3/31

Happy Easter, everyone. We are here visiting with John. Michael and Meredith are leaving shortly to get home to Boston; Zacc and Sharon are here for the next few days. Sharon (graduating in May as a speech pathologist) brought along an electronic spelling board so I am anxious to see if that is easier for John to use to communicate with us. John is getting a little more vent support; he can breathe on his own but his CO2 levels build up and make him tired eventually. So, for now he is getting a little rest by letting the vent do a little more of the work. His distended belly problem appears to have been functional. He's been on so many drugs that slow down the GI tract, they have built up and will take a while to clear. In the meantime, his tube feedings have been increased and everything seems to be making the appropriate noises and working well. The antibiotics for the pseudomonas infection are still running. His doctor said he will probably discontinue those drugs tomorrow so his pseudomonas does not become resistant. The pressor was only on for a short time yesterday; it was turned off after less than an hour so that is not considered a relapse of any kind. At the same time, the nurses have begun withdrawing more fluid through the continuous dialysis and he is still doing fine maintaining his own blood pressure. The steroid dose has been decreased while the tacrolimus has been restarted. So far, no signs of gvhd as the levels of the immunosuppressant medications continue to be adjusted. John's doctors are careful to remind us (every day) that he is very critically ill. Still, he is much better than he was a week ago and I'm hoping to be able to tell you that he is even better next weekend. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.