Off Limits

Back in July, when Cathy became aware of this blog, she made me promise that I would not mention certain topics. One of the things that she put off limits were topics that would betray her modesties. In keeping with that promise, there have been some details that I have not, and will not, put in this blog. However, in order to set the tone and describe this morning's events, I must move very close to the line.

During the past few days I have described a slow deterioration of Cathy's physical strength. I have also alluded to a somber shift in her mental attitude. One manifestation of the deterioration in her strength and a big part of her 'somberness' has been an inability for her to take care of her own 'personal needs' (I cannot get any closer to the line that that). Put together her loss in strength, her inability to walk even the shortest distances, her inability to take care of herself, and being told that there is nothing more that can be done except make her comfortable, and it is understandable that she is in a mental funk (another off-limits topic).

This morning one of the pulmonary care physicians (transplant team) came by Cathy's room. This doctor had a comment that was precisely opposite of the doctor's comments on Wednesday.

"I think we can help".

During the past few days, along with Cathy's decreased strength, her lower extremities have swollen up like a balloon. Apparently this issue and Cathy's loss in strength are kinda like the chicken and egg thing: which one came first, which is the cause and which is the effect?

After confirmation of good liver functions (or is it the kidney?), they are going to aggressively go after the swelling - water retention. They need to check the kidney's function (or is it the liver?) because the treatment, lasix, in high dosages can damage the liver (or kidney).

Cathy was given something positive to hope for. The next couple days will tell - was it the chicken or was it the egg?