Dr. Smith called with the preliminary labs this morning. The really good news is Marsh can stay outpatient for now until or unless his medical needs exceed my (very limited) capabilities.

Marshall’s potassium is slightly low, his white blood cell count is fine, his sed rate and c-reactive protein are elevated (yet at the same level as his last round of labs from the June hospitalization), and we are still waiting on the blood culture.

The xray shows a medium, localized pleural effusion on the left lower side of his lung.

Dr. Smith has spoken at length with the Syracuse Cardiology team as well as Dr. Friedman in Boston. They agree that there is very little change from the June hospital discharge and the best way to proceed is to tap the lung before the cath while Marsh is sedated.

This means a medium owie for Marsh but the lingering pleural effusion is non-acute (unless the cultures come back differently) and related to the left lower pulmonary vein obstruction set to be dilated next week during the regularly scheduled “tune up” cath.

In the meantime, Marsh is resting and receiving o2 support as a “boost.” He is having violent coughing episodes and liquids seem to go straight to his lungs. He doesn’t have much of an appetite and has an intermittent low grade fever.

If you have a spare prayer or good thought to send, please do. We will send them right back when Marsh needs them a little less.

Hugs, love, and so many thanks❤❤❤❤❤❤