Day 13Now that we are on the other side of down slide, it looks like each day will be a little better than the last.
The big news today is the white blood cell counts jumping from 2.71 to 5.23. This makes her neutrophils 3.87. For the first time in a many days, there is not an “L” next to these numbers. Her platelets are lagging behind and actually dropped again from 26 to 23. She is continuing to get extra potassium and magnesium.
- White blood cells rising.jpg (61.56 KiB) Viewed 570 times
She is certainly feeling a little better. Her throat hurts less and her eyes seem more open. She still has some nausea and the diarrhea is holding on. Mostly, she is very tired. She is still having some swelling in her ankles and feet. She is more alert, though, I would say she is a few seconds behind in what is going on and we have to be aware of saying things clearly and making sure she takes it in.
Last night, the nurse buzzed her hair. It was coming out steadily and her pillow and sheets were covered in hair. The nurse was very sweet. Even though she was very busy, she offered to do it and took good care with the process. My mom was prepared with a number of hats, which she has been collecting.
My Dad and I were here when the NP came in this morning. They discussed the diarrhea and the swelling. She would consult with the doctor about the plan for today.
After an attempt at a few bites of scrambled eggs, she got up and cleaned up with the pleasantly warmed CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) wipes and put on actual pajamas for the first time since Monday. (Bring pajamas that button up the front – this makes it easier for all the lines coming out of the CVL).
- CHG wipes.jpg (76.02 KiB) Viewed 585 times
- CHG warmer v2.jpg (48.37 KiB) Viewed 570 times
She put on her Santa hat and she and my Dad took a slow 3 laps.
Throughout the morning, my brother sent a steady stream of photos and video as his 3 boys opened gifts. They had all the gifts from my parents and are the types of kids who open a gift and then go and play with it. They really know how to draw it out. It makes for a nice story in the arrival of the photos.
Roswell really has made the effort this holiday season to keep things festive. It’s the very little things that make a big difference. From the decorations all over and outside of the hospital, to EVERYONE wishing you Merry Christmas, the cheerful staff, the free parking! (That was a nice one!) Festive napkins and even little handmade crafts are on every tray of food, with a candy cane inside of it, which we hung on the counter in the room. While today doesn’t really ‘feel’ like Christmas, in that we are doing none of the traditional activities, the little touches are greatly appreciated.
- It's Day 13.jpg (54.36 KiB) Viewed 585 times
After a visit from her sister with her present (which we opened since her platelets are so low and a paper cut could be a bigger event), she was started on Lasix in response to the swelling and some weight gain over the last day. She has been through this before; regular trips to the bathroom ensue. At this time, her fentanyl constant dose was cut in half to 5 micrograms. She has not used the pump with the extra dose of 15 micrograms that is available every 15 minutes for a few days. She never found it to help much, and she kept forgetting that it was there.
The doctor came in a little before 1:30 pm just as she was throwing up a little bit of lunch. She had tried some soup and a few chilled peaches. He said that, after several days of not eating, she could experience delayed gastric emptying and told her not to push the eating. A single bite at each meal was fine since she is receiving TPN.
Notice the difference between this bag of TPN that went in last night and the one on Day 11. I thought it was interesting.
- TPN day 12 and 13 v2.jpg (70.79 KiB) Viewed 570 times
The bag that went in tonight was the same as yesterday.
The TPN will continue tonight and, since she had Lasix, would lower the saline drip for her. He told her to walk, walk, walk, and to do her sit / stand exercises. The walking she can do, the sit / stands aren’t possible yet.
Both he and the NP think she could be headed for discharge next week, but not before all the GI issues resolve and her calorie intake gets closer to what it should be. It that is the case, it would be on the inside of what we were told – we were told not to be surprised if it was 28 days due to her age. (They say that thing about her age a lot!)
By now, she was wiped out and her legs were shaky. She took a solid nap tucked into bed in her Santa hat. I took this opportunity to snooze in the chair. I find that, during the mid afternoon, there is a solid stretch of time with few to no interruptions. It’s a good time for a nap.
More meds came around 3:30 pm, followed by 3 more laps, and then we managed to open a few stocking gifts. Last night, I hung them on the wall: Hung on the wall with care. It wasn’t long before she couldn’t keep her eyes open ... I think the present opening is going to take a good bit of time this year! Last night, my Dad and I discovered a channel on the television that's showing a glowing fire and playing Christmas music. We have had that on most of the day in the room for a little ambiance. It’s very pleasant.
In the evening, she got another round of TPN and a small dose of magnesium. That potassium and magnesium is very pesky!
The Lasix makes her tired, so the day didn’t continue the way it started. Mostly she dozed and went to bed very early.
Back at Hope Lodge, I am doing laundry in the basement. They have two washers and two dryers. Sheets and towels are provided, but we wash them on our own. All this living out of town takes some planning.
- Laundry at Hope Lodge v2.jpg (53.52 KiB) Viewed 570 times
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. A woman said to me the other day, after a particularly difficult few days, that there is a bit of good in every day. Sometimes you have to search for it; but it’s there.
May you all have found your bit of good in this day.
- Bit of cheer added to the meal tray.jpg (60.33 KiB) Viewed 570 times
