Quick Update in Understanding the Unthinkable

Just a quick note to let you all know that my brother is not out of the woods (lung biopsy tomorrow, endoscopy on Wednesday) but the “super oxygen” and “super antibiotics” (vico-something) has helped and he is feeling MUCH better: smiling, far less pain, good color, etc.

When I saw him yesterday, I was afraid he was going to die within days. Part of my e-mail yesterday:

“We went to Tampa today to see [Brother]. He had a bad night on Friday and was still struggling when we arrived Saturday. His breathing was rapid and shallow, he had a lot of pain in the ribcage area, sensitive to touch, and his fingernails looked blue-ish/purple-ish. His oxygen setting was pushed up to 8 and having a tough time with mucus like glue. [SIL] called the ambulance and we met him at the hospital ER. This time, she took him to St. Joseph’s and the doctor and the hospital response team was MUCH better (so was the food).

[Brother’s] pulse was 30-42, respitory was 100, and heart at 126.

They gave him a super dose of oxygen and his color got better. He started flirting with the nurse (complimenting her “razor sharp eyebrows”) and complaining to the blood guy (“I’m turning into a pin cushion!”). So we left, but then got a call from [SIL] that [Brother’s] doctor came in with the scans and the news wasn’t good: left lung is collapsed, right lung is filling up and a “mass” or “congestion” was outside the lung, as well. The word “lymphoma” was mentioned. The doctor is giving him meds to reverse the blood thinners, is also giving him super doses of antibiotics, and will be doing a lung biopsy tomorrow. They also plan to catheter his heart. They expect that he’ll be on a ventilator after the biopsy.

He told me to be sure and tell everyone hello and thanks for the love and prayers.”

This hospital is working together as a team. The difference between them and Tampa General is like night and day.

Easter dinner was great and we got to facetime with my brother which lifted everyone’s spirits. Well, that, and they all got lots of leftovers to take home, too. As usual, I made WAY too much. My older brother’s ex-wife and his son came. It’s like now that he’s gone, they feel they can be friends with me. I’m happy to have them. They’re still in deep pain over Mark’s death and I think they want closer ties. They left early so they could drive to Tampa to see my younger brother, but it was a good new first for us all.

Wishing everyone who celebrates a joyful, blessed, peaceful Easter. Risen, indeed!