December 23, 2005

Today I feel as though we have taken a step backward. In some ways it has been an interesting day. I have talked with Dr. DiPaola and his residents many times, as well as Mary in the Middle. Leah had a fever during the night last night and has had one much of the day. After looking at the calendar (while I wasn't sleeping last night) I realized that the fevers seem to have something to do with the Vincristine doses she gets. When we arrived on Monday night (Dec 12) Leah's fever that she had at home was magically gone. She never had another fever until they administered Vincristine, right before we were supposed to be discharged. Suddenly Leah develops a fever and we are staying longer. Her fever spiked to its highest level two nights after she had Vincristine. The same trend seems to be occurring this week, which means that Leah's fever should spike tonight, or maybe has today sometime. I am having the nurses print this information out for Dr. Goldman, who rounds tomorrow. I do really want to come home, but also really don't want to risk making decisions about her health that the doctors need to be making. So, I have reserved a room in the Rossi House in the event that we are here for Christmas and Chris and Chloe will come down. Santa will have to visit Iowa City if that happens. While it is not like home, Christmas this year will not be "normal" for us no matter where we celebrate.

The doctors are trying to determine the source of these fevers, and are trying to cover all their bases. We continue to get the reassurance that they feel there is no real source of infection, but because her symptoms persist they continue to look at various things. Today we had a chest X-ray that Leah hated. (It seems the more people touch her and she has different things done to her, the more agitated she becomes). I also met with another doctor who is an infectious disease expert so he could go over her charts and see if there is a pattern to her fevers. He also looked at her and determined that she does look well, aside from the fevers she runs. He is planning on meeting with Dr. Goldman tomorrow to discuss Leah with him. We have heard that it is very rare to run a fever with Vincristine, yet Leah's condition is very rare.

Suzanne came again today since she had the day off. Lis also visited and the two of them went out to eat and brought supper back for me. Leah has not felt well all day. She has slept a lot and not had much energy. Her appetite is not good right now, either, and we try to encourage as much eating as possible.

Last night was quite lonely on our floor. Tonight there are a few more patients, although they are working hard to get as many people discharged for the holidays as possible.

Continue to pray for Leah and for much healing to occur for her.