Andrea is getting better

4-4-2011 Dear Family and friends Andrea had her lung biopsy March 29th. The surgery team not only appeared very knowledgeable but they were very thoughtful and gentle with Andrea and us. They seemed aware she was a very special person and seemed very tender in talking and touching her. It took a little longer to do because they were very careful with her and she was and is very fragile. Fortunately she had no infection. Unfortunately she had severe injury to her lungs from? possible post engraftment inflammation or it possibly may be from a previous infection. Infectious disease and pulmonary doctors think it was from post engraftment and should respond to steroids. We were pretty upset to get what could have been terrible news. But we put our tears aside and remembered how strong Andrea really is. I said I think if anyone truly deserves a miracle I think Andrea should. She is so kind and such a wonderful person and she has suffered so much to overcome this cancer. So we proceeded She started off on very high oxygen and other ventilator assistance but she every day improved slow but sure. She was improving daily until Sat and Sun night when suffered a couple of set backs from an air leak from the chest tube and she had two episodes of a pneumothorax affecting her lungs. She so rallied and is again making big strides to improving. Starting Sunday they are starting to slowly reduce her sedation so that later this week or next if all goes well, she will get extubated and then get her chest tube out. A couple of days ago she woke up some, sat up in bed and with all her chest and endotracheal tubes and arterial and central lines and reached out and hugged me. Though that was scary and totally not something we would have wanted, still it was a very touching moment for all us. Also it let us know Andrea’s strength and loving spirit is still strong, even with all that pain and confusion she must have had when she sat up. She was sedated more and has been sleeping quietly since. We are so hopeful her lungs are healing well and that the terrible pain she had from her reaction from one of the immune suppressive drugs will be gone. So the rest of her body is doing really well so hopefully after this lung injury is better she will be better. Everyone is amazed on how well Andrea is doing On a wonderful note :-) Andrea's bone marrow is now 100% her host- This is not that common to have this so early but it is truly wonderful. Many transplant patients have some engraftment at this time, some fail at this time but a few special people have this full engraftment. We always knew Andrea was a pretty special person J She has grade 2 graft vs. host reaction. This means her new immune should see any possible leukemic cells as foreign and destroy them (We’re unsure if it was what damaged her lungs but that is done and if it is it should respond well to steroids, which it seems to be doing). That means her chances of a full cure from her leukemia is extremely high " Go Andrea" So if she can make this lung hurtle she should be able to hopefully move on from her back in her mind, everyday worry of Cancer. She will still have a tough road in the immediate future just getting off the ventilator and in just getting stronger. She has been extremely sick and in bed for almost two months. However, those that know her, know that she is so motivated and tuff that she will conquer those challenges too. Plus with the love and support of all of her family and friends that too will help her through this and other possible tough times she might have ahead. She will still have to worry about possible infections for the first two years post transplant but lets hope they are mild if she has any. So we thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I have read Andrea your notes because she might hear them. We were encouraged to play music and talk and read to her as her sedation is decreased and she starts to wake up. I will also read them to her again when she wakes up. I know she will enjoy them. Thank you for love and kindness for Andrea Take Care love Sharon