New Shauna update from Caring Bridge site

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http://www3.caringbridge.org/nc/shauna/index.htm

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Tuesday, November 23, 2004 12:30 PM EST

Dear All,

Here is the latest update from Ken in the SICU waiting room:

Regarding the infection(s), it was confirmed that Shauna did have a

staph infection. There might also be others, but it will take longer

to find that out for sure. The initial tests conducted this morning

came back clear, though there is no " guarantee " that all the

infection is gone. Shauna has been on the broad spectrum antibiotics

now for 48 hours, and so based on this, and on today's initial clear

tests, Dr. Tuttle feels that the infection situation is under enough

control that if a *good liver* is offered, they are inclined to go

ahead with a transplant. The doctors are of course hoping for the

best, strongest liver possible for her. Please focus your thoughts

and prayers on this as well!

Other developments: as of 10 pm last night they started tube feeding

Shauna with Nutrihep (the one bright spot about the tube is that it

delivers the Nutrihep directly to her intestines, and so at least she

doesn't have to choke down that icky stuff anymore). They are right

now getting started with dialysis to clean out her kidneys. They have

also brought in the " skin people " to closely examine the weeping

sores on her feet and lower legs to make sure there is no fungal

infection there, and have started her on some anti-fungal meds as a

precaution.

I'd like to add one clarification regarding the issue of acute liver

failure and " status one " liver patients -- acute failure requires

that someone moves rapidly (in 12 to 18 months) from a state of

relative health to liver failure. Because Shauna's liver has been

failing for so long now, this will never be the case for her. As one

friend put it, she's already too low to fall very far. She is however

very much in a state of liver failure.

On a personal note -- after having to swallow the bitter pill of

another rejected liver Sunday night, when I found out yesterday that

she did have a hidden infection, it did seem as if this rejected

liver was in fact a blessing in disguise. If Shauna had been

transplanted with that staph infection untreated, the post-transplant

immunosuppression drugs would have allowed it to rage unchecked, and

in her weakened state, this might have been fatal. So, we remain

convinced that Shauna is being watched over by someone or something

much wiser than us.

Much love, Katy>>

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Wife of Fred, PSC, 3/04