Garry has been in hospital for a full week at this point.
He is on E5020 in a positive pressure isolation room at SBGH. He is on what is called reverse isolation and is able to have visitors as long as they wash their hands before entering his room and it’s also recommended that they wear a mask.
The days are long and I know he would appreciate a visit from those who are interested in seeing him.
His situation is still critical as his bone marrow is still not producing any white cells.
The white cells are what protect us and give us immunity against infections. They are planning to give Garry a blood transfusion today to help give his body a boost.
The bone marrow results are still forthcoming, but they feel that the bone marrow has stopped producing white cells. It is, however, producing platelets and red cells.
They still don’t know what has caused the neutropenia, but are thinking it is may be related to previous chemotherapy treatments and possibly the CAR-T therapy that Garry had in 2021 in Toronto.
He currently is not running a fever, however, they are still giving him intravenous Vancomycin and Meropenem which are heavy duty antibiotics. The last three days they have given him injections of Grastofil, which is a product that helps the bone marrow produce white blood cells. He is also receiving Gamma globulin to bolster his immunity.
They are still trying to get his pain under control, and I have asked for a consult with Dr Gingerich, the pain specialist, who saw him in the Cancer Care pain clinic.
Garry’s ostomy site has also become somewhat painful and we had the ostomy nurse come the last two days to help resolve that problem. They may do a CT scan to make sure he doesn’t have an intestinal blockage or a hernia that is contributing to this pain.
They also are talking about giving Garry prednisone to help treat the possible Crohn’s. However they are still not certain that is what has caused all the perianal abscesses, fistulas, and pain in that area. The current thinking is this may be an autoimmune response resulting from prior cancer treatments.
Tomorrow’s highlight for Garry will be a visit from our hairdresser Shannon, who is making a special trip to the hospital so Garry can look his very best. I already think he looks pretty amazing, and he is doing so much better than when he was first admitted. He is no longer confused and is like himself again.
I am very happy to see such a significant improvement and we are so thankful for all of the amazing medical care he has received to date. All of his nurses and doctors have been so kind and caring and we are grateful to all of them.
If you would prefer not to receive these blog posts, please just let me know, and I will take you off of our support list.
For those of you who have touched base with us, we so appreciate your support, encouragement, and continued prayers.
God is our healer, He is with us, He is for us, and He will never leave us. Knowing that has made all the difference for Garry and I, and in spite of everything that is happening we are at peace and know that everything will be OK.
Thank you for being part of our journey.
With love and thankfulness,
Shirley and Garry
Authored by:
Nana to Parker, Easton, Dane & Clark
Mom to Eric & Scott
Loving wife to Garry
Hi Shirley. Thanks for the update and glad to hear some progress is being made. I like the new Director of Communications style of writing. We keep praying and thinking of you both daily. We will be in Winnipeg early July and would love to spend some time with him and have a coffee with you. We will reach out when we get closer and see what can be arranged. Love you both. W&J 😎😎❤️❤️😎😎
Thanks Wayne, we’d love to connect when you’re in town.
Thank you Shirley for taking the time to keep us posted on Garry’s condition. We believe that our loving God still answers prayers. Please know that I am praying for you both.
Thanks Wayne for all your prayers, have a blessed summer.