I am back here with Liz in the SICU. Yesterday we thought Liz would move to Huntsman, but they were concerned about elevated white blood cell count and continued fluids in her abdomen. Doctors kept her here in SICU. I wasn't here after 9am so I was not as helpful or informative. I slept a few hours at home to try to make up for the long night before. (I was with Liz from 9pm Tues to 6:30 am Wed, then slept till 9am, then home.)
Today they are doing more blood work, and her WBC is up again. Liver numbers are also still a concern. A team tried for blood cultures but couldn't get a vein to work. (It has to be a new stick for those; they want fresh area so any existing line's possible contamination is ruled out, so her port and IV aren't good for this.) Liz is still very sleepy from pain meds. Last night we let nurses take care of her and got some sleep. I heard she tried a couple more times to get out of bed, and to pull on lines. They restrained her so she won't hurt herself. She has gotten more fluids and they watch urine output too. On a positive note, she has passed some gas, so her bowels are getting more active again. She is more likely to drink, eat, or leave this unit. It may be up to us to decide if she stays here or moves to Huntsman on the fifth floor.
Phil said she has metabolic acidosis yesterday. Ann, the nurse, explained it that her pH is lower than normal: it is 7.2 instead of 7.4 or 7.5. Correcting it is usually done by giving fluids, which in Liz's case is not easy to handle. Giving her any antacids won't help... yes, I asked. :) Her body is trying to compensate, which throws off other elements.
At this point we don't know if or when she will be up to either a wedding, a temple experience, or a reception. We hope in the next few days she will progress and be able to help us decide how to proceed. We thank all of you for your expressions of love and support and offers to help. If we figure out any way we will let you know.
Tracy
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