The day started out with more vomit, so the food through his NG tube has been reduced. He has mucositis, which has given him ulcers and rawness in his mouth and throat. They think it is in his stomach also because of the pain he is getting. He's now been given a morphine pump to use himself, when the pain comes on press a button and he gets more.
This morning he was given another platelet transfusion.
The stem cells arrived in what looked like a compost bin, inside this was another container that had liquid nitrogen inside it that was frozen to -165deg. Inside that container was what looked like a tin box that had the stem cells in a bag on it. They were defrosted in warm water inside their bag.
He was given a bit more morphine and phenergan because sometimes you can have a reaction to the preservative they are in and can cause a bit of pain. Logan was fine throughout the whole thing, that lasted all of five minutes. The nurse just hung the bag on a hook and they went straight into his hickman line. The stem cells will find their own way to his bone marrow and they should start producing healthy cells in 10 days.
The smell you get when you open a can of corn is what the stem cells smelt like, it was quite strong,
and will hang around for a couple of days. You get used to the smell, but when you leave the room and come back in it is there.
The cells came from Milwaukee USA, and there was 30mls of them in the bag.
Day +1
The day started out not very good, Logans in quite a bit of pain so they have got background morphine going all the time, he is still able to give himself little top ups when he needs to.
His feed has been reduced even more. He's down to 20ml an hour but they have increased his IV fluids. He also has a fever off and on.
He has also been given another platelet transfusion and a blood transfusion. Platelets were given in the morning and the blood in the evening.
He spends a lot of time sleeping, and when he is awake he has no energy.
I still get the odd smile out of him though.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Goodbye ATG
The last 2 days of ATG were nowhere near as bad as the first day. He got a temperature but not like the first day, and he still has a rash.
The steroids are making him puff up, but that should go when he comes off them.
He spends most of the day sleeping. This morning he read for close to an hour then had a sleep. This afternoon he managed to watch most of the Magpies game then he was back to sleep.
He's getting used to having his blood pressure and pulse taken in his sleep, the arm automatically comes out without realising it, this happens all day and all night.
This morning he had to have another platelet transfusion, and tonight he is having a red cell transfusion.
Friday he started on 2 drugs to prevent Graft vs Host Disease. This is where Logans immune system recognises the new cells as foreign and attacks them, and vice versa.
Tomorrow is Day 0 Transplant Day.
The steroids are making him puff up, but that should go when he comes off them.
He spends most of the day sleeping. This morning he read for close to an hour then had a sleep. This afternoon he managed to watch most of the Magpies game then he was back to sleep.
He's getting used to having his blood pressure and pulse taken in his sleep, the arm automatically comes out without realising it, this happens all day and all night.
This morning he had to have another platelet transfusion, and tonight he is having a red cell transfusion.
Friday he started on 2 drugs to prevent Graft vs Host Disease. This is where Logans immune system recognises the new cells as foreign and attacks them, and vice versa.
Tomorrow is Day 0 Transplant Day.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
The end of chemo
Chemo has finished, the last day was thursday. Logan is completely off food now, he hasnt eaten since tuesday when he had a mouthful of weetbix. He is feed through his NG tube constantly now. The goal is to get him to 90ml an hour, thats the equivalent to 90 calories an hour, he is currently at 75.
Day -3 was the first day of ATG. This attacks his T lyphocytes so they cant attack the new cells when they are transplanted. It takes 6 hours for the drug to run its course. Not a very nice drug at all.
He is also given 2 other drugs to help stop an allergic reaction.
During the 6 hours he became freezing cold, but he had a temperature, he got a really bad headache also.
He got the shakes, I have never seen anyone shake like that before, the nurse called it The Rigors. He also has a rash. All this I am told is normal. The first day is supposed to be the worst day, we have 2 to go.
Eventually he went to sleep, which was the best thing he could do.
Day -2 started out with a massive blood nose that wouldnt stop. It was running down the back of his throat and he was having to spit it out. He ended up having a platelet transfusion. I thought they would have been red but platelets are yellow. He was given his donors blood type, apparently it is okay to do this with platelets but not with red blood cells. Eventually his blood type will change to that of his donor.
The 2nd dose of ATG is about to start, hopefully it is easier than yesterday.
Day -3 was the first day of ATG. This attacks his T lyphocytes so they cant attack the new cells when they are transplanted. It takes 6 hours for the drug to run its course. Not a very nice drug at all.
He is also given 2 other drugs to help stop an allergic reaction.
During the 6 hours he became freezing cold, but he had a temperature, he got a really bad headache also.
He got the shakes, I have never seen anyone shake like that before, the nurse called it The Rigors. He also has a rash. All this I am told is normal. The first day is supposed to be the worst day, we have 2 to go.
Eventually he went to sleep, which was the best thing he could do.
Day -2 started out with a massive blood nose that wouldnt stop. It was running down the back of his throat and he was having to spit it out. He ended up having a platelet transfusion. I thought they would have been red but platelets are yellow. He was given his donors blood type, apparently it is okay to do this with platelets but not with red blood cells. Eventually his blood type will change to that of his donor.
The 2nd dose of ATG is about to start, hopefully it is easier than yesterday.
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Chemo again
Day -7 (monday) chemo started again, it is a different drug to what he had last week. With this one he needs IV fluids for 2 hours before chemo can start. Then for six hours after it finishes he has fluids with a drug in it to help protect the bladder. The chemo only took one hour to run its course. Now he has to pee in a bottle each time he needs to go so they can measure his output and check for red blood cells.
He's been given strong anti sick medication to help him feel ok, as last week wasnt that great with all the vomiting. It has worked so far.
Yesterday his nasal gastric tube went in. He was so good getting it put in, the trick was to drink through a straw and keep swallowing. Last night they had food trickling in while he slept, it looks a bit like a pale chocolate milkshake, that will happen everyday now. He is eating less and less each day, he just doesnt feel like food. He's lost 2 kilos since last monday.
We did have a bit of excitement though, on sunday night a nurse came in and got us to have a look out the nurses station window. The nurses station is right across the hall from our room, Logans not allowed out, but she said it would be fine. In the carpark down below there was a fire, 3 fire trucks were there putting it out, we couldnt quite see what was on fire but presume it was a car.
I saw a not so pretty sight yesterday, I was looking out the window over at Auckland hospital, and saw someone standing at their window looking out also, that was fine untill he turned around............ all I could see was his bare backside.
He's been given strong anti sick medication to help him feel ok, as last week wasnt that great with all the vomiting. It has worked so far.
Yesterday his nasal gastric tube went in. He was so good getting it put in, the trick was to drink through a straw and keep swallowing. Last night they had food trickling in while he slept, it looks a bit like a pale chocolate milkshake, that will happen everyday now. He is eating less and less each day, he just doesnt feel like food. He's lost 2 kilos since last monday.
We did have a bit of excitement though, on sunday night a nurse came in and got us to have a look out the nurses station window. The nurses station is right across the hall from our room, Logans not allowed out, but she said it would be fine. In the carpark down below there was a fire, 3 fire trucks were there putting it out, we couldnt quite see what was on fire but presume it was a car.
I saw a not so pretty sight yesterday, I was looking out the window over at Auckland hospital, and saw someone standing at their window looking out also, that was fine untill he turned around............ all I could see was his bare backside.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Week 1 down
Thursday and Friday havent been great days.. Logan has felt sick most of the time and has had no energy. He hasnt been able to keep much down, so they have put him on IV fluids, they have helped. One of the drugs he is on has really upset his system, his last day of that drug is today (sunday).
Saturday night he felt like a meatball sub, so Doug went and got him one, he kept it down and hasnt looked back since. He's eating and drinking small amounts, so has now been taken off the IV fluids this morning.
Also he has been given some high nutrient drinks to drink as he has lost 1kg in four days.
Today it is easy to see a change for the better in him, because he brought out his tennis ball and we played hand ball for a while.
This morning I had a bit of a laugh to myself. A nurse started her shift that Logan hasnt had before. As usual before breakfast he was brought in his cocktail of drugs. This morning there was 7 tablets in the cup instead of his usual 6, he noticed this and decided he wasnt going to take them because this is not how many he takes. I got the nurse for him and he asked her if that was right because he doesnt usually take that many. She went to double check, brought in his drug chart to show him, as it turns out today is an extra tablet day. She did say "good on you Logan for asking".
It was great excitement on friday afternoon for Doug and Caitlin, when they got to Auckland airport terminal they saw The All Blacks. Caitlin was walking right beside Piri Weepu. We said "thats nothing", it was dress up as an animal day for the staff, and Logan was being looked after by a Panda Bear and had a visit from Big Bird. But really I know what he would have preferred.
Saturday night he felt like a meatball sub, so Doug went and got him one, he kept it down and hasnt looked back since. He's eating and drinking small amounts, so has now been taken off the IV fluids this morning.
Also he has been given some high nutrient drinks to drink as he has lost 1kg in four days.
Today it is easy to see a change for the better in him, because he brought out his tennis ball and we played hand ball for a while.
This morning I had a bit of a laugh to myself. A nurse started her shift that Logan hasnt had before. As usual before breakfast he was brought in his cocktail of drugs. This morning there was 7 tablets in the cup instead of his usual 6, he noticed this and decided he wasnt going to take them because this is not how many he takes. I got the nurse for him and he asked her if that was right because he doesnt usually take that many. She went to double check, brought in his drug chart to show him, as it turns out today is an extra tablet day. She did say "good on you Logan for asking".
It was great excitement on friday afternoon for Doug and Caitlin, when they got to Auckland airport terminal they saw The All Blacks. Caitlin was walking right beside Piri Weepu. We said "thats nothing", it was dress up as an animal day for the staff, and Logan was being looked after by a Panda Bear and had a visit from Big Bird. But really I know what he would have preferred.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
First days of chemo
We got to the ward and were taken straight to our room, it looks out over A & E at Auckland Hospital, apparently now and again you get to see a bit of excitement down there.
I knew chemo was starting that day but no-one said anything about all the other drugs he would have to take, that was a shock. The poor guy rattles when he walks now.
He has to take one drug that prevents seizures,
another that helps flush the kidneys
another that prevents a certain lung infection
another that prevents fungal infections
another that prevents viral infections
another that prevents veno-occlusive disease (cant remember what that is but will find out)
anti sickness drugs (that dont seem to be working)
Some have to be taken every 4 hrs, some every 6hrs, and some every 8hrs.
He's also on antibiotics, and has to use a mouth rinse after each brush to help prevent ulcers.
They call his first day of chemo day -14 each day after that is day -13, -12, -11 etc untill you get to day 0 which is transplant day, after that its day +1, +2 etc.
During his first day of chemo blood samples are taken, these get sent to Christchurch, they test to see if they are giving him the right dose.
The first blood test is half way through the infusion
2nd at the end
3rd half an hour after infusion has finished
4th 2 hours after infusion has finished
5th 6 hours after infusion has finished
Day -13 can proceed because they have given him the correct dose.
We are now at day -11 and it has been the worst day, the anti sickness arent working and he has spent a bit of time vomiting, one more day of this drug to go, and he gets to have two days rest.
He has also had to have an ECG as his heart rate is quite low. I think they have now put that down to being fit.
On a lighter note, yesterday he spent a bit of time on the wii racing one of his nurses Rebecca. That was quite a laugh for him and Rebecca.
I knew chemo was starting that day but no-one said anything about all the other drugs he would have to take, that was a shock. The poor guy rattles when he walks now.
He has to take one drug that prevents seizures,
another that helps flush the kidneys
another that prevents a certain lung infection
another that prevents fungal infections
another that prevents viral infections
another that prevents veno-occlusive disease (cant remember what that is but will find out)
anti sickness drugs (that dont seem to be working)
Some have to be taken every 4 hrs, some every 6hrs, and some every 8hrs.
He's also on antibiotics, and has to use a mouth rinse after each brush to help prevent ulcers.
They call his first day of chemo day -14 each day after that is day -13, -12, -11 etc untill you get to day 0 which is transplant day, after that its day +1, +2 etc.
During his first day of chemo blood samples are taken, these get sent to Christchurch, they test to see if they are giving him the right dose.
The first blood test is half way through the infusion
2nd at the end
3rd half an hour after infusion has finished
4th 2 hours after infusion has finished
5th 6 hours after infusion has finished
Day -13 can proceed because they have given him the correct dose.
We are now at day -11 and it has been the worst day, the anti sickness arent working and he has spent a bit of time vomiting, one more day of this drug to go, and he gets to have two days rest.
He has also had to have an ECG as his heart rate is quite low. I think they have now put that down to being fit.
On a lighter note, yesterday he spent a bit of time on the wii racing one of his nurses Rebecca. That was quite a laugh for him and Rebecca.
Sunday, 10 July 2011
Auckland so far
We arrived in Auckland on wednesday , went straight to Ronald McDonald house to drop our bags off then went up to Starship. Logan had to have more blood tests, before we could see the specialist. That was pretty straight forward.
Thursday we had to be back at 12oclock for blood pressure etc. He went into theatre at 1.30 to have his line put in. Two hours later they took me to recovery to see him. Logan was really groggy which he didnt like, he wanted to wake up fully straight away. He said to the recovery nurse " how much anaestetic did they give me?", She thought that was quite cute. We then had to wait 4 hours before he could leave, they had to make sure there was no bleeding etc.
The line goes in through the jugular vein and gets thread through untill in reaches the top of the heart, he has a bit of bruising and tenderness but other than that he is good.
Friday we had to be back at the hospital for a preadmission check, that also was straight forward.
So thats all the blood tests and checks untill monday when he has to be back in at 9 oclock.
Saturday we had a visit from Kane, Rachael and the kids, we all managed to get tickets to see Walking with Dinosaurs, what a great show.
Thursday we had to be back at 12oclock for blood pressure etc. He went into theatre at 1.30 to have his line put in. Two hours later they took me to recovery to see him. Logan was really groggy which he didnt like, he wanted to wake up fully straight away. He said to the recovery nurse " how much anaestetic did they give me?", She thought that was quite cute. We then had to wait 4 hours before he could leave, they had to make sure there was no bleeding etc.
The line goes in through the jugular vein and gets thread through untill in reaches the top of the heart, he has a bit of bruising and tenderness but other than that he is good.
Friday we had to be back at the hospital for a preadmission check, that also was straight forward.
So thats all the blood tests and checks untill monday when he has to be back in at 9 oclock.
Saturday we had a visit from Kane, Rachael and the kids, we all managed to get tickets to see Walking with Dinosaurs, what a great show.
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