As part of the transplant process, Mom has to take her temperature every morning and night. Last night, her temperature reading indicated that she was running a bit of fever. Dad checked her temperature periodically during the night, but the fever still hadn't gone away by the morning. After stopping by the SCCA clinic today for her usual appointment, the doctors decided that Mom should return back to the UWMC hospital so that they can keep a closer eye on her.
The chemotherapy conditioning regimen is now catching up with her. She is extremely weak with very little energy; the fever certainly hasn't helped in that regard. They've put her on an additional broad-spectrum antibiotic to help fight off infections. At this point, they're not sure whether or not the fever was caused by an infection. She has been dehydrated lately so they have her on IV hydration, but are also trying to get her to drink more fluids on her own. She hasn't been real keen on eating or drinking much for the past few days.
With that said; things appear to be going as planned so far. We were told that she would likely have to return to the hospital at some point. Transplant patients often develop a fever following the chemotherapy. We don't know how long she will remain in the hospital, but have been told that six days or so is fairly typical. We have to wait for the transplanted stem cells to start producing before her condition will improve. In the mean time, she has a competent staff of nurses and doctors checking up on her every few hours.
Chris
To all of the Levan family - I was sorry to read the post this morning ... this one Chris wrote late last night. I know this is not an unusual situation for transplant patients. But after having watched Paula bounce (I've visualized her as Tigger in Winnie the Pooh)through many challenging times through previous months, it must be VERY hard to see her prett much stop eating and drinking, and becoming so weak.
ReplyDeleteI am very grateful she is in the hospital, for the sake of all of you. I hope it provides all of you (including Paula, of course) with some degree of comfort & security, knowing that she is surrounded by medical people who deal with this stuff all the time. Of course HAVING to be in the hospital is no fun, and we all look forward to the time when this is in the past, and Paula is well and whole, and home (or at least 'home-away-from-home') again.
Sent with loving prayers for you all.
Please greet Paula with a hug and kiss for me (if that's allowed!)
Blessings,
Lynn-Marie
PS - Chris, got the e-mail with the mailing address. Thanks. I presume I should just use that address, even when your Mom is in the hospital ... and your Dad will take things I mail to her at the hospital, as allowed? If that's not correct, please let me know at
Lynn-Marie.Peashka@Live.Com
Thanks
Thank you for the update. I am sorry to hear things became more challenging for all of you. This kind of battle is not easy even in the best of circumstances. How wonderful you have a great hospital and excellent care at your disposal. It is reassuring to know Paula has such a wonderful family to support her as she goes through this ordeal. Please give Paula a hug for me and let her know my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. Sally
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