We are learning more and more about our bodies and the magnificent and delicate way God made us. Like – oxygen saturation – and how essential appropriate levels are to keep us going. This is Kriss writing as Robin is resting in a hospital bed at the University of Washington Medical Center as of Friday evening around 10 pm.
It has been a very eventful week. Last Friday late night through early Saturday morning Robin was hit very hard with vomiting and diarrhea. We went to the Cancer Center Triage for weekend assessment on Saturday mid-morning. Upon consulting with our primary doctor Robin received his first of three IV Prednisone infusions over the next three days. Then, as life would have it, I had my turn of violent GI issues on Sunday night. Monday Robin had to drive himself to the Cancer Center or cancel his appointments, which was not really an option. They took a nasal culture, which showed he had Para-influenza 3, but due to Robin’s compromised immune system he did not recover as I did. He has been suffering from an irritating cough and post-nasal drip for over three weeks. He has had a weekly chest x-ray to determine what is precipitating the cough, showing nothing conclusive. So, Robin is back on Prednisone. After daily blood draws he had more drug changes this week than ever. Then on Thursday, along with various other appointments, they did a chest CT; and on Friday he had an endoscopy & sigmoidoscopy. During and after these procedures was when his low oxygen absorption levels became apparent. One more big drug change came about, and this was rather overwhelming. He was taken off the twice daily home infusions of Ganciclovir and scheduled to come into the Cancer Center for twice daily infusions of Foscarnet with 2 hours of hydration infusion at home prior to the 8am dose and 4 hours of IV hydration before the 8pm dose. I was really wondering how we were going to get it all done, along with all of his meds at six different times a day (some with food, some on an empty stomach) and 4 blood sugar tests and insulin. We also had numerous appointments to keep. At this point a 12 hour nursing shift sounded pretty good. I could use a good nights sleep without worrying I was going to forget something Robin needed. Robin was getting so tired I had to wake him up to go to the next appt. or take the next meds. And walking to the car and through the Cancer Center really wore him out. When we went in for his first infusion of Foscarnet on Friday at 5:30pm the nurse was concerned about his shortness of breath and, of course, the oxygen levels. She didn’t want to start the drug until the PA on duty saw him in person. It took over an hour for her to get to us, but she was great. She was able to track down our primary Dr. and he said two words: Get going! Since he was on oxygen and the drug infusion he was transferred to the hospital by ambulance. It was a relief to both of us to know he was getting the attention he needs along with the oxygen. Now we found out that the chest CT revealed some bi-lateral infiltration of his lungs. They took a sputum culture and found evidence of a bacterial infection so he is on a three day high dose antibiotic.
So, for the past two weeks Robin has been donning a disposable respiratory mask at the Cancer Center. Now it is my turn. Anyone entering his room at the hospital must put on a gown, gloves and mask, and keep them on the entire time there. At least now Robin can get the rest he needs and his meds and treatments without having to go out in the weather and walk the halls of the SCCA. This is a bit of a set-back and we will surely be here in Seattle past our 100 day mark of April 19, but we feel confident in the medical care and mostly in God’s provision. Thank you all for your continued love and support throughout this medical adventure.
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