(Most recent updates first)
First received Saturday, March 28, 2020
For Udo D. in Germany who has coronavirus and is now in critical condition in the ICU on a ventilator with his kidneys shutting down...[April 1] Udo's kidneys are working again, and he can be on his back during the day. He is still on a ventilator; his lungs are full of fluid. He might be like this for two to three weeks. Right now doctors are waiting for a medication that is promising but difficult to get in Europe. Continued support is requested.
Update Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Udo's condition has improved a lot. Today doctors put a tube into his windpipe so he can begin to breath on his own again.
First received Saturday, December 21, 2019
For T.S. in Germany who is pregnant and has a painful ear infection... [March 14] T. S. is expecting her first baby in three weeks and her husband is an intensive-care doctor with the potential for exposure to the coronavirus...[March 30] Baby Sophia was born today. The family is full of joy...[April 2] T. S. is still in the hospital after the birth of her baby, Sophia. Sophia temporarily stopped breathing, and her bilirubin is high.
Update Tuesday, April 7, 2020
T. S. and baby Sophia returned home on Sunday. The baby is fine.
First received Friday, March 27, 2020
For Anne K. in Rickmansworth, United Kingdom who lives in a nursing home and was feeling unwell yesterday evening, and for her family.
Update Monday, April 6, 2020
Anne has developed a cough, but it is not thought to be coronavirus at this stage. Her chest and lungs have underlying weakness. Her family members are unable to visit.
First received Friday, March 27, 2020
For Alida A. in Santa Barbara, California who will have a biopsy on April 1 for possible uterine cancer and is concerned about being in a hospital environment at this time.
Update Monday, April 6, 2020
Cancer was found in Alida's uterine lining. She might have a hysterectomy this Wednesday and will need chemotherapy or radiation.
First received Tuesday, March 3, 2020
For Dean K. in Louisville, Kentucky who fell and broke his right humerus...[March 13] Dean’s two-week checkup on his arm is Monday, March 16...[March 17] Dean's healing is on track. He will continue to use the sling for supporting his right arm. His next checkup will be Monday, April 6. He has had very little pain.
Update Monday, April 6, 2020
Dean's arm is getting stronger every day and the swelling is decreasing. He has very little pain. In the checkup today by teleconferencing, the orthopedic doctor noted that Dean's arm flexibility is "ahead of schedule" and assigned him a new shoulder exercise. The next teleconference appointment will be April 21.
First received Tuesday, March 31, 2020
For Mandi B. in Parker, Colorado who will have thyroid surgery on Thursday, April 2.
Update Friday, April 3, 2020
Mandi’s surgery went well. She is at home resting.
First received Wednesday, January 8, 2020
For ninety-two-year-old Shirley J. in Mounds View, Minnesota who fell and fractured her leg and will have surgery on January 9...[January 10] Shirley's surgery went well. She now has a rod and screws in her right femur.
She did limited walking today. She previously walked with a cane and will now have to use a walker. She will go to a rehabilitation facility for several weeks on Monday or Tuesday... [January 11]Shirley is in pain, continues
to need IV fluids, and needs assistance when walking. She is very tired and resting as much as possible... [January 18] Shirley was moved to rehab five days ago and is doing well. Her pain is slowly decreasing, she is walking
fifteen feet with a walker each day, and started to use a stationary bicycle for ten minutes each day on January 17. She is slowly getting her strength back and continues to need a lot of rest. She is receiving excellent care,
good food, and is impressing the staff with her mental clarity, excellent outlook and humor....[January 21] Shirley will have the staples removed from her incision on January 22. She is increasing her walking each day and she is very tired after her therapy...[January 31] Shirley will be going home on February 3. She will be receiving occupational and physical therapy at home. She is mastering her walker and her pain has decreased. She is ready to go home.... [February 24] Shirley's right leg is healing slower than they had hoped. She also has a pressure sore on her right heel which is slowly healing. She is to continue doing exercises and will see her doctor on March 18....[March 11] Shirley's pressure sore is still not healing and she cannot wear shoes....[March 18] Shirley had a minor stroke on March 18 and is in the hospital. Her carotid artery is 80% blocked. She will transfer to a different hospital tomorrow to have a stent put in the artery...[March 19] Shirley came through her surgery well. She will be evaluated to determine if she needs to spend time in rehab to regain her strength....[March 21] Shirley is still hospitalized. She is having trouble talking due to the intubation for her surgery. It is difficult to get information from the hospital or speak to her...[March 23] Shirley was released from the hospital late Saturday, March 21. She is tired and weary. Her hospital stay was very frightening as she had limited contact with her family. No visitors were allowed due to coronavirus concerns. It was difficult for her to talk due to the intubation and the side effects from anesthesia so she could rarely use a phone. She will need some time to recover from the surgery and the hospital experience.
Update Wednesday, April 1, 2020
"Shirley's voice and energy level are greatly improved. She has painful lumps in her face from the position she was in for the two-hour carotid artery surgery. It will take weeks for these to disappear. She is still unable to wear shoes due to a pressure sore on the leg she broke. She is able to do limited walking. She has a great attitude and was able to bake cookies today."
First received Sunday, March 29, 2020
For Helga N. in Vietnam who is attempting to fly home to Germany after her flight was delayed by a plane crash.
Update Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Helga made it back home, safe and sound.
First received Thursday, March 26, 2020
For Stephanie in Peoria, Arizona who is one day overdue to deliver her first baby and is afraid of going to a hospital during the pandemic....[March 31] Stephanie is in labor at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona. The baby has been showing some signs of distress.
Update Wednesday, April 1, 2020
The baby was born by C-section on Tuesday afternoon. He was lacking oxygen -- the cord was around his neck -- but he was revived and is now fine.
First received Tuesday, March 17, 2020
For Patti P. in Mesa, Arizona with stomach and hiatal hernia pain....[March 18] Patti's abdominal pain turned out to be acute appendicitis. Patti and her partner wanted to self-quarantine at a home in Nashville and began
driving from Arizona to Tennessee. The pain became too great and they stopped at a hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico where Patti had emergency surgery at 4:30 am on Wednesday morning. The surgery was successful. Patti
will see her doctor sometime on Thursday. She hopes to be released from the hospital on Thursday or Friday... [March 21] Patti's appendix was ruptured. She now has a foot-long incision. The surgeon did a lot of repair work,
including removing some necrotic bowel tissue. She is in pain but started walking today....[March 26] Patti is unable to take food or drink and her body is swollen. Doctors are awaiting results of a CT scan of the abdomen to identify the source of the problems.
Update Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Patti was released from the hospital and is going to rest in a hotel for several days before returning home.
First received Tuesday, March 24, 2020
For elderly Jacques A. in Paris, France who is hospitalized with coronavirus after having returned from Rhode Island; and for his partner, Gan, his family, and friends... [March 26] Jacques is nearing his transition.
Continued support for Gan and for his friends.
Update Friday, March 27, 2020
Jacques made his transition last night.
First received Thursday, March 19, 2020
For Lisa G. in Costa Rica who is having a difficult time travelling home to Austria due to airline cancellations and the pandemic.
Update Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Lisa made it home safe and sound.
First received Thursday, May 2, 2019
For Tom J. in Mounds View, Minnesota with fatigue and severe gastrointestinal issues... [May 3] Tom is hospitalized with severe dehydration. He must recuperate before having a colonoscopy to determine the cause of severe
diarrhea... [May 9] Tom was released from the hospital on May 5. He is recovering from acute renal failure. He will be evaluated by his primary doctor on May 9...[May 13] Tom will have a colonoscopy on May 21.[May 18] Tom has
been diagnosed with C. diff and is on antibiotics for two weeks. The colonoscopy will be performed when he no longer has the infection... [June 10] A colonoscopy is scheduled for Tom on June 14 and a doctor's visit on June 18
that will hopefully resolve the cause of chronic diarrhea and weight loss...[June 24] Tom has been diagnosed with Crohn's disease. He is on medication which is giving him some relief while he waits for his insurance company to
approve an infusion type of medication that is needed to address his severe issues....[July 10] Tom's infusion medication was approved by insurance and he has had one infusion. His heart rate went up and his heart was monitored for a day. He had a stroke and heart attack on December 24. He has not had any other side-effects and his heart seems to be fine. He is scheduled for a second infusion on July 12...[July 16] Tom had his second infusion. He is having problems with fatigue and a sore throat which are gradually diminishing. These are common side effects. He is eating well, is not having diarrhea, and has stopped losing weight. He has lost sixty-five pounds since December 24. His next infusion will be August 9...[August 17] Tom had his infusion on August 9 and experienced the same side effects of fatigue and cold-like symptoms. His weight remains stable, and he has not had any intestinal issues. The side effects are now minimal. He is having problems with weakness in his left leg as a result of his stroke and is not walking properly...[September 16] Tom is having side effects from his August infusion including severe sore throat, nausea, headache, fatigue, and sinus issues. His next infusion is October 4. Side effects can occur at any time with this medication. His weight is stable and his walking is slowly improving...[October 20] Tom's infusion on October 4 went well. He continues to have severe fatigue and cold symptoms for several days afterward. His weight remains stable. His other medications may be causing some of his side effects and his medications will be reviewed. The strength in his left side has improved and he has now joined a gym. His next infusion is December 4. He will have testing to determine the level of inflammation in January... [November 18] Tom saw his cardiologist and they have adjusted his medication. His heart is functioning normally. There is no way to determine if his heart was weakened by a tear in his heart which has healed. His cholesterol remains normal and it was normal before his stroke. Doctors do not know why plaque totally clogged his carotid artery and caused his stroke. His infusions for Crohn's disease continue to cause sore throat and cold-like side effects after an infusion and occur occasionally in between infusions, requiring him to rest for several days. His weight remains stable... [December 24] Tom had an infusion on December 4 and the side-effects have slowly disappeared. With each infusion, the side-effects are lasting longer. He will be evaluated in several months to determine the effectiveness of the infusions....[January 21] Tom will have an infusion on January 27 for Crohn's disease. He is anxious because the side effects have been lasting longer with each infusion...[January 31] Tom had an infusion on January 27 and is struggling with severe fatigue and headache. He will have another infusion in March and be evaluated in April. He is hoping he can be put on another medication....[February 24] Tom will have a colonoscopy on March 13 to determine if he will continue with infusions for Crohn's disease. He is no longer having side effects from his last infusion....[March 11] Tom's colonoscopy is March 11 instead of March 13....[March 23] Tom's colonoscopy showed no inflammation. However, he must continue to have the infusions every two months. They can help with severe headaches he has experienced but not the severe fatigue or cold and throat symptoms. He is very disappointed. He is slowly adjusting to this information and what will be his new normal.
Update Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Tom had an infusion March 23. He is having difficult side effects. And he is caring for his mother who is recovering from surgery.
First received Tuesday, March 10, 2020
For Joy S. in Waldorf, Maryland who is having an MRI scan of her kidneys on March 18.
Update Monday, March 23, 2020
Joy's kidney MRI showed no recurrence of cancer.
First received Thursday, July 5, 2018
For Brendon C. in Aurora, Colorado with a chronic incurable upper GI disorder who is in pain, depressed and feeling suicidal...[August 30] Brendon has been hospitalized in the ICU in Parker, Colorado with Chronic Vomiting Syndrome. The illness has been ongoing since December 2014 and has now been further complicated by diabetes...[September 16] Brendon is improving. He is now seeing a psychiatrist weekly who is teaching him coping techniques....[May 17] Brendon has gastroparesis which has no known cure. Periodic relief from the chronic vomiting and pain is available in hospitals. He has just been released from a week in a hospital but continues having daily nausea...[August 21, 2019] Brendon will have outpatient surgery on August 23 to install a new battery in his stomach stimulator for his gastroparesis...[November 20] Brendon is hospitalized with diabetic ketoacidosis which can lead to organ failure.
Update Monday, March 23, 2020
Brendon is having his teeth extracted and his gums treated today before being fitted for dentures.
First received Thursday, January 2, 2020
For Gary S. in Santa Fe, New Mexico in the process of getting medical care for himself and his wife...[February 3] Gary has an appointment for a lower gastrointestinal procedure on February 6 at 2:30 P.M...[February 6] Before
Gary could have the scheduled colonoscopy, he was admitted to the hospital in serious condition and is in intensive care...[February 8] After spending two days in the hospital and having nine liters of his urine examined, Gary
will have Home Health Care and will make an appointment to see a urologist. The cause of his condition is yet unknown... [Feburary 11] Gary was released from the hospital with a catheter. He has an appointment with a urologist
on Wednesday morning. No one knows what caused his urine to back up. Support for his wife who is now Gary's chauffeur and caregiver...[February 15] Gary's bladder was severely stretched by whatever caused the blockage. His next appointment is on February 21 when they will examine the bladder...[February 27]The recent tests did not see any reason for the blockage that created the backup of urine in his bladder. He will now always need the catheter.
Update Sunday, March 22, 2020
An ultrasound of Gary's kidneys was normal and showed no bladder involvement. Gary will have a consultation with his urologist to discuss options.
First received Saturday, December 28, 2019
For Camille C. in Tucson, Arizona who was taken to the emergency room with seizures, and for her caregiver, Lynn.
Update Sunday, March 22, 2020
No treatments have been successful. Camille is seeking a neuro-opthamologist for evaluation and treatment. And she is waiting for insurance approval.
First received Friday, February 28, 2020
For William R. in Santa Fe, Mexico who will be entering hospice care.
Update Friday, March 20, 2020
William has improved to such a degree that he has been able to return to his home. He and his partner, Alex, now face a new challenge, as Alex has been diagnosed with the coronavirus and is hospitalized in intensive care.
First received Sunday, March 1, 2020
For M.K. in Gundelsheim, Germany with kidney problems, and for her medical team.
Update Thursday, March 19, 2020
Her kidneys are improving daily after she found an effective medication. She now has a cold.
First received Friday, February 21, 2020
For ninety-four-year-old Pamela T. in Napa, California who recently began hospice care.
Update Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Pam made her transition this morning. She passed away peacefully in her sleep.
First received Thursday, March 14, 2019
For Sheryl C. of Barrington, Rhode Island who is in the ER with pain in her chest and left arm and very high blood pressure... [March 15] A follow-up appointment with Sheryl's doctor revealed that she definitely has a heart issue. The doctor ordered two medications and a stress test, which should take place soon... [March 19] Sheryl now has blurred and double vision. Her doctor recommends consultation with her eye doctor...[November 19] Sheryl's blood pressure remains extremely high, in spite of taking medication for it...[November 24] Sheryl is scheduled for a heart catheterization tomorrow in Providence, Rhode Island to photograph arteries for blockages and possibly insert stents... [November 26] Sheryl is being released from the hospital to go home with new medications...[November 29] Sheryl is back in the Miriam Hospital emergency room in Providence with recurring chest and jaw pain. The doctor told her to return because the stent had possibly become dislodged... [December 15] Sheryl continues to have pain in her chest, left arm, and jaw. She was scheduled to do a stress echocardiogram test Friday, but it was determined it was too soon after her heart attack. Consequently, it is not certain if she will be able to begin cardiac rehabilitation this week....[December 27] Sheryl was scheduled for a stress echocardiogram this morning...[January 3] Sheryl is still having chest and left jaw pain as well as very high blood pressure. Her cardiologist changed medications today, but the doctors do not seem to know exactly what is causing the heart problems. Continued Radiant support for finding the right doctor and effective rehabilitation....[February] Sheryl continues to have frequent heart episodes. Doctors do not know if blood-pressure variations causes the heart episodes or if the heart issues cause blood-pressure problems. She also has been having severe back pain for a month. Support for a more accurate diagnosis leading to effective treatments.
Update Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Sheryl continues to have ongoing heart episodes and changes in medications as her doctors try to figure out the situation.