Another day at Batson:
Maggie continues to fight off the UTI – slowly. With fever spikes last night and this evening, her team decided to switch to a different antibiotic – from Rocephin to Levaquin. We’re hoping this one does the trick. It’s not that she feels overly sick – she’s really been perky at times – we just want to see her fever stay under control and know her body is winning. Apparently when we came to the ER Tuesday night she was just in the beginning stages of sepsis. We’re extremely relieved we overcame the desire to take a wait and see approach at home (we toyed with the idea of delaying until Wednesday morning in order to avoid the adult ER as we learned during our previous ER visit she had aged out of Children’s ER). By getting here when we did, we caught the infection before it became a bigger issue. I think I finally realized the precarious nature of infections at this point when, yesterday morning, we spent an hour or so thinking we might be heading the wrong direction in her response to treatment as her blood pressure started slipping a bit. Quick action by her team to flush a large bolus of fluids, twice, reversed the trend and allowed her to keep her spot on 3C. (Two pumps were working simultaneously at maximum rate to deliver the fluids – a sight to see). Since then, her blood pressure has returned and remained at a healthy level.
We’re planning to stay on through the weekend and knock out the second round of chemo. The original plan was to come Monday morning to the clinic for a two day admission. We like the idea of starting while we’re already settled in a room. If all goes well, we should start chemo Saturday and return home Monday upon completion. Our prayer is for her infection to respond to antibiotics, here pain to remain under control once she gets weaned from the PCA, and for her to receive maximum benefit/minimum side effects from chemo. We should be adding a fourth component to the regimen – one of the targeted therapies or “mab” drugs.
Maggie had one other issue to pop up during this admission. I think I mentioned she had a chest X-ray to nail down the cause of her chest pain on Monday during our scheduled visit for blood counts. The main cause of pain is believed by her team (oncologist and surgeon) to be a 2 cm lung tumor (not a new one but one that recently started growing again) putting pressure on her sternum (at the sight she had her sternotomy for lung resection surgery). She also has a pleural effusion (fluid in the lung) on the right side. It’s not insignificant but is not large enough to contribute much to her discomfort and shortness of breath upon activity. So, after discussion with both doctors, we’ve decided to let this situation work itself out – that’s our hope and prayer. We’ll continue to keep an eye on it for any change in status.
That’s quite a list of prayer requests but we’re up to the task, aren’t we? We continue to be thankful for the staff at Batson. We not only feel Maggie is getting the best care possible. We also enjoy the people. It feels like a family. They anticipate Maggie’s needs, make us laugh, value our input in her care, and place her comfort and healing as the number one priority. God is here among His servants, and we sense that constantly. And God is working in those praying fervently for us. Thank you! I don’t want to wear you out with updates but want to keep you as up to date as possible. I’ll post again with any significant information. Goodnight.
You are not wearing us out!!! When you don’t post everyday, I go inwithdrawals!! Maggie is always on my lips in prayer!!! Hugs and love and much conversation with God!!!!
Thankful that you went in time to catch this infection. Praying fervently for each of you. Praying that the chemo attacks the cancerous cells, and that Maggie is relieved of all pain. Love you all.
I know things are really stressful. But I know God will heal Maggie in his own time. We know He is the Great Physician & all is possible through Him. I will continue to pray for Maggie & we know with all the prayers that are being lifted up He hears them all. ?
Praying fervently for each need you mentioned ?? Never feel like you are sressing your prayer warriors with updates. Warriors are called by God and honored to be a part of the battle!
I am up to the task….up to it at 2:40 am and every moment really. Maggie is a constant thought and prayer. I love her so!
Praying earnestly.
Thank you for the update on Maggie. I will praise our God for the points of improvements and seek God’s blessings on Maggie to heal and restore her as she begins the second round of chemo. My prayer for Maggie and her family is for peace, strength, trust, and healing.
Please don’t ever think your wear us out with updates!! We appreciate you updating us!! Prayers for all of you. ??????
Prayers always going up for Maggie. I look for your updates everyday. Praying for the day your update says cancer free! I know our Lord holds each and everyone of you. Praying for all??
Agree with everyone else. We need to hear from you concerning all concerns . It’s an honor to pray about every little and big thing that happens . Just know that we all think about you and everyone in the family throughout each day. So, we pray ! You write !
Remembering Maggie and family…
Praying for Maggie continually and the family
Thank you so much for the updates. We are praying without ceasing for all of you everyday.
Lifting you guys up in prayers, so thankful that God has no limits on our requests, rest in that–He can certainly handle them all without blinking an eye–so thankful for His presence in your caregivers there–God is in control even though it is hard to see His plan in it sometimes–prayers for peace and rest and some joy mixed in!–Love you guys
Continued prayers from the Rigel prayers. Thanks for the update.
Maggie is constantly in my prayers.
Praying!
Thanks for updates. It helps me to know how to specifically pray ?
Continuing to pray for your sweet Maggie!! Thanks for updates because we know how to prayer specifically.
Praying …
Praying for Maggie and family – to the ONE WHO is the STABILITY of our times (Isaiah 33:6) and the SUSTAINER of our souls (Psalm 54:4).
Continuing to pray for healing
Praying maximum benefits and minimum side effects.
Thank you for letting us in on
hills and valleys w this path God is leading! Praying His power and strength for Maggie.
Updates are always welcome. Thanking God with you for the Batson family. A great blessing indeed at such trying times. Our hearts cry out to the Great Physician for Maggie. God bless you all physically, spiritually and emotionally. ?????
I thank you for allowing us to be a part of this journey through your blog. I pray for Maggie and your family every day. I rejoice when you rejoice and cry when you cry. You’re such a witness to true faith in our God, His promises, and His love.
PRAYERS CONTINUED DAILY!
Thank you for updating us and letting us be part of this journey!!!! We will continue to pray that God will supply all your needs!!!! “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us”. Ephesians 3:20…….Much love from The Mills Family!