It’s never favorable to hear a doctor (or in this case, transplant coordinator) say, “It’s not good!” when referring to something pertaining to your health. This was the news Jody received yesterday after his bi-weekly blood work was reviewed by his Hopkins team. As you probably know, any organ recipient must take medication to lower their immune system and prevent their body from rejecting the donated organ. Lung transplant recipients require high doses of immunosuppressants and it’s a fine line they walk between their immune system being under or over suppressed; Under puts them at risk for rejection, over puts them at risk for infection/illness.
Jody’s levels have been up and down quite a bit this past year. When he’s had a few weeks of stable lab work, meaning his anti-rejection medication is in the desired range, and we think they’ve found the perfect dose for him… it randomly goes out the window. Despite no change in dosage or routine, his levels come back high or low and his meds need to be adjusted again. While this isn’t ideal and none of us really know why Jody’s body responds this way it hasn’t been a serious concern… until now.
Last weeks blood work once again showed an out-of-the-blue high level of one of his anti-rejection (immunosuppression) drugs. Unlike before, this caused his infection-fighting white blood cells (WBC’s), a key part to ones immune system, to drop dangerously low. Jody was sent for STAT labs yesterday since it had been five days from the time of this critical result (it seems the local lab never sent the results to Hopkins… heavy sigh!). Naturally, after 5+ days of too-high-dosed immunosuppressants, his WBC count dropped even lower and knocked out his immune system, leaving him at very high risk for infection. So what does this mean? It means even more diligence in germ prevention. Jody needs to wear a mask in our house, particularly when around our daughters. He is to avoid public places. He can only drink bottled/filtered water (no tap water). No fresh fruit, vegetables, salads or raw/under-cooked meat. Finally, LOTS and LOTS of HANDWASHING!
Jody will have more blood work drawn on Thursday. The doctors want to see if his WBC level will rise on its own now that they’ve stopped and decreased his immune lowering medications. It is probable that he will need shots of Neupogen, a drug which stimulates white blood cell production, to help boost his levels. This is a very expensive medication and we’ve been warned that it is often denied by insurance companies because of the cost. Apparently it’s also not readily available in our area because Johns Hopkins called 10 local pharmacies until they were able to find one who carries the drug. Jody has been told that a common side effect of Neupogen is bone pain and fatigue. We should know after Thursday if he will in fact need to start these injections. In the meantime…
Here are a few ways you can pray for us:
- That Jody can avoid an infection while his body is so at risk.
- That his body would naturally build more infection-fighting white blood cells.
- That our insurance would cover the Neupogen injections should they be warranted.
- That Jody’s body would absorb his anti-rejection medications more evenly (less highs and lows).
- That his kidneys would recover from the negative impact of the too-high-dosed immunosuppressant.
- Good health for myself and our two young daughters.
Thank you for your concern and prayers, they are always appreciated.
CF Wife 
Praying for all good things for all of you.
Hoping for health, health, health. That no one
Gets sick.
Keep that mask on Jody!!
Praying for peace for you all! Jody will overcome this speed bump! In the meantime, we’ll be standing with you guys in prayer! We sure know what this is all about and fully understand this setback!
Love and Prayers,
Julie and Kurt Holtzer
Praying for you all. Let’s hope that blood work get’s sent from the local lab, and the WCBs are up and you don’t need another med added. I understand the gravity of this situation. Hang in there! Love to you all.
Marilyn
Praying for all, Tiffany. Thanks for the list of specific prayer requests. We know God knows all these needs before we ask but it helps those of us who love your family to focus on the specifics. Keep us updated, because we care.
Pat Lohr
Hello Tiffany
Praying for you today as I read your blog. I have followed you from a while now praying for your family, esp Jody through all of these up’s and down’s you’ve faced.
I watched your 1 year video and cried as I watched not only the journey Jody was on but the faithfulness of a wife. The love and commitment of a wife to a husband. I know your days are not easy, I’m sure you’re filled with endless tasks and to do lists. But I want to encourage you that your life and commitment are an example of true love.
Don’t take for granted the moments God gives you to show your love for Jody to others. God has chosen you to be his wife to walk this difficult journey because he knew he had placed the heart and desire to do this with love and grace.
Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your lives with me! Praying for you today!!
Jessica S. Vega //jessvega.com
Hi Jess,
Thanks for taking the time to write such an encouraging comment (I got a little choked up). I’ve never really thought of God preparing my heart for Jody and his journey in the way you described. Who knows, maybe it began many years ago when he gave me the desire to become a nurse (because that has certainly been helpful). I appreciated your words, thanks for following our journey.
PRAYING ! PRAYING ! PRAYING !