Saturday, January 17, 2009

Day "61"

Well, they started that new medication I was talking about today. That medication is estrogen. Yes, I said estrogen. My husband is taking estrogen. But don't worry, Joel has already sent him an email of the Seinfeld episode about the "Manssiere" (bra for men) and the doctor offered him a subscription to Ladies Home Journal! So he has already endured a fair amount of teasing! :)
Seriously, I guess they give estrogen intravenously to women who are hemorrhaging after child birth. So, they are using the estrogen to constrict the blood vessels in Jeff's bladder and stop the bleeding. I spent the entire morning researching this therapy on the Internet, and the studies seem to show that it works 80% to 90% of the time, and their are NO feminine side effects in men. The biggest concern is blood clots, but that is when estrogen is taken for a long period of time and worse for smokers! Jeff will be on the estrogen for less than 3 weeks, and he has never smoked a day in his life! Plus, he has very little platelets, so clotting really shouldn't be an issue. Speaking of platelets...Jeff is officially producing his own! Today, for the first time since transplant, his platelets increased on their own...no transfusion involved!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome news on the platelets, you guys are amazing, and thanks for always taking the time to update your blog so we all know whats going on.
-Roger Erickson

wenwin said...

Do I dare tell Rich that Jeff is hooked up to "estrogen"?
I think I will save Jeff a lifetime of grief and keep my mouth shut!
Jeff, you owe me big time!!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear you are producing your very own platelets!
Kat, just remember when Jeff gets home and wants to rearrange furniture and bake cakes then we really need to be concerned!
Love ya!
Wendy :)

Dan,Lisa,Zeak,Jake,Kaci said...

GOOD NEWS on the platelets. Wow Kith you did all the research on Jeff but what about you are there going to be any side affects for you if Jeff takes estrogen because having sisters to much estrogen in one room can sometimes be ugly :) Hopefully this works. Dan and I were wondering why you have to be in the hospital so long. Maybe this is for Jeff's good so that he has to regain health and the bladder is just a disguise to keep him down. Because anyone who knows Jeff he is like the energizer bunny and just keeps going. This is the Lords way of saying I made you well and you are going to stay well. :) Keep smiling and Scrapbooking. The estrogen should help him gain an appreciation of scrapbooking if nothing else :) if he wants to join you call the Dr ASAP
Love you both

Anonymous said...

Hi Kathryn and Jeff:
WHATEVER it takes to get things right...estrogen, whatever works, right? Glad the platelets are on the move. We keep up on you thru reading your blog (by the way THANKS for keeping it current) and thru your family. You are in our prayers constantly! I told Kaitlyn she could come dance next time she stays in Nephi :) We love you. You are such a great example of faith and strength. Take care and keep the forward progression!
Lisa, Mo and the family :)

Lyns said...

I don't care WHAT they give him! We all just want him better. That is WONDERFUL news on the platelets. SOOOO glad the transplant went smoothly and everything is looking good. Still thinking about you guys and praying for you!