4:20pm
WBC 17.4
HCT 27.6
PLT 27,000
Still running fevers
When Austin tries to sleep, he wakes up with mouth pain every 2 or 3 minutes. Austin is feeling "crummy" today. Austin had lesions on his head. He has infected follicles which itch like crazy. His upper back looks a very angry red where he has scratched. He also has a number of lesions on his back.
When changing his dressing, anything that sticks to his skin has torn his skin when it was removed. Now the nurses are putting gauze wrap under anything that needs to be wrapped up (i.e. his PICC line). The PICC line drives everyone crazy because there are so many lines that get tangled up... causing occlusions. Austin has figured that the least occlusions occur when the lines go over his shoulder and down his back and then a shirt over that.
The doctors made an non-scheduled afternoon visit. Without saying they made a mistake, they said that taking him off such a continuous high dose of Fentanyl could be dangerous to Austin. Also, they thought he was needing the "on-demand" dose too frequently. The result? They have changed his medications. His continuous has been added back. They talked about reducing the "on-demand" dosage, but have not done so.
Austin can leave his room and walk the floor, go in the conference room and play a game(you guessed it, he beat me again). We no longer have to wear gowns and gloves, only the mask.
Today, Austin is focused on looking forward to Liz's visit. He is trying to rest a lot. I am watching him trying to sleep right now and notice that his body is twitching a lot.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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4 comments:
If the doctors are talking about discharging you on Tuesday, then they must be expecting you to improve dramatically. That's good! But I am sorry you are not comfortable yet. Reducing the Fentanyl may cause some discomfort, I assume. That's been the cure of the cure of the cure for you. Unwinding all these layers of treatment is a pain.
Enjoy the rest of your evening with Liz. Since I cannot come there, I will take advantage of my season symphony tickets and go to the concert tonight with Brielle. Tonight there is a guitar concerto, a piece by Rodrigo. Also something by Ibert and Bizet's Symphony. So it is mostly impressionistic stuff, but I like that.
If you've noticed, I stopped calling you on the phone, because I don't like forcing you to talk. But you are always in my thoughts.
Happy to hear that you may be going home in just a few short days. The whole process is just amazing, isn't it?
It must be nice to walk the floor when you are feeling up to it. Just being up and about is good for the soul.
I am hoping you find some restful
sleep soon.
Wishing you a more comfortable day..............Vx
Greg here..
Talked to Ole the other night..hello Marie and gosh Austin I hope this is the apex of the pain and treatment for you and I hope it is all downhill from here..meaning the worst part is over..I have been reading what you are going through and my thoughts and prayers are with you..hopefully you heal fast and get back to a realistic lifestyle..
and get this chapter in your life behind you.
Greg
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