Doug still feels really crummy but his neutrophil count today was 248! All his counts are still very very low and will be for quite some time, but the upward trend is exciting!
He is still having fevers but the high temp today was 101.3, so that is encouraging. He was off the oxygen for part of the day; he still needs it at intervals due to shallow breathing. The doc still heard the rattle in Doug's chest but isn't really worried about that; he expects it to correct itself once Doug is more active.
His electrolytes are all messed up and are being replaced every day. At one point today, I counted ten bags hanging on the IV poles -- two pumps and all three of his central line lumens were being used. It takes hours to infuse all the fluids he needs. He is very dehydrated for several reasons -- the fevers, bad diarrhea, vomiting, and not being able to drink enough.
Doug's attitude remains good. When I got there this morning, he was sitting up drinking Ensure; he had ordered it himself on the phone. Unfortunately, he vomited later but that also will lessen with time.
An Occupational Therapist came to see Doug today. OT is similar to, and work closely with, physical therapy. She explained that they are being proactive and want to make sure patients don't lose what strength they came in with. She did an assessment by asking Doug to push and pull with his legs and arms against her arms. She said that Doug seems to have pretty good strength and what he really needs at this point is to try to extend the time he spends out of bed and especially to walk. He did go for a walk today of maybe 200 feet -- way to go Dougie! The fatigue is supposed to get better slowly - the docs say it really takes months to get back to 'normal'. OT will check on him two or three times a week. The job of OT is to make sure the patient will be able to handle "daily living" activities when they get home.
Doug's hair is falling out quickly. Today his shirt looked like an animal pelt, ugh. I think he's going to look cute with a bald head.
He is still having fevers but the high temp today was 101.3, so that is encouraging. He was off the oxygen for part of the day; he still needs it at intervals due to shallow breathing. The doc still heard the rattle in Doug's chest but isn't really worried about that; he expects it to correct itself once Doug is more active.
His electrolytes are all messed up and are being replaced every day. At one point today, I counted ten bags hanging on the IV poles -- two pumps and all three of his central line lumens were being used. It takes hours to infuse all the fluids he needs. He is very dehydrated for several reasons -- the fevers, bad diarrhea, vomiting, and not being able to drink enough.
Doug's attitude remains good. When I got there this morning, he was sitting up drinking Ensure; he had ordered it himself on the phone. Unfortunately, he vomited later but that also will lessen with time.
An Occupational Therapist came to see Doug today. OT is similar to, and work closely with, physical therapy. She explained that they are being proactive and want to make sure patients don't lose what strength they came in with. She did an assessment by asking Doug to push and pull with his legs and arms against her arms. She said that Doug seems to have pretty good strength and what he really needs at this point is to try to extend the time he spends out of bed and especially to walk. He did go for a walk today of maybe 200 feet -- way to go Dougie! The fatigue is supposed to get better slowly - the docs say it really takes months to get back to 'normal'. OT will check on him two or three times a week. The job of OT is to make sure the patient will be able to handle "daily living" activities when they get home.
Doug's hair is falling out quickly. Today his shirt looked like an animal pelt, ugh. I think he's going to look cute with a bald head.
The photos I took today of the rash -- it really was more impressive yesterday. It covers his entire body. The specialist came again to look and he thinks it is slowly going away. I agree. We are so thankful that it doesn't bother Doug. I did ask his permission to post photos of his tummy!
I am tired but hanging in there. I feel that I
am being supported by prayer -- thanks all!
I am tired but hanging in there. I feel that I
am being supported by prayer -- thanks all!.jpg)
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