Latest

The latest word is that they are going to wait until next week to do another echocardiogram to make a final determination on whether or not it is fungal, bacterial or a clot on her heart. It is most likely fungal, but there's always a possibility that it is one of the other two. I am hoping that their suspicions are wrong.

ONE REQUEST...Jen (or anyone for that matter) is not fully aware of the situation yet, I have picked up from her doctors that they are unwilling to discuss a definite prognosis until they are sure...so please keep that in mind when you talk with her. We are trying to keep her thinking positive, after all there is a good chance that she can pull through all of this and head toward a positive direction...let's all keep thinking about that.

From bad...to worse

The spot on Jen's heart appears to be a fungal infection of the tricuspid valve. I can't tell you how bad this news is, her prognosis is not good. I've stopped researching it for the day because it's too much to bear at the moment.

Because of her fragile state, they most likely will not try to remove the infection surgically, but try to control it with medication. I was looking into new research in this area and found little.

The best thing at this point would be to go ahead with the gastroectomy when she is more stable. The infection attacks through open areas, such as the PICC line site, and she has been at increased risk because of the TPN which is damaging her liver. If she can eat again or use the J-tube then they can remove that line, and her risk of infection reduces and she will hopefully get healthier...though this fungal infection will most likely never be killed off.

Please see her if you can, or call her. You can email me to find out the room number.

Shit

J has had a bad couple of weeks. She has fought off 3 infections now successfully but I was told today that an echocardiogram revealed a spot in her heart which may be a clot, or a fungal growth. I am hoping it is a clot as it is easier to remove according to the doctor. His opinion is that it is a clot as she is not showing the side effects normally associated with a fungal growth.

She has also suddenly developed a strange rheumatoid arthritis-like condition where all of her joints hurt. This is probably a side effect of the last infection, and since they have started to give her an anti-inflammatory she has regained some movement back. This should be a temporary condition.

Too scattered (read: angry, depressed, fuckealkfjlakjflakf) to write in more detail, sorry.