I’m going to attempt to give a brief medical update. I hesitate because it's difficult to explain in few words and is baffling to even her specialists. I’ll do the best I can. On April 9th Ashtyn was admitted into the hospital for neuropathy pain management from a chemo side effect. She was given a narcotic and expected to leave the hospital within a few days. Less than three days later a fever briefly spiked and was said to have negative blood culture sepsis. Her blood pressures were slightly low and was transferred to the ICU for 18 hours. For a short amount of time she was on a low dose of a medication called norepinephrine which constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressures. Once she was back on the cancer floor, her kidney’s stopped processing urine properly producing incredible amounts of urine requiring incredible amounts of IV fluids to keep the body hydrated. 10 days after her first ICU visit, she went to the ICU again for low blood pressures that were treated with stress doses of a steroid called hydrocortisone. It was then thought that Ashtyn’s adrenal glands were fatigued and unable to produce the needed cortisol steroid hormone we all need to help our bodies adapt to the stresses placed on them. It seemed that two separate problems were going on. Her kidneys were producing too much urine requiring a ton of IV fluids. Her adrenal glands were not producing enough hydrocortisone causing low blood pressures and low glucose levels. What has always been confusing is what caused the problems in the first place. On top of that, her "problems" are unusual to the oncologists, ICU doctors, endocrinologist, and nephrologist because her medical findings and lab values don't entirely add up. After three days in the ICU her urine output started to improve and her blood pressures were normal with a very high dose of steroids. She went back to the cancer floor two days ago. Her steroid dose is currently being weaned and will soon be on a low maintenance dose that she'll be on for several months. In the meantime blood sugars and blood pressures are monitor frequently to make sure her body can handle less steroids. So far so good. Because of the high steroids given, Ash is also dealing with a side effect where she has literally gained 20 pounds. It may take several weeks before her weight is back to normal and for her that day can not come soon enough. It appears that currently her kidneys are slowly improving. Monday will be the absolute earliest she will be able to leave the hospital. Her blood pressures, blood sugars, and kidney functions all have to be back to baseline. Please pray that 1. she will be cancer free on Monday the 30th 2. each day her health will improve allowing her to leave the hospital on the 30th 3. She will be able to go to Salt Lake City on May 1st for a week.
Let me know if you have any questions and I'll be happy to answer them.
