As background to yesterday's post, Suzie's oncologist had ordered tests to determine the level of IgG antibodies in Suzie's body. FYI, we've since learned, via WebMD, that IgG antibodies are found in all body fluids. They are the smallest but most common antibody (75% to 80%) of all the antibodies in the body. IgG antibodies are very important in fighting bacterial and viral infections. In a normal person, you would expect to find 565–1765 mg per deciliter. The hospital determined that Suzie had only 41 mg per deciliter! Not good, so they decided to inject her with Gamma Globulin and give her immune system the temporary boost it needed.

Turns out that infusing Gamma Globulin can be tricky. She flushed heavily at first, so they stopped the drip for an hour, gave her an additional round of preparatory drugs, and began anew. She did not flush this time, but it appears that this round of injections, plus the high levels of prednisone she is taking, precipitated the rapid and dramatic rise in blood pressure. Not fun!

Anyway, she remains in the hospital and will probably be released on Wednesday. Her BP is still fluctuating, but has not gone above 170, and needs to be weaned from her IV medications and back onto pills.

Love to all,

Mike