A quick update - since it's been a while...
Since having the stem cell transplant, life has had its ups and downs for dad. Some days are great, and some are far from it. We were pleasantly surprised when he started getting out and about, working, going to sporting events, etc pretty quickly after being released. Also, blood tests and other tests have shown that the transplant has done what it was supposed to do and has the cancer presence moving in the right direction. There have been a few set backs, though.
A couple of weeks ago, dad was admitted at Providence for about 6 days with pneumonia-like symptoms. He had breathing trouble pretty consistently - and the docs determined that it wasn't pneumonia but a disorder caused by the transplant that causes similar symptoms. After being released, things didn't progress and get better like they should've. This past Thursday night, dad was admitted again with a consistently high fever (above 103) and significant breathing problems (no relation to the Rangers heartbreaking loss in game 6 that same night).
They've run a lot more tests since he's been admitted this time and have found a couple of issues - but still waiting to find out exactly what is causing the shortness of breath and very easy fatigue. They think it's some type of infection and have taken some tissue from his lungs to test. Aside from that, they discovered that he's got a vocal cord disorder, where the vocal cords do not expand the way they should and occasionally spasm and seriously restrict air flow. It's a treatable problem, but also a scary one.
We will post another update when we know more about what is going on and what is discovered and done for the lung and infeciton problems. In the meantime it looks like he'll be in the hospital for a little while - he's been doing worse since being admitted, but they have controlled the fever. He's in room 486 at Providence. Hopefully the next update is some positive news. As always, thanks a ton for the support and prayers.
