Three weeks ago this journey started in the Bon Secours Hospital ER and after a most turbulent and unsettling chain of events since the last post, I got some good news and hugs from an ICU nurse. First, an Infectious Disease (ID) team, like a Greek Chorus, solemnly came in bemoaning that Yuri is a very sick man. They didn’t know the cause and said he had no infections, (always look at the bright side of life, right?) Nevertheless, a very sick man. I get it.
They look at things from a clinical perspective whereas yesterday we had a meeting of great minds (including Yuri) where the medical hierarchy was explained, what these ID consultants are looking at, and what the treatment plan will be. Yuri’s eyes followed the conversation, my concerns were answered, and when the doctor finally said, “if this was my relative, I would do it.” I gave consent.
The pieces are falling into place. This morning I got a call that all is well with Yuri and the doctor told me that she sees him being very strong – his lungs are healing and working. He is cognizant and understands where he is and why he’s there. Very positive and hopeful that his other organs will recover. They are slowly weaning him off the ventilator. A good friend working with patients recovering from the ventilator is coming onboard as a rehab specialist. He will need to be ready for what will be coming next.
One in a million. An extremely rare form of systemic Vasculitis that affects small- and medium-sized vessels in many organs but most commonly affects the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and kidneys. The cause is unknown. So rare. It affects one in a million. Yuri never does anything ordinary. A very complicated man. Currently, he is on treatment that will last a few weeks to stem the tide of this insidious systemic disorder. It’s wait and see.
But it’s a miracle from where we were three weeks ago when we came into the ER at Bon Secours. It’s the best news in three weeks. The prayers and good wishes have gotten us this far and I am very grateful to all the good people, good family, and friends. I am elated, remaining cautiously optimistic along with the doctors and the nurse that hugged me. Yuri and I spent a quiet visit together with relief plainly fixed on our faces. On my way home, I did buy a lottery ticket.
