Kumar’s March 16 Update
Dear Friends,
Sameer’s condition continues to remain serious but is stable. His status as of this morning is as follows:
- He has not yet woken up. He is responding to us from time to time. When I was massaging his legs this morning, he opened his eyes for a very few seconds but closed them again. Later when Reena was holding his hand and talking to him sweetly, he opened his eyes again but very briefly. He is not able to squeeze our hands when asked. While we get very happy to see even a small response from him, we are not sure how much of it is conscious. We hope that he can hear us and the small flashes are consciously driven.
- His temperature, blood pressure and heart rate are fine. This is encouraging since it (particularly the lack of any fever) implies that the antibiotics are working in keeping the infection in check. All his blood cultures have been negative (no bacteria growth) except for March 3, 7 and 9. They culture a blood sample for five days and generally see the bacteria growth, if any, by day 3 or 4. This means that there are no detectable bacteria in his blood at least since the 12th.
- His white blood counts and neutrophils are a below the measurement thresh hold (they are practically zero). We need his immune system to start recovering but it might take some time (1-2 weeks) in spite of getting daily injections of GCSF (growth factor).
- His medical team continues to weigh the risk-benefit of another lumbar puncture which will tell us if the bacteria are eliminated from the central nervous system (CNS). So far they have decided not to do a lumbar puncture due to a finite risk of bleeding and spinal injury.
- The source of his infection was identified on March. 4 as a common bacterium called coagulase negative staph which all of us have on our skins. It does not cause problems for people with normal immune systems. Because he has no white blood cells right now, the antibiotics need to do all of the work to get him well. He was getting two antibiotics: linezolid and rifampin which have good penetration through the blood-brain barrier. They recently have replaced rifampin with a newer antibiotic called daptomycin since rifampin is known to affect the liver adversely.
- We are concerned about his liver. His bilirubin level has increased to 17 or so. We understand that there is nothing that can be done to help the liver. We hope that as his organs recover, the liver will improve as well. In the meantime, we are feeding him some fresh coconut water through a stomach tube when possible.
- He had been on a daily dialysis regimen of 8 hours but they have reduced it to 4 hours since 2 days ago, They are removing 2-3 KG of fluid with dialysis and his swelling (due to fluid retention) is much less. In particular, his face looks much more like him again. The kidney doctors are satisfied with his dialysis and will consider dialysis on alternate days to allow his kidneys a chance to recover.
- They having been taking a chest x-ray every morning and his lungs are fine.
- Sameer has a tube inserted to keep his airways clear (intubation) since the normal gag response is absent. He has some ventilator support at night (so that his lungs do not get tired) even though he is able to breathe on his own and maintain a good blood oxygen level. The doctors are pretty sure that they can remove the tube once he wakes up.
- We have requested the doctors to review again all possible options even though they have tried already many unconventional therapies to treat Sameer. They have assured us that they will review his case again next week and see if there is anything more they can do. I have appreciated their putting up with my questions and patiently explaining the treatment options in detail. The whole medical staff has been very kind and compassionate.
We are essentially in a hold mode waiting for Sameer to wake up. As I wrote in my last update (March 9), his situation is risky due the danger of developing a lung infection which quickly proves to be fatal for most people.
We all enjoyed the Bombay family video Bimal sent to us. We played it for Sameer hoping he could hear it. It gives the impression that everyone likes to party with Sameer! We also shared the video with some of Sameer’s visiting friends as well as some of the nurses. Thank you for sending your love to Sameer and thanks to Bimal for putting it all together.
Reena and I have spent most of our time in the ICU and the hospital. Sunita has come to visit a few times to spend time with Sameer in spite of her own condition not being good. Reena’s mother has been visiting every day and helping Reena. Prashant is still recovering from a cold or flu. He has been talking to Reena and me on the phone to keep abreast, and also to Sameer once in a while. As a precaution, he is not meeting with any of us who are visiting Sameer for the fear of making us sick or carriers. He only meets people who are about to leave town after visiting Sameer. I think it is a wise precaution. He has to wait seven days after his last symptoms before he can visit Sameer.
Many of Sameer’s and Reena’s friends have taken long trips (from the east coast and California) to visit him. Melindah came on March 9 and left on Tuesday. Anamika left on Wednesday. Kruti and Anjali came on Thursday; Anjali leaves this afternoon and Kruti plans to leave tomorrow (Monday). Samir Jathwa came on Friday and is leaving today. Sonia visited for a day yesterday (Saturday). Also, Monica, Sharmila and Shana came yesterday and will leave today. I also met Jay (Bipin’s brother who lives in Seattle) waiting to see Sameer as I left the hospital this morning to go home for a shower. Several of my Seattle friends have visited also. Eli has been coming to visit regularly ever since Sameer has been in the hospital. Doug has been a constant source of support by keeping touch via phone and visits. Other friends who have come are Pran and Santosh, Ram Prasad and MP Singh. Many times we have so many people wanting to see Sameer and talk to him that they have had to take turns waiting outside. Many more friends have been following the web site and praying for Sameer’s recovery. The hospital staff and doctors have been very supportive and empathetic. I thank them all.
Please continue your prayers and keep sending positive thoughts Sameer’s way. I am sure that Sameer will recover. Take care.
Kumar Bhatia
March 16th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Dear Mr. Kumar Bhatia,
Here is the very good health prayer for Sameer with unflinching, unalloyed and total faith in God.
OHM ACHUTHANANDHA GOVINDA VISHNO NARAYANA AMRUTHA,
ROHAN MEI NASAYA ASESHAN ASU DHANVANTHARE HARE,
DHANVANTHARE HARE VISHNO NARAYANA NAMOSTHUTHE,
KRURAKGRAHAIHE PEEDITHANAM BAKHTHANAM ABAYAPPRADHAM,
SREEN RUSIMHUM MAHAVEERAM NAMAMI,
RINAMUKHTHAYE.
God Bless.
Love,
Vasan.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am
We are all praying for Sameer to get well.He will recover. He has a strong Will Power.
I have read somewhere that people who are unconcious can hear from their Skin.Speak to him,built up his will power. He will listen to you through his skin.I know it is difficult but dont loose heart.Talk with him.I am sure he will respond very soon.
Keep Faith in god and everything will be fine.
Jayesh R Gandhi
India
March 17th, 2008 at 9:18 am
Hi
I am a regular visitor to this site and keep checking for Sameer’s health.Sameer and his family is in my prayers. I really appreciate Sameer and his family’s strength in this regard.
March 17th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Dear Kumar Uncle,
I pray for Sameer’s health and recovery. As I am also having firm faith in ShriNathjibawa, I would recommend (if it has not been done so far) to place a “Uparano” you may have received from any haveli in India (or here in US - such as NY, NJ etc) near Sameer’s pillow, which will shower Shrinathji bawa’s blessings on him…If you do not have one, please contact me via email and I will mail one to you from my collection….
Jay Shree Krushn
March 17th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Dear Kumar Uncle,
Thank you again for the update, I’m happy to see that Samir’s condition remains stable. His body appears to be in a state of healing and i”m sure it will continue on towards getting stronger each day. As always, you all have my ferment positive wishes and prayers.
All the best,
Shalini
March 17th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Sending Wishes and prayers to Sameer and you all. I am sure Sameer will recover soon and will communicate with his loving family. Sameer is always in my prayers.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Hello Kumar,
Thank you for the update,its a very positive sign that Sameer opened his Eyes.Just keep talking to him and he will come out of this.
With so much love,faith and good wishes around him,he will recover soon.
Sameer is in our thoughts and prayers every day.
Please take care of yourself and the family too.
Best wishes
Sarika & Ravi
March 18th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I pray the Sameer recovers very soon. I wish you all the best! Keep talking to him and keeping his spirits up! I hope to hear from Sameer soon!!
March 18th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Thank you so much for the update. I know Sameer will recover just fine; I have faith… he just needs this time to relax. I will continue to pray for him and I can’t wait to finally meet him when he is better!! Stay positive.
JSK
March 19th, 2008 at 9:06 am
We hope that Sameer is doing a little better each day. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Thank you for updating all of us.
March 19th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Praying for a quick recovery. Hope to read of better news soon. Take care -Sudha
March 20th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Praying for you…Hoping for better news in next update
March 20th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
He is in my thoughts and prayers. I would like to help if possible. God bless!
March 21st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Dear Kumar uncle-
IT is relieving to know that Sameer is under the best quality care. It is nice to receive the updates and was happy to hear about the coconut juice. I hope the staff continues to nourish him with the essential nutrients. I noticed that he is trached/vented as per your update, if you need any help or suggestions (as I have dealt with this population) please contact me.
Hari Om-