The CT scan shows that Jim has Typhlitis, an infection of the entrance to the large intestine. From what I can find on the internet, this is a serious infection. They are keeping him for several days and he will be getting high doses of antibiotics. He is not allowed to eat or drink anything! Just a few sips of water and ice chips. They will start nutritional feeding through his IV at 9:00pm. Poor guy hasn't eaten anything since 6:00pm Tuesday night.
His temp is still over 101.0. He is getting nausea meds and and pain meds every 4 hours. He slips in and out. I'm not sure what he does remember of the conversations we've had. I do know that he gets what the doctors and nurses have told him mixed up. His days are mixed, his day/night pattern is upside-down. He's not even trying to eat.
Deb
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Jim's Journey - Day 9 post transplant March 9
Jim was up all night again last night with diarrhea between 1:30am and 5:00am. He has been having many problems getting his meds down as he feels like someone is holding his throat shut. His temp was elevated ranging between 99.3 and 100.0 all night.
We had clinic starting at 8:00am and his temp was higher, just on the border for being a clinical fever. They gave him IV fluids and the PA decided he needed to be admitted to the hospital. The PA started a dose of antibiotics. They also did a urine and blood cultures.
Jim was admitted to the University of Washington Medical Center just after 12:00 noon. They performed a chest x-ray and then an abdominal CT scan at 11:00pm. They started all his oral meds by IV and will be running antibiotics 24/7. Jim is neutropenic. Becoming neutropenic means that his neutrophils (white blood cells) are gone and he no longer has an immune system. The Chemo has done its job. Now his bone marrow can start producing new blood cells.
Although this is a normal part of his stem cell transplant and his road to recovery, he is very ill, and I am praying for him.
We had clinic starting at 8:00am and his temp was higher, just on the border for being a clinical fever. They gave him IV fluids and the PA decided he needed to be admitted to the hospital. The PA started a dose of antibiotics. They also did a urine and blood cultures.
Jim was admitted to the University of Washington Medical Center just after 12:00 noon. They performed a chest x-ray and then an abdominal CT scan at 11:00pm. They started all his oral meds by IV and will be running antibiotics 24/7. Jim is neutropenic. Becoming neutropenic means that his neutrophils (white blood cells) are gone and he no longer has an immune system. The Chemo has done its job. Now his bone marrow can start producing new blood cells.
Although this is a normal part of his stem cell transplant and his road to recovery, he is very ill, and I am praying for him.
Jim's Journey - Day 8 post transplant March 8
No entry for yesterday.
Jim woke at 1:30am this morning and was hungry! He ate a bowl of cereal with almond milk and kept it down. Unfortunately he was up and down until about 4:30am with troubles. He ate a bowl of cereal at the center this morning too: His morning meds didn't quite stay down though.
After infusion this am and a 3 hour rest, Jim felt good enough to venture out. We drove up to Edmonds (about 10 miles) and parked along the shore. It was a little overcast and windy, but it was nice. We walked about 1/4 mi to the ferry entrance. Jim enjoyed counting the cars as they came off the ferry.
We will attempt a round-trip ferry ride when Jim feels up to it. Should take about an hour. no dogs allowed in the park or on the Ferry. Poor Phaedra, we will have to leave her at the motel on in the car. She is such a comfort to Jim.
They have upped the amount of IV fluids I have to give him at home from 1000ml to 1500ml. At 250ml per hour his home infusion will last about 6 hours. He ususally sleeps, but maybe I can talk him into watching a movie tonight.
Deb
Jim woke at 1:30am this morning and was hungry! He ate a bowl of cereal with almond milk and kept it down. Unfortunately he was up and down until about 4:30am with troubles. He ate a bowl of cereal at the center this morning too: His morning meds didn't quite stay down though.
After infusion this am and a 3 hour rest, Jim felt good enough to venture out. We drove up to Edmonds (about 10 miles) and parked along the shore. It was a little overcast and windy, but it was nice. We walked about 1/4 mi to the ferry entrance. Jim enjoyed counting the cars as they came off the ferry.
We will attempt a round-trip ferry ride when Jim feels up to it. Should take about an hour. no dogs allowed in the park or on the Ferry. Poor Phaedra, we will have to leave her at the motel on in the car. She is such a comfort to Jim.
They have upped the amount of IV fluids I have to give him at home from 1000ml to 1500ml. At 250ml per hour his home infusion will last about 6 hours. He ususally sleeps, but maybe I can talk him into watching a movie tonight.
Deb
Jim Journey - Day 6 post transplant March 6
Dry heaves and diarrhea at 2am. Jim did very well yesterday, but is still not taking in enough fluids so they hung a hydration IV today. He has broken out in a rash. They believe is may be related to his low platelet count, so they gave him platelets today.
One of the nurses came in today carrying her lunch. Something from a Thai restaurant. Made Jim crave some coconut soup. After infusion today we stopped by Siam Thai and ordered a large Tom Yum soup. Coconut milk, ginger, mushrooms, lemongrass, and a few spices. He ate most of the bowl along with a cup of sticky rice. Now home and another bag of fluids tonight.
Deb
One of the nurses came in today carrying her lunch. Something from a Thai restaurant. Made Jim crave some coconut soup. After infusion today we stopped by Siam Thai and ordered a large Tom Yum soup. Coconut milk, ginger, mushrooms, lemongrass, and a few spices. He ate most of the bowl along with a cup of sticky rice. Now home and another bag of fluids tonight.
Deb
Jim's Journey - Day 5 post transplant March 5
Jim is up very early this morning. Restless. He treated himself to a cup of jello with fruit, but it did not stay down long. We walked about 1/4 mile along Greenlake today. He is feeling pretty good and Phaedra enjoyed the walk. Home and back to bed. Gave IV fluids this evening. Hope he feels better in the morning.
Nurses told us that he is at the point where many patients enter the hospital. We are hoping to continue home care as long as possible.
Deb
Nurses told us that he is at the point where many patients enter the hospital. We are hoping to continue home care as long as possible.
Deb
Jim's Journey - Day 4 post transplant March 4
Yeah! Jim woke up feeling much better this morning. Ate a little fruit and jello, then started feeling distressed and back to bed he went. He listened to old Jim Taylor,
Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan songs on his computer. Hope he continues to feel better today. I think we finally have his nausea meds figured out.
Started IV fluids at home. Jim slept all day. Took his evening meds very late.
Eric Clapton, and Bob Dylan songs on his computer. Hope he continues to feel better today. I think we finally have his nausea meds figured out.
Started IV fluids at home. Jim slept all day. Took his evening meds very late.
Jim's Journey - Day 3 post transplant March 3
Follow up. Jim isn'g doing very well today. Very lethargic. The nurse said that the Benedryl is most likely to blame; that we shouldn't be using it alone for his nausea. They gave him IV fluids for 4 hours today and I have to start giving him IV fluids at home beginning tomorrow. He is feeling a little better this evening, but has been sleeping since we got home. He did eat a little top ramen, but not much else. Less than 600 calories today.
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