A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Sunday was as a relatively down day on the 6th floor floor of the University of Iowa hospital. Few procedures take place unless they we're of the urgent nature. Even so there was plenty of activity with every room occupied at this popular medical facility. A stellar moment for me was getting to go to the "big shower room" where I was able to take a shower for the fist time in a week. It was a transforming experience and I suspect all of the people who ended up close to me noticed a the more floral essence of my persona. Sometimes it's the little things!

After the body cleansing, Carolyn and I went to the gift store where my eyes bugged out at all the Hawkeye swag on display. I included a photo of me with my purchase, a new Iowa Baseball cap that has a deep tie to a memorable story. It goes like this. Nearly two decades ago, I was at a party in the Quad Cities held for the Iowa Illinois Football game that day. The Hawks put it away early much to my approval. One of the guests noted I had worn my basic black Iowa hat that day with the Gold I in the middle, (as one does out of pride for his team). I had the hat molded smartly to my skull and it just fit perfectly. Best hat I ever had! Well, this guest, (a lady) strolled by, and swiped it off my head. She left the room and hid it. Straight up, that is horrendous hat etiquette and I was none too thrilled. An hour or so later, I asked for it back. She said sure, left the room, came back and handed it to me. The gold I for Iowa had been transformed to an orange one making it fighting Illini colors. Seeing it my face turned as orange as the I on that hat. I said woman, do you realize you defamed and destroyed my favorite hat that I have worn with pride for 9 years. Did you know, I wore it the day my kid was born. For god sake! What is wrong with you?

Mortified, it took me 18 years to finally find the perfect hat to rightfully take it's place. Today, (18 years later) I strolled through the 6th floor hospital halls slow and easy with it properly tipped atop my head. My crown was back where it belonged, a moving moment that needed to be shared. I'm back baby. Long live the crown.

The final part of my day was hearing again that the cultures grown locally with my blood, indicated that a bacterial infection was still floating around in my blood stream. Until I can have a day with all cultures negative for bacteria, I am stuck here in ward 6, biding time. I did speak to Caitlin Haekl about it who is a first year resident physician. She's a rising star out of Texas and has been on my case since the git-go. She told me it was her belief that the plan formulated to attack the infection was solid and we stay the course and to keep my dobber up. It's that type of attitude that drives my team and keeps me pushing. Dr Haekl is a real peach with plenty of personality. Here's a bit more about her story and how it relates to me.

Dr Kaitlin Haekl talking infection strategy with me

Dr. Caitlin Haekl left family and friends behind when she packed up her cat, Paul, dog Shrimp, and moved from Texas to Iowa City. For a young first year resident it was a remarkable leap of faith, but one she was completely committed to making. ""I forgot everything else after I interviewed with the University of Iowa Hospitals. Not only was this one of the best places to be in the country, but I found a very supportive community waiting for me."

Dr. Haekl has been a critical part of solving the "Terry Swails' Mystery." She notes it has been a complicated journey with different theories bandied about and different roads started and stopped. "This was a huge mystery," agreed Dr. Haekl. To put her medical detective skills to work, Dr. Haekl availed herself of the wealth of medical experts at the University of Iowa Hospitals. "I consulted a number of different medical teams," explained Dr. Haekl. "It was up to us to take in all the recommendations and then make a group determination."  She adds that most people would probably be amazed at the wealth of medical expertise available to her and other physicians.

Drilling down into Terry's medical history, the link was made between an infection that hospitalized him a decade ago and his current situation. The culprit? A bacteria called Staph Aureus. "This is a pretty unique situation," said Dr. Haekl. "I've only heard of this one other time. While the bacteria is common, this situation is certainly not."

The belief is that Staph Aureu camped out inside Terry for a decade quietly laying plans for its next attack. Why after ten years it decided to grow again and attach itself to his organs, is still a mystery. 

Dr. Haekl is one of a number of incredible physicians who came together to diagose and propose a course of treatment. She considers herself to be at a place that is progressive, values academics, and "never turns anyone away." As a young person who fosters at risk dogs, that compassion fits right in her personal beliefs and values. "It's an absolute honor to work here," she says.

By the way, you may have heard of another Caitlin on campus that played basketball for Iowa with the last name Clark. While my Dr. Kaitlin may not have the same 3 point shot, she's just as deadly at tracking down bacterial opponents. Kaitlin Haekls dad, who is a big Hawkeye fan, got a kick out of the fact his daughter and the famed hoops star were at the same school for a time. Luckily for me, the one that remains at Iowa and works on my case, will someday make a big name for herself without a basketball.

ACTIVE WEATHER INTO MIDWEEK

Weatherwise, the next 2-3 days still indicate the potential for scattered thunderstorms, some of which could be severe. Monday's storms look to be hit and miss in nature with the primary threat through the day in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It will be a warm muggy day. Here's Mondays severe risk from SPC.

Tuesday appears to be a more probable day for storms with a cap much of the day allowing highs in the upper 70s to low 80s. Dew points in the mid 60s will drive CAPE that may approach 3,000 j/kg. If convection can fire by evening storm in that environment would rapidly become severe. Still, lots of dry hours ahead of any storms.

Here's Tuesday's severe risk from SPC.

After that, little change in the upper air pattern will promise additional rounds of showers and storms through the weekend into next week. Here's what guidance indicates for rain totals the next 2 weeks.

The EURO

The GFS

Julie my nurse is here to check vitals. Time for me to hit the hay after that. I'm hoping to do a full body PET scan later Monday. Yipee. Roll weather...TS