Sunday, April 22, 2007: "Goo" makes a Comeback

Dear LPCTC,
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I write to keep you all up to date on Dad's progress this weekend. As you know, Dad and E packed up the green car and headed home on Friday night (horray!) - but come Saturday morning, they found themselves in a familiar place: good old St. Francis. Be not alarmed: things are going really well, despite the facts - which I will now relate.

On Saturday morning, Dad awoke with a terrifically high fever, somewhere north of 104. He was also feeling nauseated and soon thereafter started vomiting and feeling very bad. They chose to get right in the car and head back to the hospital (and who wouldn't with that kind of fever?) where he was directed (almost) instantly into the ICU. Needless to say, this reversal was upsetting and scary... but only for a short time. Once full of Tylenol, Ativan and an IV full of good anti-biotics, Dad started to feel better almost instantly. By the time Dr. Spector came in to see him, he was feeling pretty decent (considering) and his fever was down around 99. Dr. Spector even told E that he thought Dad looked better by the minute. He had an "uneventful" night's sleep last night and ate breakfast this morning and even sang some songs. (Could it be the Benedryl? No idea - but I'll take singing, NO PROBLEM.) Medically speaking, here is all I (we) know:

The bug is a gram positive bacteria.

The bug does not (as of now) seem to have the power to withstand a heavy hit of anti-biotics and Tylenol.

Dad's vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen, blah blah blah) are all good.

As long as he gets his Tylenol, his fever stays down under 100. The highest it got today was 101.7.

His medical people expect him to have yet another uneventful night.

And now for an important announcement: The anti-biotic that produces the undesirable skin effect is now back on the menu, and so the "goo" ban, which was temporarily lifted back in December, has been repealed once more. In addition to having the lay around the ICU all day, Dad has to slather up with the Vaseline concoction to avoid breaking out in the dreaded rash. Since the anti-biotic might actually be effective, there isn't much room to complain. However, since there is no one to stop me, (and since I have always truly excelled at raising up cries of woe) I'll just say once more that the idea of my Dad having a mandatory skin cream regimine breaks my heart. Gah. Next thing you know, he'll have to quit drinking and smoking and eating cheese.... Oh wait. That ALREADY HAPPENED. *sniff*

In summary, LPCTC, this is not shaping up to be exciting in the way that the October tour of the ICU was, at least for now. This is day fourteen of this chemo tour, so he is not far (less than a week, really) from the time when he should be able to fight this thing off with white cells of his own. Dr. Spector said he'll be in the ICU for the time being, but probably not for very long. After being released from ICU, he'll probably spend a few days on the 5th floor for good measure before they had back to the green car for another try at being home. Please watch the blog for additional updates and pray for us like you always do.

Jen (for Dad and E).