From the gal where every day brings new excitement, here is latest: her fevers persist (in the 99s and 100s, but not higher) but she seems to have more and more shortness of breath and low oxygen levels. This is now 8 days of unexplained fever, despite antibiotics and the usual work-up for cancer patients with fever. There is now an Infectious Disease (I.D.)specialist on her case, which is a good thing -these folks are really slick at finding what the cause is. He has ordered a bunch of specific labs, ordered a chest and neck CT/CAT scans, because neck gland swelling is another recent development. The chest CT came back with scattered "particulate matter", so now Alison is scheduled to have a bronchoscopy this afternoon - that's the test where the doc looks down the respiratory tract and can take samples for culture, or a biopsy if that were needed. This might be the source of the fever as well as the cause of her low oxygen levels. As of a few minutes ago, she still hadn't gone down for the procedure, and once it is done, we probably won't have any answers right away because the samples have to be sent to the lab for growth, analysis and such. But at least we have some answers on the way. The ID doc did start her on some different antibiotics. If this is fungal, of course that will change yet again. Poor sweetie, she has her oxygen on because without it her levels drop too low. She is napping a lot, and glad for her quiet, private room.
Despite all of this, she remains in decent spirits. She is relieved to be there at the hospital, rather than running back and forth to the ER, and she speaks highly of the nursing care. While she is not a fan of the food, the insult-to-injury today is that she can't eat at all until the bronchoscopy is done. And although her hunger Beast is much better, that's still a long time for her not to eat! Kirk has food ready to toss to her as soon as she is cleared to eat...
So this is obviously an unfortunate bump in her road - she was hoping this was the week to get stronger coming off the radiation and chemo, and she had the trips to Monterey and Palm Springs planned. For now, she is aiming just to get this fever stuff sorted out, treated and put behind her. Kirk, Jon and Christa have kept her company at various times, but please keep sending her your good thoughts! She can use all manner of good energy sent her way.
Love, Deborah
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alison, positive thoughts are flying your way. rest as well as you can at the bates. i'll have the icn here at cho send you a group of positive thoughts, well wishes, and prayers that you are home soon. my mantra for tomarrow well be healing thoughts for you. love cindy
ReplyDeleteEvery rain drop that falls bursts open releasing positive well wishes for you. Every ray of sunshine that peeks through the clouds brings you warm
ReplyDeletepositive beams of good health. Every angel that walks into your room
is hand delivering all the positive vibs that your friends are sending to you.
May all our healing thoughts and loving intentions fill your room with love and goodness. Stephanie J and all your friends at CHO.
Alison and family,
ReplyDeleteI have been following everything you post, and wanted to let you know our thoughts and our love are with you. We had hoped to see you if you came to Palm Springs..and understand that is unknown at this time. I am glad for the updates, which I then relay to Doug. I think Marnie has already been in touch.And please also relay (to Alison) our thanks for the picures you sent. We treasure them.
Much love, prayers, sympathy and best wishes from Julie Hesson and family
ab, you are in our thoughts and prayers. I can't wait until you and Kirk come to visit us a the Landing in Gig. Good music and lovely views.
ReplyDeleteWith our love, Tom and family..
Hey LAM,
ReplyDeleteI am promptly sending fun, silly, positive, loving thoughts your way! I love you and hope to see you soon! LAD
Hoping that the fever is gone and you've gone home since this posting. Thinking of you and hope to see you next time you make it down to Santa Cruz or Monterey. Sending you love this Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteDebra and Family
Hi Alison,
ReplyDeleteHoping they have figured out what's going on with the fevers so you can enjoy Valentine's day with your family and Kirk. We're all thinking positive thoughts your way and hope that all of this will be over and done with soon so you can get back to having the fun and vacations that you enjoy so much!
Heather, Joe, Layla, Derek, and Kyla
This is all too scary for someone as nice as you. Please know that you are in the prayers of all of us at Our Lady of Mercy School. We have kicked off our Relay For Life campaign to help you and others fighting cancer. One World-Zero Cancer is our theme this year. I know your story will be a strong message to gain support for the fight. We love you and send hugs and kisses. Dane and Timothy
ReplyDelete