Miserable

The past few days have been miserable for Krista -- really painful. It is an all over body pain somewhat radiating from her chest. The pain meds give only very brief relief, and we started working with palitive care to find better options. 

Our best guess right now is that the pain is bone pain from an overactive white blood production. Her body is trying to fight off the infections, but is producing ineffective leukemia cells instead. 

There's conflicting needs for her to make progress. The infectious disease doctor says he needs a working immune system to get her better, otherwise all he can do is stabilize her. To get her immune system working again, though, we need to start cancer treatment.  But all of the cancer options take far too long and are far too strong to be a viable option. 

The best bet is to identify the specific infection in her lungs since there are other antibiotic and antifungal options that target specific germs. She's going right now to get samples taken out of her lungs with a bronchoscope. The procedure only takes about 10 minutes but the cultures will take longer. 

Krista is really looking forward to the procedure because they will be heavily sedating her. That feels like an escape from the constant pain that she's been dealing with.  Hopefully the palliative care team can come up with a better solution, because pain control is the first priority now. 

Lord, I wait for you;

you will answer, Lord my God. 

For I said, “Do not let them gloat

or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” 

For I am about to fall,

and my pain is ever with me. 

(Psalm 38:15-17)