Bob on dialysis

Family and Friends,

When I got to the hospital this morning they told me that Bob's kidneys aren't processing as much as they would like. especially because of the fact that they had started to feed him through the IV, as they feed Bob they also are growing the blood infection. Their only choice was to start dialysis. They hope that this will get his kidneys to start functioning better and relieve the adema in his hands and feet. I've never seen Bob this bloated even when he was powerlifting. The kidney doctor did not feel comfortable putting the dialysis line in Bob because they had to either stick it in his coradid artery in neck, or the one in his groin since he his blood is so thin and any little nick could be huge. They decided on using a surgeon to do it, and chose to temporarily stick the line in his groin since this is less likely to damage something. They can only put the dialysis line in for 48 hours however because the likelyhood for infection increases in that area. In 48 hours they will reassess him and if his counts go up, they will bring him into surgery and put a permanent line near his neck.

Bob is still on a breathing machine and is not concious, however he is responsive to outside stimuli, like pain, or the sound of people's voices that he knows. It's a catch 22 however, because if you do talk loud and he recognizes your voice he wakes up groggily but is scared because he has the tubes in his throat and is confused and you can see him wincing in pain and trying to shake his head to get the tubes out. Also Bob still has a high grade fever.

Special thanks to Jim Wendler Bob's powerlifting buddy, and Billy Lynch Bob's roommate in high school who have been like brother's to him, and who have comforted both me and Bob's family during the past few days. Also thanks for the rest of the donations that came in today for Bob's care. Everyone's kindness has been overwhelming.

Thanks again and keep the prayers coming,

Michele

PS. Today's pic is for the people from Bob's high school. Believe it or not, Bob's the one holding the silver championship cup.