Well we went into the week quite optimistic after the good
test results. Steve questioned the specialist whether it meant he would only
need 6 cycles rather than 8 cycles but he said that was not necessarily the
case.
I dare say he was disappointed with that news – it would have
meant that after this next cycle he would only have 2 more – somehow this
seemed more bearable.
He had a day of feeling down about the thought of more cycles
but in his usual amazing manner made the adjustment and accepted he may be in
for 4 more instead.
The week in hospital started well – he enjoyed visits from a
few different faces and phone calls as well.
He commenced his treatment a day later this time as his doctor
had planned for him to have his stem cell extracted after the treatment. The later
start he said would be better.
For that procedure he will be required to have daily
injections at home to prepare him for the stem cell procedure which is to take
place this Friday.
He finished his treatment last Saturday and went home again
happy. He was glad that during the first couple of days home he wasn’t vomiting
but somehow he seemed even flatter and more fatigued than usual.
It was hard to tell at first – was it worse or was it always
that bad during the first couple of days? On the Tuesday he went to have his
usual blood taken and dressing changed but this was in fact a day earlier in
his recovery than usual.
The trip into the hospital was difficult. You see anything
more than a short trip to the bathroom and back was taxing on his body – so to
North Adelaide and back was big.
The nurses took one look at him and predicted he would need
some extra blood. He was very pale and low.
That afternoon they confirmed he would need to go in on Wednesday
for a top up.
Around 5pm I noticed he looked paler and began to have the
shakes.
I knew this was indicative of a temperature – but the
reading was only 36.5.
Within about 30 minutes this had risen to 37.8 and a little
while after to 38 degrees.
We knew from our last incident that anything over 38 he was
to go straight to hospital.
So that’s what we did.
It seems the Part B of the HyperCVAD treatment is much more taxing on his body.
It seems the Part B of the HyperCVAD treatment is much more taxing on his body.
He wasn’t happy but knew it was best.
They put him straight on antibiotics and took more blood.
Yesterday they confirmed he does have an infection and today
will hopefully be more specific with antibiotics.
It was hard watching him with his shakes and discomfort
while his temperature spiked.
I can’t imagine how hard it was for him coping with not only
the toxic effect from his chemo but the infection on top.
But you know even after he was very sick from the
temperature, it didn’t take him long to smile. He seemed to be grateful for just
feeling that bit better.
He is truly an amazing man.
Even the nurse on said he was special.
Not everyone goes through such a tough treatment with his
ability to still find something to smile about.
But don’t get me wrong he is certainly feeling the
difficulty of this very harsh regime.
As I write this, I can tell you he has just had a good night
– he slept well and his temperature has dropped a little – hopefully all good
signs that the infection is on its way out.
The doctor said he could still have his stem cell
preparation on Friday so that’s good news.
For now they’ll keep him in hospital until he is well and
truly over his infection because the intravenous approach works much more
effectively.
Now we just have to find ways to relieve a little more of
the boredom that sets in with long hospital stays.
I’ll keep you posted on when he is ‘free’ again,
Warmest regards and thanks for everyone’s wishes and
thoughts,
Tricia