Day 35? 36? Not sure...

Hi Friends and Family...Well, I have PLENTY of time to post LOTS of updates now...seeing how Mary and I are now in lockdown on 8NE of the UofW Medical Center. Insert Mary yelling, "AGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Yesterday morning was great. It started a lot another good morning you've heard about recently. :) We went to the doctor and he was impressed with the progress that Mary was making, which was good to hear. And she was feeling really good at that point. We got home from the clinic and Mary did her Physical Therapy exercises and was feeling a little worn out and thought she would take a quick nap, which really isn't anything unusual...So, I got her settled and the hydration set up and a movie put in and left her to her nap.

At 2ish something she yells at me that she needs me right away. Which is a very rare occurrence in our house. And so I come flying up and running into her room to see what is wrong. And she tells me she feels so warm. So I take her temperature, because she does feel so warm. It's 100.4. And I tell her I'm calling the clinic. She begs no. I tell her I'll take it again in 15 minutes and then call. But before 15 minutes comes and goes, she yells for me again. This time to say that her chest is hurting. And this time she is so cold that she is shaking the whole bed. And my entire body when I touch her. Talk about some cold chills...And her fever is up to 100.9. I call the clinic and tell them I need to talk to someone now. And so they transfer me to Dinah, the triage nurse, bless her heart I think the poor lady knows me far to well by now. And so while I'm on the phone with her, I'm busy getting clothes and shoes on Mary, shoes on myself, contemplating calling 911 while Mary keeps saying over and over, "Oh, it hurts, it hurts." While holding her chest. And throwing things we'll need for an overnight stay in the hospital into my backpack. I managed to do all of that and get us down and on the shuttle in about 10 minutes. Not sure how I did it, or how I managed not to completely unravel, but I did. So, Dinah called to make sure we were on our way, and then again as soon as she had us a room so that we could come straight back to the room instead of having to check in. We skipped go (wish we could have gotten $200!) and went back to room 45. Just in time for Mary to start vomiting. And I was SO greatful to have Dinah there to help me with that one. If you've never met this lady, and most of you haven't, she's the lady you want when things aren't well. Because she can make you feel better! Anyways, they got Mary's doctor down right away, started fluids and anti-nausea meds. Lots of different antibiotics (her fever was up to 103 by that point), and ran TONS of tests. And took even more blood. And didn't have a clue what was wrong at that point. So, then her doctors decided they wanted to admit her to the hospital...Transport by ambulance. I will say, I've never gotten to ride in one of those before. It was probably a lot cooler for me than for Mary. Although I did hold her hand and rub her monkey fuzz. :) We got to the hospital and things were a blur. Lots more doctors and nurses. Repeats of tests and blood draws and new different tests and blood draws. And while we still don't have answers to specific questions, like why Mary's heart started hurting yesterday (it doesn't anymore). We do know that her blood cultures started growing bacteria very rapidly. Within a few hours. We don't have a specific bacteria yet, or a specific protocol for treatment yet, so we're still on the broad spectrum of running bags of anything and everything all day long to keep all the bases covered. But we'll let you know as soon as we know! Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. And thanks especially for your encouraging words. This is the last place either one of us want to be spending the weekend! (Although Mary is glad I have no intention of leaving her). We miss you!