August 1

[SuperDragon]

We stayed the night at the hospital and got up to find out today that he was up to 106 degrees. There was an "infectious diseases" doctor that came in and looked at his rashes and said he was a little more convinced that it was a heat rash rather than a drug rash, but the nurses and other doctors still aren't sure. None of the blood cultures came back with infections, and apparently he had what they called shock liver, but that area is ok now. They haven't found the source of infection yet. I just got home, just to eat a little and tell you all this. Anyways, with Tylenol and a bunch of cold rags and ice packs and things my mom got his temp down to 103, and then as we returned to the hospital earlier today from coming home to check on things, he was down to 101.7, that being without ice. That's where we stand so far, just still trying to figure out infection cause, while all the pressures and numbers look normal now.

Steve

 

[Granbonny]

Many thanks again for posting

Many thanks again for posting

Steve, I hope you have had a chance to read the many posts from your Dad's dear friends. I hope his fever stays down..Will pray more tonight with our circle of friends. Bonnie

 

[hensylee]

The circle is definitely in place with all hands joined. The top of this mountain is harder to reach than any we have had in a very long time, but it can be done.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Steve-

My husband has had a couple of incidents of extremely high temperatures.

The first one happened soon after his mitral valve repair surgery and was caused by "serum sickness", diagnosed by the Infectious disease specialists. That one started with hives, then progressed to include a rash which eventually settled on his joints, and caused a lot of pain and stiffness. It was a Type III hypersensitivity reaction to the antibiotic Ancef which is used during thoracic surgeries. Joe was never allergic to that in prior surgeries, so it could not have been avoided. He recovered from that. They put him on steroids for a while.

The last one happened a couple of weeks ago. His temp. soared to 106.7 in the ER and he had a fine rash. He stayed in the hospital for 8 days. They ran all kinds of cultures and tests. Nothing showed up. They put him on heavy duty antibiotics, though. So it's a total unknown.

I think when you have multiple medical problems like your dad and my husband, your body reacts in a sort of "hyper" way to every issue.

I'm glad to hear that your dad's temp seems to be working itself out.

God love you all,

 

[JenniferO]

Steve:

Maybe it was your mom's tender loving care and having his family nearby that helped bring Ross' temperature down.

Hang on.

 

[EVELYN]

HE STEVE....WE ARE SO GLAD TO HEAR THE NEWS OF THE TEMP BREAK IN YOUR DAD. HOPEFULLY EVERY DAY AFTER THIS WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF THE GOOD TIMES FOR HIM, YOU GUYS, AND ALL WHO LOVE HIM.

ACTUALLY, WE GOT HOME LAST NIGHT FROM A BARRY MANILOW ( I KNOW, HE'S OLD, BUT SO ARE WE!!!!) CONCERT, AND THE FIRST THING I DID WAS GO ON THE COMPUTER TO SEE HOW HE WAS DOING.....I'M SURE YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH WE NEED YOUR POSTS. I FOR ONE KNOW I CHECK AT LEAST 4 TIMES A DAY. BTW, THE CONCERT WAS AWESOME AND TYCE HAD ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEM WITH THE STAIRS, DINNER OUT, ETC.....ALL THAT AND ONLY 5 WEEKS POST OP.

PLEASE TELL ROSS WE LOVE HIM AND THE PRAYERS ARE CONTINUING.

EVELYN AND TYCE

 

[Mb]

HOORAY! THIS IS REALLY GREAT NEWS.....REALLY THE FIRST REALLY GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK!

The temp coming down I am certain is a very good step. Now, lets see what happens. Come on Ross, we are all pulling for you!

Great job!

Marybeth

 

[srwieland]

It's great the way you guys are hanging in there with Ross. TLC is always the best medicine.

 

[BECKY]

Hang in there

Hang in there

Steve,

We are all pulling for your Dad. The drop in his fever is Really Great news!!

I'm praying for better news every day!!

Love and Prayers,
Becky

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the update. Continuing our circle of prayers for your Dad's complete recovery.

If it's any consolation, I had fever post op and did not have an infection. You have to imagine the body goes through a great shock. Even more so with subsequent surgeries.

Looking good that you are able to bring the fever down manually. Hopefully it will subsided shortly.

Take care

 

[Lorraine]

HiSteve,

Was very glad to read your post. Yea! The fever's coming down! Thats great news. We will continue to keep Ross, your Mom, you and the rest of your family in our circle of prayers. Hang in there!

 

[joy]

Hi Steve, I am also one of the people who check in to see how Ross is doing. He has a large circle of friends here who check in every day,a nd pray and are pulling for him. He'll be surprised to read all these posts of all of us that are pulling for him. We are here for you and for your family and whatever you guys need! Keep your head high, and we'll keep praying!

 

[Bill Hall]

Steve - 106 is pretty high. Glad to see it has come down. Of course that is almost 24 hours ago. Please keep us posted. I'm sure Ross will enjoy going back and reading these posts when his ordeal is over.

 

[joy]

Hi Steve, just thought I would check in to see if there was anything new happening. I find myself thinking about your family so much...I'm listening to a song alled "yellow" by Cold play. Kevin(my husband) first heard this song when I was in the hospital the first time. It makes me sad, but this time, I thought of Ross. I am very worried about him. I know how it is to wake up after being in a "coma" after this long. He'll have to basically relearn how to do everything. It's good that he has family and he'll probably have to go through physical therapy, as well. I can't say I know how it feels to be you, the loved one, but I know it is hard to be the patient. Keep talking to Ross...he can hear you. the best thing you can do is reassure him. He'll be fine, we're all here pulling for him.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

HANG IN THERE

HANG IN THERE

Yikes 106...REALLY glad to hear that you folks brought that down. I think sometimes the fevers are a mystery, and in the hospital it's easy to assume 'infection.'

HANG IN THERE, ROSS! I'M PULLING AS HARD AS I CAN!

 

[hensylee]

With no word from Steve yesterday, I called the hospital and, of course, got the same as others who have called. Still in ICU and 'guarded'.

I also asked if, when Ross is in a room, could they receive emails for him. I had done this when my cousin had valveraplacement and bypass and the hospital was happy to deliver her a greeting from me every single day. But this hospital has no such service for its patients. We better get on the ball and start sending cards so he will truly know we are pulling for him. A 'chain' of cards will probably help the family, too. We all know that they are under terrible strain and stress.

 

[Nancy]

I sent copies of all, or at least all of the posts prior to the trache tube insertion. It was quite a packet, but thought Ross and his family would like to read them when he's awake and able to understand.