Main Page • John's Journal (2000-2003) • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

April 28th, 2006

 

“The LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.”

 

Psalm 32:10

 

Today was a tough, long day.   Since there is a small possibility that I may be infected with the Norwalk Virus, I have had to stay in my room, isolated, all day.   I do not do well in these types of situations.   I am going stir crazy.   My big outing was at 3 pm when I went to have a second round of scopes done on my lower and upper GI Tracts.   Thank goodness for the great medication Verced, which makes these procedures a piece of cake.   The reason for doing these scopes again was to allow the doctors here at the UW to have a first hand look.   They are much more trained at locating problems, such as GVHD, because they work with so many more cases of it.   I hope to get results back from these tests soon.   One of the goals was to take some biopsies from a certain area of my stomach where GVHD tends to be found if present.   The team of doctors and nurses that performed today's procedure was great.   My main concern was they scoped the upper GI tract before the lower GI tract…for obvious reasons.   (They use the same scope for both ends.)  

 

I met with the infectious disease team again today and they sent my pathology specimens to the state lab, which means it could be a few more days until they can rule out the Norwalk Virus.   Their concern is that even though I don't have the Norwalk symptoms like most people do, they have seen cases of longer lasting strains particularly in immunosuppressed patients, such as myself.   That is why they are not ruling it out completely.   The doctors were sympathetic to my concern of having to stay isolated in my hospital room for several more days.   So we arranged to have a stationary bike brought down to my room and they will allow me to take some walks outside during the day to keep my attitude positive.

 

 

 

 

 

Just to let people know what I am going through with this diarrhea I thought I'd make a little illustration:

 

 

 

I am continually thankful for everything everyone has been doing for my family and me.   Your prayers and other forms of support have been amazing.   You are all such a huge blessing and an example of God's awesome love.

 

Despite the challenges of the day in isolation, my spirit and determination to get through this remain strong.   Like my closing quote below says:

 

“What seems too difficult for us is a sure sign that it belongs to God.”

Marie DePree

 

May you all continue to Live Strong In Him!!

 

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