The ID doctor who initially saw Kristine felt it was necessary for her to get a bronchoscopy done to obtain a biopsy of the fungus in her lungs. A bronchoscopy would require Kristine to be intubated, which means being extubated after the procedure. This concerned Dr Paquette. His fear is that Kristine would have to go on a ventilator after the procedure and wasn't sure how long it would take her to get off of it, if ever.
After consulting with the ID doctor who specializes in transplant patients, Dr Paquette decided the risk outweighed the benefit. So no biopsy for Kristine. Instead, they have decided to increase the voriconazole dosage to treat her fungal infection. They feel the cause of Kristine's decline in lung function is mainly due to the GVHD so they're going to try a new drug treatment called Interleukin2 (IL2). This would be an 8 week treatment with subcutaneous injections daily.
Well, the insurance company denied the IL2 for outpatient treatment so they have submitted an appeal. In the meantime, while Kristine is in the hospital, they can administer IL2 as an inpatient treatment. So they are supposed to start her first injection tonight. Dr Paquette is expecting Kristine to experience fever, chills, nausea and flushing. Assuming she doesn't have any acute reactions to the drug, she may be discharged tomorrow.
We're hopeful Dr Paquette will be able to convince the insurance company to approve the outpatient IL2 injections. With that said, please include Kristine in your prayers tonight and every time you pray.
Tonight, Kat and I sleeping over in the hospital room with Kristine. A pajama party in room 6121!! We're going to watch movies on the laptop and stay up all night since there's no getting any sleep in here with the nurses coming in and out all night poking and prodding Kristine. LOL!!!
Prayers, prayers and more prayers please. Thank you!!
After consulting with the ID doctor who specializes in transplant patients, Dr Paquette decided the risk outweighed the benefit. So no biopsy for Kristine. Instead, they have decided to increase the voriconazole dosage to treat her fungal infection. They feel the cause of Kristine's decline in lung function is mainly due to the GVHD so they're going to try a new drug treatment called Interleukin2 (IL2). This would be an 8 week treatment with subcutaneous injections daily.
Well, the insurance company denied the IL2 for outpatient treatment so they have submitted an appeal. In the meantime, while Kristine is in the hospital, they can administer IL2 as an inpatient treatment. So they are supposed to start her first injection tonight. Dr Paquette is expecting Kristine to experience fever, chills, nausea and flushing. Assuming she doesn't have any acute reactions to the drug, she may be discharged tomorrow.
We're hopeful Dr Paquette will be able to convince the insurance company to approve the outpatient IL2 injections. With that said, please include Kristine in your prayers tonight and every time you pray.
Tonight, Kat and I sleeping over in the hospital room with Kristine. A pajama party in room 6121!! We're going to watch movies on the laptop and stay up all night since there's no getting any sleep in here with the nurses coming in and out all night poking and prodding Kristine. LOL!!!
Prayers, prayers and more prayers please. Thank you!!
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