This morning was a big deal for Deb who got the bandage off her backside where the bone marrow had been performed. That meant that she could sit in the bathtub for the first time since the bone marrow. However, we have to put the three connections in a baggie and cover Deb's shoulder with Cling Wrap so her upper connection doesn't get wet. Makes taking a bath interesting!
After we were seated in the chemo care area, the twenty tubes of blood were drawn. Ten go straight to Dr van Rhee's lab team. Three lab techs came in on a day off just to process those ten tubes. Then Dr van Rhee came in on his day off to work with Kristen in getting Deb some relief. Have you ever had four medical personnel come in on days off to take care of you? That's what happens at UAMS! We are so grateful! Thanks Team!
Deb had low blood pressure troubles all day. We had meds last night and IV's today to help boost BP. Dr van Rhee was in to ensure that Deb was not going Septic today. He now does not think she is. see http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000668.htm
Cathy was Deb's nurse today. She calls Deb 'girl friend'. We always enjoy her sense of humor combined with top-notch professional care.
Kristen and Dr van Rhee ordered another arterial blood test. The senior 'sticker' Joe came over and did the honors! He's good! Several years ago when Deb was crashing, he came to her bedside and helped get her though it. Thanks Joe!
Looking at the labs below you can see how low the platelets were today. Deb has to have special platelets that are crossmatched ... that means scarce! We joke that they have to walk to another state to get them! They usually order a day or more in advance to make sure Deb gets them. So today, platelets were ordered for Monday to give the blood lab time to locate and transport them. We have had blood products from as far away as Wisconsin. Thanks donors!
Dr van Rhee ordered a CT scan to rule out any pneumonia or sinus infection getting a toe hold inside Deb. She was not able to walk that distance so hospital transport got her back and forth to the Emergency Room where the weekend CT team is. Thanks transport team!
Dr van Rhee theorizes that Deb's blood supply is acidic and significantly reduces her oxygen carrying capacity. Deb had multiple IV's and meds to combat the acidity. Deb is breathing very fast because of this and that reduces her CO2 to very low levels.
It's amazing to see how chemistry is used in medicine! I used to think that experience and gray hair was the primary toolkit used in medicine but now I understand that data from chemical analysis is an important ingredient! As scientists, medicine is very much fact based.
In fighting the fevers of the last week or so, Deb and I have almost been overwhelmed at times. It has been very hard. We have encouraged one another in our imaginations that the fever was heat caused by the Killer Cells fighting and overcoming the cancer cells. So, the hotter Deb was, the more intense the internal battle! Of course, this is just our imaginations, not a medical fact.
To give us a break, Dr van Rhee decided we would not get the belly shot that causes all the fevers-the Intreluekin-2 shots. These small shots are extremely powerful! Like TNT in a vial!
We hope to only have minimal troubles tonight so perhaps we will get some sleep! Our schedule will have us up at 3:30am for an infuser change and some tylenol. We were very concerned about skipping the shot but were assured that others have had to skip shots because of fevers also.
We came home with the heavy infuser bag full of fluids which will infuse over 24 hours. We also have infusers for tonight. It sure is nice to be able to avoid being sent to the hospital. Being outpatient and caring for ourselves in our own housing allows us to not be in the high-infection area of a hospital. Deb wears a mask while coming and going into clinic. The chairs and equipment are disinfected between patients. Kristen was especially trying to keep us from being admitted because patients just do so much better out patient. However, if things go down hill, we will go into the hospital if necessary.
One of our classmates is an Austrian who is having serious issues. She saw us and came in for a visit. She has a special needs 10 year old staying with her parents in Austria. Her immigration status and insurance will end in 5 months and she needs a miracle!
Tomorrow, near the end of this season of treatment! Similar to today.
Blessings!
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
Wouldn't Dr. Owens be amazed at the medical advances? He would want to sit down with you, Vern, and have you explain it all. You and he had much in common. Praying! Mary
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