CRP - Word for the Day - Sunday, June 21, 2009

CrP (My pronunciation -- crap)

Definition: C-reactive protein is a test that measures the amount of a protein in the blood that signals acute inflammation.

Alternative Names
CRP; High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; hs-CRP

How the test is performed

Blood will be taken from a vein, usually from the inside of your elbow or the back of the hand. The health care provider will clean the area with a germ-killing product (antiseptic). An elastic band may be placed around your arm. The band helps apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to swell with blood.

The health care provider will insert the needle into your vein. Blood collects into an air-tight container or syringe connected to the needle. While the blood is flowing into the container, the band is removed to restore circulation.

Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.

At the laboratory, your blood sample is mixed with a liquid called an antiserum, which contains substances that looks for the specific protein.

ChemoSabe missed his Velcade shot on Tuesday as his CRP was up to 26.5. That is incredibly high since normal is <5. He has a low grade infection which is a cyst. He was given an strong antibiotic last Tuesday. He did the shot on Friday, even though his CRP was still at 23.5. He isn't suppose to get them when infection is present.

Friday he developed a racking cough as he did in March which developed into walking pneumonia. We didn't let it stop us. We went to son's yesterday for a cookout. ChemoSabe was quite irritable with a couple of people. I got them off to the side and explained his meds and the mood changes it makes him have.

We had plans to run up to Heber on the bikes. I took mine down to the car wash and he followed on his. He didn't even get off it. That is when I began to notice he really wasn't up to par.

After getting home he rather would take a nap instead of detailing his bike. My second clue. He sat in the recliner for an hour or so, then up to bed. My third sign.

Hacking cough, fever, chills. Loaded him up with NyQuil. He rested well, but with difficulty breathing. I prayed it would not drop to his chest. This morning was better. He was still in bed at 11:00. He did eat some bacon and biscuits and juice. Checked fever at 4:30 -- 101.5. Not high enough to call the client.

Straight back upstairs for bed again. I was cleaning out my sock drawer and he laid right on top of the pile. That's one way to run me out of the bedroom.

I was in the process of making two pumpkin pies and a roast. So, I was up and down stairs all day. He got up around 7:00 and came downstairs sniffing around the pies. Cut him a piece and loved it... Cut another piece and didn't eat any roast.

Back to bed at 9:30 with temp dropping to 99. He is sweating like a water bottle. He is soak n wet. I made him go take a shower with hopes of him feeling better. I didn't think he would make it back upstairs. He is so weak.

I really don't see him going in tomorrow. He has labs on Tuesday.

As I watched him today in his recliner, I could see the difficulty he had with breathing. It reminded me of mom and Sharon. I then realized that it could only take a second for his illness to go in the bad direction. I can't live without him.

The Velcade, Dex and Revlidmid all together makes one's immune system drop. Let's hope this 'head cold' doesn't drop and become something more serious. The days he feels like this are the hardest because all he does is complaint and moan and groan. That is not his nature.

I did get a lot of house work done today. Got all the clothes washed, the dogs bathed, the cages cleaned and the tank scrubbed. I am really for bed, but don't know if I can sleep.

I am glad we didn't get to ride today. It would have been extremely too hot for him.

I had an old, old friend pass away on Thursday. Known him and his family since 1970. Friday was his 58 birthday. He drank himself to death. So sad. Please think of their family. They called him Scooter Bill. I called him Ronnie. He has a twin, Donnie.

I will keep you posted on ChemoSabe's illness.

Don't forget, your test is forthcoming.

Good evening and Love -- Pepper