Day +21-Still in hospital

Q-So, tell me again why you are in the hospital?

A-Well, yesterday started out OK, but turned dirty-rotten when Deb began tossing cookies in the clinic. She spiked a fever and had to be rolled directly to a treatment room in an office chair. Multiple APNs looked concerned. As I was sitting in  the treatment room looking at Deb, a bright red rash slowly crept up her neck and face. I grabbed our nurse who grabbed her APN who grabbed Dr van Rhee. Is that considered 'passing the rash?'

Anyway, Dr van Rhee looked at Deb, looked at labs, scratched his head and told Deb she was a brain teaser! He suggested two days in the hospital to try and settle Deb's basics down. Deb protested since she knew how infectious hospitals are. He relented and said she didn't have to go in since 'we are so responsible.' We think that means we keep records and take our meds when told to do so. After he left, we conferred with our APNs and discussed life out of the hospital and the possibilities. We changed our minds and agreed it would be wise. So, about 7 pm they rolled Deb over to the 7th floor cancer wing of the hospital. There was no room in the myeloma ward and 2 other myeloma patients are over her with us. Room is fantastic with a view anyone would like. It is directly across from the nurses station. Vern bedded down on the pull out couch. There was very little sleep because  every time we went to sleep a nurse, doctor,or tech came in, turned the lights on, and administered meds or a test. 

But, some nasty meds were administered slowly and without danger because the staff was monitoring us. 

This morning Deb was feeling much better. Our first daylight guest was Dr van Rhee who did a checkup. Then Deb had transfusions, IVs of all sorts. Therapists, counselors, administrators, and a team of five doctors and pharmacists came in and held court in planning Deb's treatment. She went to the CT scan for a complete body scan. When we finally got back to the room about 4pm, we heard that a room in the myeloma wing had opened up and we were moving over there.

To Be continued after the move-Vern

FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: We got packed up and ready to move, then sat and waited for hours. Eventually, we got our new room in  the Myeloma wing. Last night more labs, pokes, meds. It is now Friday morning and looking out the window we see a cold rain falling. There is an SEC  football game next door to the hospital tomorrow. Arkansas Razorbacks vs 'Ole Miss. Temps are forecast to be around thirty. The tailgaters will be chilly-willy. We are next door to the room Deb spent eleven days in several years ago. We do not want to stay that long! When shift change occurred last night, our previous nurse from the other wing of the hospital where Deb had been came over to make sure all was well. 

This morning the rash on Deb's back was worse. It had mostly cleared up. It's just 07:45 am here, so no labs back yet. Stay tuned!

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Dr just examined Deb- We will be here for the weekend he said.

White Count-below 2 is neutrapenic and indicates Deb's vulnerability for infection.
Platelets -a whitish colored component of blood. Low platelets=higher Woozy factor!
CRP -An indicator of relative health. Lower is better. When the number creeps up, Deb could be getting sick.
Day  White Count  Platelets  CRP

0         0.04               29              12.8
1         0.07               15              77.0
2         0.03               42            140.3
3         0.07               27            144.1
4         0.23               52            206.0
5         1.21               33            168.2
6         2.32               26            214.0
7         2.29               11            209.3
8         2.84               25            230.2
9         2.32               12            234.1
10       2.66               24            220.1
11       2.50               15            196.0
12       2.54               28            186.0
13       1.98               18            181.0
14       1.22               28            199.9
15       0.95               20            138.6
16       0.83               32            129.4
17       0.86               22            121.4
18       0.70               12            110.3 
19       0.55                9             159.2
20       0.75              14             162.9
21       0.36              26             127.9