoping that she will gain enough strength soon that we, the caregivers, will be able to get her out of bed so that she can get up and move more often.  However, she also was given some new exercises yesterday that she can do for her upper body while she is in bed or sitting in the chair.  All of this will help improve her strength to the point that she can get up with the help of a caregiver or even alone.  

That's about all there is to report.  Yesterday was treatment #2 of the once a week, 4-week Rituximab treatment, which takes 4 hours to infuse so there really wasn't much happening for Donna yesterday.

Reminder:  If you live close enough to Durham to make a day trip and would like to sign up for a day to be caregiver for Donna, please contact Jan (her email address is in the post entitled "A Call For Help.")  Again, this can be for just 1 day or if you are able to spend more than 1 day, there is an apartment available.  It is a fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment (a full size bed in each bedroom) with a sleeper sofa and 2 full bathrooms, so it can accommodate quite a few people.  At one point, the family had 10 people staying there...I don't recommend that unless you really, really, REALLY love the people you are staying with; even then it can get a little hairy!!  LOL   

As of right now, we have the week of Jan 25-31 covered.  As Donna's stay at Duke is indefinite at this point, we would like to plan as far ahead in the future as possible to have caregivers with her on a daily basis.  

Being her "caregiver" at this point doesn't require anything physical.  The nurses and therapists are the ones who help her in and out of bed.  She just needs people who can sit with her, visit with her, and maybe get her something to eat or drink throughout the day.  The most important job of the caregiver right now is to be her encouragement and cheerleader!