July 21, 2003
Friends,
The last 2 days, the marathon has been like a 2 mile uphill run--both ways. Friday night, I developed a high fever and chills. The highest has been 104 F. Fever and chills have continued intermittently through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, with a lot of nausea. I've been bed bound since yesterday. I have a skin fungal infection, for which I am getting a potent antibiotic, which can cause chills and fever. The doctors are also concerned with the possibility of an infection in my central line. Many hours were spent trying to insert a new one on my left side, so that they could remove the one on the right side. The last attempt was done with ultrasound--to no avail. The right upper arm area still has a clot which hasn't resolved. . It is very important for them to be able to get a new central line in, so that they can remove the other one, so more attempts may be made during the night.
We have had success at something! We've been able to get the INR level up to 2--which is the therapeutic level needed to be maintained for 2 days before I can get off the Heparin drip
I'm still having rashes, but they don't know if they are drug related, or from the fever. Around 3 am this morning, I passed out in the bathroom. Luckily, I was sitting down, and Menchie was with me and called for help, and with the help of 2 nurses, I was able to get back to the bed without further incident.
Yesterday, I had a RBC and a platelet transfusion.
My parents are still here, and my brother Bob and his family arrived yesterday. My sister, Kathleen and her son, Ricky flew in today as well. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do much socializing. Bob and Kathleen had blood drawn today do the HLA test--to check for a bone marrow match. It will take 3 weeks to get the test results.
Lab Results |
||||
Blood Cell Type |
|
|
|
|
| WBC | 4.5 | .3 | .1 | .2 |
| RBC | 4.30 | 2.41 | 2.36 | 2.69 |
| HGB | 13.9 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 8.4 |
| PLT | 130 | 25 | 56 | 87 |
I'm hoping for a good night, and a better day tomorrow!
Until next time!
Ted
kg/mc/TW (Menchie and Kathleen have taken the liberty to write this update, since I am running an uphill marathon)
tw@wilcoxent.com