Friday, May 1

12.30pm report: So its been a long morning so far - Dad called from his room with the doctors - it seems as if his Hemoglobin levels have dropped once again. today to 7.3. They feel that this is not stemming from the previous Ulcer as stool tests show negative blood results, yet concerned that the original Retroperitoneal bleed may be acting up again. Part of the concern is that he was put back on Aspirin to maintain and address his previous heart conditions, however that can assist in bleeding episodes. Also, his heart rate is up slightly and his oxygen levels at down just a touch - 96% from 98. His kidney functions and other markers remain stable. After a follow-up call from Dr. Seidel and Dr. Siao (a Burke internist) we were now told that dad will have to go and be immediately admitted to White Plains Hospital for CAT scans, a blood transfusion and additional blood work up. Talk about a step back - this time with no COVID and not in a life threatening capacity. At the hospital he will be under the care of a hospitalist and a hematologist, Dr. Cho. They will do tests to see if dad has Hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells. Hemolysis can occur due to different causes and leads to the release of hemoglobin into the bloodstream. ... In some medical conditions, or as a result of taking certain medications, this breakdown of red blood cells is increased. When this was tested at Greenwich Hospital, called a Haptoglobin test, his numbers fell below 8. Although this is not #1 on the suspicious list of causes for dad, it is something that will be investigated. Also, Atazanavir is an antiretroviral medication used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS, was one that i am now learning that dad was given at Greenwich Hospital. They now say that results are now coming out that this medication is causing lowering of platelets and anemia in certain patients. This also will be investigated. So as dad was ready to go home today, we are learning to roll with the punches. He will now leave Burke and he will most likely be discharged from White Plains hospital once this is under control, hopefully just a few days. From there he will go home. Doctors are encouraged as dad is such a fighter and really has beed doing so well. So in the mean time, we keep praying and cheering for dad to make his way home.

6.30pm report: This afternoon my mom, sister and I all headed over to Burke to meet up with my dad as he was being transported over to White Plains Hospital. When we saw him he was in good spirits and ready to get going on this next phase of problems to attack. It was so great to be reunited with him - being able to get close - give hugs and especially hold his hand.

So once Mom rode with him in the ambulette and i followed in the car - Once at the hospital, i went in with dad to admitting - im so proud of him that along the way, i was sure to tell everyone (the ambulate driver, the valet guy, the information attendant, etc.) his story - “thats my dad - he turned 80 during his 9 day ventilator stint and has since beat COVID-19 and is now in the clear” We made our way to admitting and while waiting i snapped this… If you cant tell, we both had HUGE smiles on….

The only request I had was that dad get the bed near the window… He assured us that dad has his own room so the window is all his.. So he was picked up and off to his room with Nurse Zachary. Soon after i got home, dad called me with Dr. Schelker in the room. She is a Hospitalist Doctor. That is a physicians whose primary professional focus is the general medical care of hospitalized patients. She is totally up to speed on his blood count and its slow tickle down.. Within an hour there, have ordered a CAT scan as well as a full battery of bloodwork to be done. and as of Now, all the tests have been completed, we will wait for next steps. Oh, and dad has a suite there, with a big window.. its the little things…

7pm family report: Dr. Harish Guddati - a Gastro-Enterologist - came to examine dad and he said that he feels that he does not have internal bleeding - there would be some indicaltion of it through his excretions - he tested his bowels again and no indication of darkened bowels and no trace of blood in the stools at this time..We wait for blood and CAT scan results…

8.30pm report: Just got a phone call from Dr. Shelker. She mentioned that dads hemoglobin back up and was reading at 8.1 when he got to the hospital. The CAT scan showed a hematoma at the retroperitoneal location that was quite large. At this point there is not way of knowing if it is new or old blood so we are awaiting records from Greenwich Hospital so we can compare sizes. At this time, they are not finding any other bleeding. They will do additional labs in the morning and in the meantime they are also waiting for more extensive labs to come in the morning… For now, he is comfortable and patient. Good night.

11.30pm Family report: Dad just called after he heard from the Dr. on call. His Hemoglobin dropped now to 7 and now they are going to order a blood transfusion. I immediately called the unit and spoke with Nurse Jaq and she indicated that the bloods taken at 5.11pm reported hemoglobin at 8.1 and hematocrit at 24.7. The latest bloods taken at 10pm show hemoglobin at 7 and hematocrit at 22. All of his other vitals look strong at this point. I waiting a call from a Dr. on call now. Dad is ok and understands that this needs to be done.