Thursday, June 2, 2011

Downhill Slide

Yesterday was a tough day. We began packing for our much anticipated trip to San Diego. Jeff woke up exhausted and spent most of the morning taking it easy downstairs. In the afternoon he mustered up enough energy to attempt to climb our steep spiral staircase.

The rest of the afternoon and most of the night was nothing less than a nightmare. Jeff passed out on the stairs, we called 911, he was brought to the MGH ER after he was found to have a very low blood pressure. Results of his blood tests confirmed he had a very low platelet count and a very low red blood cell count concerning for an active bleed.

He underwent a CT scan which confirmed Jeff was bleeding into his belly. They gave him blood, platelets, more blood and called in the General surgery team and the Interventional radiology team.

They explained to us that one of the arteries in the liver was bleeding because of an enlarging tumor and he also had two small clots in his lungs which made his oxygen level low.

They immediately took Jeff to the radiology suite where they evaluated the bleeding in his liver and were able to cut off the arterial blood supply to the portion of his liver that was bleeding. They also placed a filter or what looks like a small metal umbrella in the inferior vena cava (the large vein in his body) to prevent a large clot from traveling to his lungs.

Jeff was given 5 units of red blood cells so far and platelets and will likely need more. They are keeping a very close watch on him.

We have placed our California trip on hold for now and I will keep you all updated.

Autumn

20 comments:

  1. Autumn and Jeff -
    I know you don't know me and Jeff may not remember me, but I wanted to let you both know you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I cannot possibly imagine what you both are going through. I lived next door to Jeff and Kimberly when we were little and they lived in Houston. I have been following Jeff's blog and cannot tell you how much admiration I have for Jeff. To read this blog and Jeff's struggle breaks my heart. Nobody deserves this, but his fight and will to live, his strength and his humor is unlike no other. Jeff, you deserve nothing but the best. I pray for you and that you will find peace in the midst of all this.

    Marie Dimakopoulos

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  2. Thinking of you guys always. Love you. Xoxo

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  3. My thoughts are with you, Autumn. You've all been so strong through this.

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  4. Autumn & Jeff –

    You both continue to be so brave in the face of all this adversity. I love you both very much, and know that Scott and I think of you every day and are keeping you in our prayers. Jeff – you are my eternal hero and inspiration – I love you so much!

    -Linda

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  5. Thinking of you guys. Please let me know if you need anything.

    -Derek

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  6. Autumn, you are as much in my thoughts and prayers as Jeff is. I'm so very sad that this has happened when you were going to go on your trip, which I know Jeff wants to go on so badly. I send my love and await to hear news that he has recovered from this latest setback.

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  7. You are both in my thoughts on a daily basis. I hope Jeff feels better! let him know that he has touched many people and forever changed lives. My prayers are with both of you.

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  8. Thinking of you guys...Bianca

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  9. Thinking and praying for you -
    Much Love,
    Sheri

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  10. I think about all of you each day. Your are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Love,
    Rachel

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  11. I check and read this blog daily and can only say that I wish you all the best . Stay strong!

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  12. Thinking and praying for you all.
    Love,
    Kayla

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  13. Thanks for the update. We will continue to keep both of you and the fmailes in our thoughts and prayers.

    Kevin C.

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  14. Thank you for the updates. Your courage is inspiring to us all.

    Lou Hirsch, and Franci Gardner Hirsch

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  15. Hi Autumn, I think about you and Jeff a lot and continue to send positive vibes and love your way. I hope to see you guys soon! xoxo, Golda

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  16. Thinking of you both and your whole family every minute of the day....we love you and are here for you if you need anything at all.

    Love, Michael & Natalie

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  17. Jeff and Autumn,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you both. You are a strong team.

    Sandy P.

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  18. Stay strong!
    We love you both -- and Benson too!
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you always.
    Breathe in Hope, Breathe out Love.
    xox,
    Your Sarasota Fan Club
    (Alli, Marc, Spencer & Claire -- Jaeger - woof - too!)

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  19. Autumn,
    I only met Jeff a few times at Integra and just heard the news. I have read the entire blog and have found inspiration by his energy, optimism and compassion for life. We are all praying for him and hoping for the best. Never give up.

    Leslie K.

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  20. Autumn and Jeff, I don't know either one of you, and only discovered Jeff's blog while doing internet research on round-cell tumors. I have read the entire blog and have hoped against hope that Jeff's tumors would respond to treatment. His honesty and his sense of humor about this whole horrible situation have moved me from tears to laughter more than once. You are both in my thoughts and prayers always. Stay strong.

    Sharon D.

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