Last week little Will’s grandpa got to meet his first grandchild, who is almost five months old.
When Ralph arrived from Germany, he also got to be reunited with his wife Astrid, his daughter Ann Sophie, and his son-in-law Nelson. It’s difficult to understand what’s happening in the little apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, from 4300 miles away in Europe.
But now Ralph has adjusted to the medically-oriented lives of his loved ones and how things work at the Mayo Clinic. Like the rest of us, he’s learning that by the process of elimination, doctors figure out what something isn’t, before they determine what it is. And this process can be frustrating for all of us.
Last week, Nelson’s vomiting and diarrhea had increased to epic proportions. Doctors thought it might be a response to trace remnants of the chemotherapy drugs mixing with the new immunotherapy drugs. Or it might have been Nelson’s reaction to the new immunotherapy as his system tried to switch from chemo to that.
They drew blood again (almost a daily occurrence) and finally discovered he had a bacterial infection of his digestive track, which was evidencing itself in the vomiting and diarrhea. Several days after he began antibiotics, though, the vomiting and diarrhea began decreasing—much to everyone’s relief, especially Nelson’s.
Throughout this time, he’s been taking the two pills daily that make up the targeted immunotherapy, and yesterday he spent time with the head oncologist on his case and another doctor. They were both pleased about where he is with the new therapy but will keep it at a half-dose for a while longer.
In meeting with pulmonology, they learned that about 150 milliliters of fluid are still “caught” in pockets at the bottom of his right lung. Though they tried to drain it out, the regular suction method failed. They may try to get it with a needle.
If they succeed, then they’ll also remove the catheter on that side and close up the wound. The left lung still needs draining daily, and Ann Sophie does that with excellence. It remains a mystery why the right lung had initially produced lots of fluid and now has dried up, while the left lung, which hadn’t produced much for many weeks, now has more.
But that’s the way it is in the world of medicine. One issue gets sorted, but then another one appears. But we have faith in the doctors we’ve worked with thus far and have seen their expertise and determination in action. Their goal is to resolve Nelson’s cancer symptoms and the side effects from drugs until the immunotherapy and his own immune system can overwhelm the cancer. And what a happy day that will be!
“My Child, never forget the things I (the Lord) have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.” (Proverbs 3:1-2)
