Update from Elaine

Kate has developed a low grade fever, so we will be staying in the hospital a little longer rather than going home today as we had hoped, until the doctors can determine the cause of the fever. Yesterday she began having diarrhea and her temperature began moving towards fever range. This morning she moved into official fever range. Kate's doctors are not overly concerned, but started two antibiotics(vancomycin and fortaz - names for the benefit of our medical friends). She had heavy nausea and heaving this morning. She feels badly, and nothing attempted seems to provide much relief.
-Kate's throat is sore, and that may be an indication that Kate has developed some mucositis (sores in the mouth/throat that are often associated with some types of chemo). -Over the last two days, Kate has developed some congestion in her chest. A chest x-ray this afternoon revealed no issues in her lungs.
-They have done all kinds of tests to check everything out from bacteria to viruses in an effort to determine the cause of the fever. Blood cultures were done prior to starting antibiotic, but those results take 24 hours. It will be tomorrow until we hear the results of many of the tests. They are checking for C-diff -a bacteria which occurs normally in our "gut" that may now be out of its normal level since there are no WBC to balance it, and therefore could be the cause of the diarrhea.
-Kate's platelet count dropped to 13 today so she received a transfusion of platelets today as well.
-Kate's WBC is very low .1 which means ANC (infection fighters)count is near nil. We did not expect this drop quite so soon. This early drop is probably inidcative that there is infection somewhere in Kate's body drawing on what WBC's she had.

Requests:
~Please be praying for Maggie - she was really counting on us coming home today. She had a year book meeting after school and then dance, so at least she was going to be busy today.
~Please be praying for a breakthrough in the way Kate is feeling. Our pastor shared with us today that he and his wife were praying for a break through for Kate based on 2 Samuel 5:20. "The Lord has broken through against my enemies before me" Please pray with us that "the Lord of breaking through" will break through today against the nausea, weakness, and discouragement which are harassing Kate.
~Please ask that the cause of the fever will be discovered and that Kate will respond to the antibiotics and finally begin to feel better.
~Kate has not held down any food or drink today. Please ask for victory over the nausea.
The day has been a little dark but we know the Son will shine and warm us with his love and hope. If all the tests come back ok the hope is to send us home by the weekend with IV antibiotics. Please pray to that end.

Standing on the promises of grace,
Elaine