The Logan Update: 1/17/2011

I didn't go to CHO today. It's just so hard to get there with Brady in tow day in and day out. I want to be with Logan; it makes me sad to miss out on time with him. But prayerfully, there will be much more time in the future for us.

Logan's still running fevers on and off, but they've not been peaking nearly as high as the 104 he hit in the ER on Saturday. So I'm pleased with that. They were also able to isolate the bacterium that caused the infection, and it is indeed the same one he had last cycle, so he's been on the correct antibiotic all along. So praises for that, too. His hemoglobin and platelets were both lower than expected this morning at 6.5 and 15 respectively, so they re-drew and re-ran the numbers a few hours later. They came back at 7 and 16, so he received blood. (And his afternoon company, Adam's brother Eric and his fiancee Emily -- thanks guys! -- noted a substantial difference in his energy level once the blood got goin'. So I'll take the opportunity to thank everyone who donates blood and ask once again that anyone who's able please give when you can!) We're not sure why he didn't get platelets as well since 16 is very low, but assume that they're on tap for tomorrow.

The eyebrow-raiser from the second draw came in the form of the WBC: After being at less than .1 the first time, the second number came back at .2. Adam is skeptical, since just hours earlier, he had a zero-count, but as he also noted, there is a defined point in time when recovery begins, so the draws could've just been positioned around that time. We're taking it with a grain of salt, but it would be amazingly encouraging if he actually did begin his recovery process today, on day 14 of cycle 5. I'll find out for sure tomorrow morning when I head over to the hospital.

The other subject to touch on is the rubbing sound the doctors hear around his heart. So far, an EKG, chest x-ray and echocardiogram have all come back -- unofficially -- normal. A cardiologist is going to review the results and the scans as well, though. If there is an infection, it means a longer-term date with an antibiotic is on tap. If not, it could be the result of dehydration. There's a lot of unsettling uncertainty surrounding this issue, so please pray for it. I still think it's enough that he has cancer without having to worry about his heart, too.

On the positive side, his attitude and energy levels are both improved over yesterday and the day before, so praises for those things.

I think that's about it for now. Please keep praying for complete healing for Logan. For reduction in fever, for curing of his infection, for his heart. For patience and perseverance for us. For everything that God knows we need to get through this. Thanks for being a part of Logan's team. Blessings to you all.