I am behind in my posting as we have had a busy couple of weeks and some additional challenges with Tom’s health. After we sent Tom’s blood work and PSMA test results to Doctor Kulkarni in Germany in preparation for our next trip this month and an actinium treatment, we received an email from him stating that they were sorry but they could not do the treatment as Tom’s platelet count was too low. We had not been monitoring his blood platelets and so had not noted that they had dropped significantly. Dr, Collingridge became involved and required more blood testing and then when the count dropped to 10, he told us we needed to get to emergency for a blood and platelet transfusion. It was Thursday afternoon before Good Friday and Cindy suggested we go the Surrey Memorial hospital. She came with us and got us on our way, to the point where I could only go on with Tom. We were finally admitted for care and put into an emergency private room. It was after midnight before the the first of two bags of blood were given to him and one bag of platelets. That is a total of 5 hours of transfusions or essentially the whole night. Liza and Keaton drove down that evening and stayed at our house. I spent the night with Tom and they said they wanted him to remain so they could monitor his count. Liza came to the hospital to stay with Tom during the afternoon and Keaton and I returned home so I could have a sleep. I returned later for the evening and Cindy then came in to stay the night. Tom’s platelets stayed up and in the morning, now Saturday, when I returned, they discharged him. Their emergency is huge and was very busy and they didn’t want Tom staying in longer than necessary and getting sick. He seemed to be feeling better with his blood boost. Brendon and the other Burgess children had now driven down to spend Easter with us. They were all good and helped with yard work and planting a new bush in the front to replace one that died through the winter. We loved having some different meals prepared for us. Liza stayed a couple of days after her family left and then drove back by herself. We really appreciate all the children and grandchildren and their attentiveness and help.
We were busy this week dealing with all that we seem to need to deal with. We went to the Temple to do a session. I cannot hold Tom back. We got blood tests and they determined toward the end of the week that his platelet count was extremely low again and we went back into the hospital, this time to Langley, to receive more platelets. We anticipate that we may need to do this twice a week but have to get some kind of schedule going. The doctors seem to want to establish that schedule too. His tummy has been so upset and limiting his eating that the specialist wants to give him an endoscopy to check things out but we have to have his platelets up to accomplish that. Nothing happens without the platelets up. We went for a blood test today, which is Sunday, in order to evaluate the platelets and qualify for another infusion before Wednesday when the endoscopy is scheduled. Trevor is on his way to be with us this week but he forgot his passport and it has to be couriered to him in Bellingham before he can get here. We need his help this week. This path is not for the faint of heart. Tom is tired, weak and losing weight as a result of his diminished appetite. He wants me to drive now and we only put our energy into appointments and the Temple. He served as the sealer at the Temple yesterday afternoon and truly gives his all. I do my best to monitor him.
So many people are so kind and so many are praying for us. We feel it and it lifts and carries us.
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