Late night post

Kendall's lymph node biopsy in her neck was this past Monday. We are somewhat used to the timing and the frequency of the updates during procedures that come to us from the nurses through our cell phone. This time I did notice that they hadn't updated at the usual time points in the procedure but ok...Damon and I went to the cafeteria and got some bagels, breakfast sandwiches, etc..and ate in the cafeteria while we waited. 99.9% in the past they would have sent us a message giving us the updates and status of the procedure. I made a comment to him about it but pushed my fears and questions aside. We went back to the surgical floor and waited for the doctor to come to the consultation room to give us the report.

When the door opened, the person that came through was someone we did not know as part of the team that we talked to hours before. (I am giving these details to show that even though you are full of faith, trusting and believing, the human part of us will go to negative thoughts and to a report that you don't want to hear especially when you see unfamiliar people coming to talk to you). This particular doctor said she was the head of radiology and she either performed or assisted on the the biopsy(don't remember which one she said at this point).

She explained to us that the lymph node they decided to biopsy is not the one on the side of the neck like in previous times. They ended up biopsying a lymph node on the right side but more towards the center. She said it was slightly more difficult to get to this one because it had more vessels near it, but this is the lymph node that would give them the best detection of what the result would be.

I exhaled and was appreciative of the care, concern and the fact that that the team brings in the best and most experienced person whenever there is a question or concern.

Kendall stayed in recovery for about an hour or so and then we went to the Diabetes floor to get the teaching and education on the medications she is going to be on to wean off of prednisone.

Fast forward to today which is Thursday night. We just set up her pill box to start the weaning process which we will begin tomorrow morning @8am. Week 1 Friday-Thursday she will get 10mg hydrocortisone pills at 8am and 2pm.

Other meds are: Tacrolimus(immunosuppressant, Vitamin D, Magnesium(3xday), iron, prilosec, antibiotics(Sat/Sun), inhalers 2-3 x day, and tadalafil (treats pressures in her lungs). I know this sounds like a lot even to us but it is not nearly as many meds she was on to begin with so thank God.

As far as the steroid weaning is concerned we have a weekly dose we give 2x day for 1 week. It switches every week for 1 month until she is completely off of it. We also have emergency doses of a medication to give in her muscle in case of emergency.

I did not plan on giving this long of an update but once I started I kept on typing.

Someone told me I give too many details but that's just me. That's who I am. That's what I do. No apologies.

Our family is so grateful for each one of you, your genuine love, and continued support towards each and every one of our family members. We couldn't do this without you!!

The doctor should call with biopsy results sometime tomorrow (Friday). We will keep you posted. No matter what, we are optimistic, and still believing and praying that Kendall has already been through the worst of her recovery. All the days ahead are to be enjoyed and celebrated.

You are the best supporters that we could have. Thank you for your consistency and dedication.

#TeamKendall

#FaithOverFear

#BeKendallStrong