BlackGuillemot of Leave

[ismo]

Reports on Tron keep changing. This morning, the doctors had still not found evidence of pneumonia, and were planning to give her a bronchoscopy on Monday. If that test confirmed that she was having an inflammatory reaction to the taxol, they were going to start her on steroids and postpone or end her chemo. This evening, a more sophisticated lab test revealed that she does have pneumonia after all, a type called PVP. It's what used to be called Pneumocystis carinii, and was the most common form of pneumonia in AIDS patients, thus presumably in other kinds of immunocompromised people. They're going to start her on a targeted antibiotic specifically for this type, and keep her in the hospital tonight. If she shows a good response, they'll put her on an oral form of antibiotics and discharge her. The bronchoscopy is canceled, and the chemo reinstated. I'm relieved to have an actual definite diagnosis.

The weather has changed from sunny and bright to dreary and chill. We put the big down comforter back on the bed. I have to think again about ways to cheer up the house when I'm inside. We had to go out this evening. I was driving home, and it began to rain TORRENTIALLY. Once again, it was hurricane-style rain that obliterated the road and darkened the sky prematurely. Not my favorite fun thing, but at least it was still daylight and there was little traffic. Naturally, just as we arrived at our own street, the rain slacked off, and light broke through the clouds in the west. Go figure. . . .