Date sent: 11/07/99 01:44 AM
Friday and Saturday
HI! I am actually writing to you from Yellow Springs. Early last week when Dan and I
found out that he would need to be staying in Boston for a couple more weeks, we decided
to try to find a way for me to come spend some time with the kids and stratagize a
re-grouping of sorts. We really don't know how long Dan will be in Boston.
So, still uncertain, we spent most of Friday preparing for me to leave. We arranged for
family friends to stay with Dan, we spoke with Dr. Black so that Dan would know what to
expect over the weekend, we moved the furniture in his room so he could easily reach
things without help.
Back up a little.
Thursday evening a resident came in and drained the cyst and inject antibiotic. He
drained about 11 cc of fluid and added about 1 cc of vancomicin. We had a long talk about
how cysts are "normally treated" by IV antibiotics only, that the cyst didn't
need to be drained every other day, that most people only have the first aspiration, maybe
a second, and extremely rarely a third time. He said he was perfectly willing to do it,
but that we shouldn't be alarmed if he couldn't do it again until Monday, since it was not
such a big deal. On top of that he works 120 hours a week so we will have to wait until he
can fit us into his schedule, and there were so many other residents who could do the
"floor work."
This was very different than what Dr. Black had told us. So, we were again frustrated
that Dr. Black said something and a resident (the chief resident, no less) said something
so different. In the end, I just said that Dr. Black must have a reason for treating this
case differently, and he should ask Dr. Black.
So, that is what I spoke to Dr. Black about on Friday. Of course he said that Dan will
get the procedures that he needs, ie, that they will drain everyother day and that this
time (meaning Saturday) they would image right after draining and then again in 24 hours
so that they could see how fast it re-fills.
What actually happened today, is that they imaged first, presumably so that they could
see if it refills to a comparable size to just prior to draining. They drained 30 cc's of
fluid and did not inject any antibiotic. Then Dr. Black said that they will drain every
day it turns out that they need to.
Meanwhile, at home, I was able to spend most of the day holding Hana and Zachary,
answering their questions, talking with my sister, and eating out. I also bought a new
answering machine. (I had to call Dan to figure out which one to get...) So, for those of
you who have tried unsuccessfully to leave us voice messages, you will have better luck in
the future!
Much Love and Shalom, Abi and Dan
We spent the day fretting that it seemed likely he would need another surgery... maybe
even a craniotomy... (all before Dr. Black actually came by to talk to us...) trying not
to totally lose it before having all the facts. We have had this tendendcy to sink to
incredibly base humor in these moments, and yesterday came up with one of the worst...
"guess you had to be there..." kind of jokes, ready?
Q: How many craniotomies does it take to change a light bulb? A: Three. If you want to
use you left hand to do it.
Ok, so, after the Black Humor enters Dr. Black.
He says... here's the dfference between surgery and medicine in perspective. The ID's
(infectious disease docs) are afraid that the bacteria will grow on the plastic. Dr. Black
says, not only will it help to drain the cyst (did I mention already that the cyst had
already refilled to about 2 to 3 inches across?), he can deliver penicillan directly to
the site through the port. And, as an aside, may still take the port out in the end. In
the mean time, they will drain the cyst with a needle (and insert antibiotic), in a
bedside procedure, local anesthetic, every other day. Until they don't drain anything else
out. For as long as it takes. Maybe "a couple of weeks."
Ok, so, that is actually good news. He doesn't need to have another craniotomy to get
it out. The recovery from which would be a couple weeks anyway, so this is definately
better from that regard. We are hoping that also by relieving the pressure on the motor
cortex, he will be able to make some more improvement in mobility. I asked Dr. Black if he
still had potential to regain full functioning because some of the therapists had thought
maybe not since he was so far out from the original surgery. He reassured me that there
was still plenty of time for Dan to heal and recover from this and that his functioning
would return. (Do I need to say directly I am a little skeptical? However, Hopeful (very
hoepful) even still.)
So the first drainage procedure will be today.
I am going to try to get back to YS for a couple days here soon, but don't know when or
how. We would like to have coverage for Dan here so I can be there. Still working out the
details.
So, enough for this morning. Will let you know more as we know more.
Love and Shalom, Abi and Dan
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