This week just disappeared in hospital visits.
First out was the scheduled check-up in Bergen on Monday. We drove up from Tysnes on Sunday afternoon and spent the evening with Brita and Ketil. Later we parked the camper van in the hospital parking lot and had 5 minutes to walk to the doctor's office in the morning.
Sigve did all the blood tests, a bone marrow test and thorax x-rays. The 2 stitches from the removal of the Hickman catheter were also removed. So now he has to draw blood from his arm, at the regular lab, so no more VIP treatment!
There were no surprises this time either, since we already knew about the increased liver value levels. It was confirmed that he would be admitted to Haugesund Hospital for the liver biopsy on Wednesday. The raised levels could be caused by either a bacterial or viral infection and would be treated with the appropriate medication, or it could be an onset of Graft-Versus-Host disease. As a preliminary precaution the Sandimmun dosage was increased again, and if it's confirmed that that's what it is, the treatment will be a course of high dosage cortisone for a couple of weeks. The doctor repeated the info about GVH being a desired response to reducing the Sandimmun dosage, and also that those who have this response are better protected against the reappearance of the leukemia than those who don't. But it's a matter of a hairline balance of just enough and too much.
Monday in Bergen started off very foggy, but around midday, when we headed back to Tysnes, the fog burned off, and the sun came out. Along the way some amazing scenes appeared, with low fog over open water and the sun shining above.
As always when we drive, my camera was in my lap, ready for action. Sometimes I shout for Sigve to stop, and sometimes I just point and shoot out of the window.
Sigve was admitted to Haugesund hospital on Wednesday, and the biopsy was performed on Thursday morning. After a shot of local anesthetic, and guided by the ultra sound machine a hollow needle was shot into the liver, and came out again with the sample. Afterwords he had to lie still for an hour, and couldn't eat for 2 hours.
He was supposed to go home the same day, but they decided to keep him over to Friday to keep an eye out for possible hemorrhaging. The sample was sent to Bergen for analysis, and we expect to hear from the doctor when the results are ready.
Sigve has been wearing his new hearing aids for 2 weeks now, and they seem to be working out great. We don't have to shout at him, and he doesn't shout back. That was actually the first thing I noticed, that he started speaking in a much softer voice.
Tomorrow we go to Tysnes for the day. Can't wait to see Helmer again! Haven't seen him since Tuesday.
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| Watching sports with Granddad is serious business. |
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| Helmer started copying us when we stuck our tongues out at him :-) |
Today I'm so grateful for the excellent follow-up Sigve is getting from both Bergen and Haugesund Hospitals.
13 comments:
Wauuu Inger-M sikke nogle fantastiske billeder du har fået i kassen, hvor er de smukke.
Jeg krydser fingre for at tilbagemeldingerne fra lægen er gode.. :-)
Hvor er han da bare en skøn gut den lille Helmer.
Hav en dejlig søndag.
These shots are stunning, and brilliant!!!
I hope the treatments are successful, and not too painful!
My prayers are with your family. Thankful for good follow ups. Every photo you shared is beautiful but baby Helmer is the best! How adorable! And he's learned how to stick out his tongue! Cute!
The scenery in Norway is stunning, but your grandson takes the prize. How cute is that last picture. Seriously, though, I will keep you and your husband in my thoughts and prayers.--Inger
Sorry to hear there are more hospital visits, but at least you had some peaceful scenery along the way. And how cute is that baby?!
This is my first time for visiting your blog. Your photos are very inspirational and I pray healing upon your family. Little baby is cute as a button.
I hope your husband will have soon get better and that the results of the biopsy are good. Your grandson is adorable and quite a serious little guy. No wonder if he is watching football with his granddad. Your photos are great as all Norwegian pictures are. Thanks for sharing, and lots of strength with your husband's recovery! Have ax great week.
Sweet Inger, I am praying for good results for Sigve...that they will find the perfect balance of medication to keep his Leukemia in check. I love that in the midst of all the anxiety of going back and forth to the hospital for tests and biopsy you were able to capture moments of beauty with your camera. This is what I am constantly discovering too; when I come present to the moment though the beauty of the world, whether the face of a beloved (like your gorgeous grandson) or natures magnificence, I return to love and feel safe and blessed, and that everyone I love is also safe and blessed, if only for the space of that moment...all it well in the world.
I will be praying for your darling husband.
gentle steps my dear,
Laura
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I wish you a blessed week and a speedy recovery to your husband! My thoughts are with you, dear Inger!
Inger, Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband as he goes through treatment--hope all goes well. The shots you took as you were driving along are beautiful, and Helmer is just too cute.
The best wishes for recovery. What a blog you got. Looking forward to follow you.
I was so touched by these pictures and your story. ((hugs)) I am praying for your dear one's recovery.
Your photography is spectacular--many of your pictures just fill my eyes--which is the greatest compliment I can give.
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