18th August - 23rd August.
This week Logan took two steps backwards.
First he starting spiking fevers and feeling lousy, then he started getting stomach pains.
He had an xray which didnt show a great deal, so he had an ultra sound which showed inflammation of the bladder. The pain was getting pretty bad so he was put on fentanyl and was given a pump so he could give the painkiller to himself. The next morning he was still in alot of pain and it was discovered he wasnt getting the correct dose. To cut a long story short, he is now on ketamine and morphine because his pain became unbearable.
The cause of his pain is hemorrhagic cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder. This is caused by either a virus which he has tested negative for so far, or from the chemo he received. The doctor said its more than likely the chemo.
Since thursday Logan has done nothing but pass blood and blood clots. At the moment he is getting large amounts of fluids to flush him out. Which causes other problems that I wont get into or I will be writing all night.
Friday he was made nil by mouth. Just when he had started taking his drugs orally it all had to stop. His stomach couldnt cope. Everything is IV again.
His NG feed had to stop also so now he's back on TPN.
It has been a very tough and frustrating time for him and I feel very proud of the way he has coped.
He can be feeling really terrible, but when someone asks him how his is he never complains he always says good. The nurses have worked him out now though and tease him about not complaining.
We do have good news though, his graft is looking really good. His cells are coming up most days.
His white cell count is 3.01 and his neutrophils are 1.18. If he didnt have this speed bump we would have left hospital and gone to Ronald McDonald House.
We also have another fart story: When Caitlin came up on friday she brought a fart machine up with her (Logan says thankyou Paul for the loan of it). This one is activated by remote, he pulled the usual stunt on the nurses which got a few laughs. One of the nurses dared him to do it to the doctor on rounds. On saturday morning it was a consultant we hadnt met before doing rounds so Logan put the machine under the covers and had the remote in his hand. The doctor said his thing then asked Logan if he could feel his stomach, Logan said "hang on" lifted his leg pressed the remote and let out a huge fart. The doctor thought Logan had really done one. The nurse had to let him know it wasn't Logan it was a joke. I still cant believe he did it, I didnt think he would go through with it.
I'm not too sure how much longer we will be here, the doctors cant say how long it will take to come right, they just say things like "it can take a while" and "we can only treat the symptoms".
Logan has received alot of pictures, cards, goodies, texts and messages of support that we need to say a big thankyou for. It is very much appreciated and it brightens his day so thankyou.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Things are on the up
During the past week Logan has been given one blood transfusion and platelets three times. He is doing really well. His cell count is at 1.23, and he now has neutrophils they are at .53, this is very exciting.
But I lost the bet, it is wednesday and we are still here. Logans neutrophils need to be at least 1.0 and his cell count needs to be between 2 and 3.
His blood pressure never came down so he has regular meds for this, once some of the drugs stop it will more than likely come down.
It is easy to see he is feeling better. He has started hassling some of the nurses. On his ipod he has fart noises, he puts the ipod under his covers, waits for a poor unsuspecting nurse to come in then presses the button and lets rip. The look on their face is priceless, a good laugh is had by all.
This afternoon has been a bit of a step back though, he has spiked a fever and is back on antibiotics. They arent sure why, but have taken blood cultures from his hickman line. We will know in a couple of days if its his line or a virus.
But I lost the bet, it is wednesday and we are still here. Logans neutrophils need to be at least 1.0 and his cell count needs to be between 2 and 3.
His blood pressure never came down so he has regular meds for this, once some of the drugs stop it will more than likely come down.
It is easy to see he is feeling better. He has started hassling some of the nurses. On his ipod he has fart noises, he puts the ipod under his covers, waits for a poor unsuspecting nurse to come in then presses the button and lets rip. The look on their face is priceless, a good laugh is had by all.
This afternoon has been a bit of a step back though, he has spiked a fever and is back on antibiotics. They arent sure why, but have taken blood cultures from his hickman line. We will know in a couple of days if its his line or a virus.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Back on line
Once again we have the internet back on so you get bombarded with a lot.
Logans echo came back all good.
The following week was really tough for Logan. He ended up with Sepsis. His temperature was up most of the time, the highest I saw it was 40.
When he first came into hospital his heart rate was around 50 beats a minute, they thought it was quite low but they soon realised it was normal for Logan. During this week it went up to 152 beats a minute. He also spent 90 per cent of the time asleep.
Day +8 he was given platelets and a blood transfusion. He also started on something called GCSF, this helps the graft to grow. He also had a bad headache all day.
Day +9 Today it felt like the only time he was awake was to go for a pee. His temperature was up most of the day and he still had a headache. Apparently some of the drugs he is on can cause this.
He had another blood transfusion, it takes two hours for the transfusion to go through, towards the end he broke out in a rash, it was all over his torso. The Doctors were sent for and they seemed to think it was an engraftment rash.
He also became very sensitive to light, so when he was awake he couldnt have his eyes open for long, it was too sore. The blinds had to be kept closed on one side of the room.
Day +10 Logan still has his rash this morning, the Doctor has said it doesnt look like your typical rash associated with this, so he was speaking to a Virologist to see about testing for viruses, where the best place to get a specimen is.
Because of all the treatment Logan has become low in potassium phosphate and magnesium, so he now gets those via his NG tube.
Because he still has a headache and is still sensitive to light, they have decided to give him a CT scan to look for infection.
He also had to have a lumbar puncture to rule out infection also. Originally they said they were going to sedate him but because of his heart rate and blood pressure at the time they were worried it would lay him out too much so decided not to. Instead they put numbing cream on his back. He did exactly what the doctor said and kept still. You could see it was really painful but he was soooo BRAVE, the only thing he said was "this hurts", but he could have been talking about the weather. For those of you who are interested, spinal fluid looks just like water. (Yes I watched the whole thing).
The good news is he didnt have meningitis or any other ugly virus.
Logan was also given platelets again today.
Day +11 Logan was given his weekly immunoglobulin (prevents viral infections)
His temperature was not as high today and he seemed to feel a little bit better.
More platelets were given tonight.
In general he had quite a good day yaaaaay.
Day +12 Just when you think you have gone a two steps forward you take one back.
Logan woke feeling really tired and dizzy with a temperature. He slept most of the day.
He was given extra fluids and more platelets.
Today is the first day he has shown sign of new cells. Before the tests would show less than 0.1 today he has 0.1 so that is REALLY EXCITING.
Day +14 Logan was given more platelets this morning. His temperature got up a couple of times today, that can cause his platelet levels to drop.
He had a reaction to his antibiotics today. He broke out in a rash, you could literally see it spread over his body. Once again the doctor was called to take a look at him. The rash went as fast as it came though. He's still on it but they dilute it down more and give it to him over 1 hour. Which is just as well as its the best one for the infection he has.
Day +15 Yaaaaay his cell count has gone up to 0.15 where it sayed for two days.
He's feeling a lot brighter, and is awake more than he is asleep.
Day +16 White cell count is at 0.26 thats a big jump from yesterday. Once he's at between 2 and 3 we can go to Ronald McDonald House as an outpatient. I have got a bet going that by next wednesday we will be there so fingers crossed.
The only down side is his blood pressure is really high at the moment. He's been given another drug to rectify this. He's also been given more platelets today.
Logans echo came back all good.
The following week was really tough for Logan. He ended up with Sepsis. His temperature was up most of the time, the highest I saw it was 40.
When he first came into hospital his heart rate was around 50 beats a minute, they thought it was quite low but they soon realised it was normal for Logan. During this week it went up to 152 beats a minute. He also spent 90 per cent of the time asleep.
Day +8 he was given platelets and a blood transfusion. He also started on something called GCSF, this helps the graft to grow. He also had a bad headache all day.
Day +9 Today it felt like the only time he was awake was to go for a pee. His temperature was up most of the day and he still had a headache. Apparently some of the drugs he is on can cause this.
He had another blood transfusion, it takes two hours for the transfusion to go through, towards the end he broke out in a rash, it was all over his torso. The Doctors were sent for and they seemed to think it was an engraftment rash.
He also became very sensitive to light, so when he was awake he couldnt have his eyes open for long, it was too sore. The blinds had to be kept closed on one side of the room.
Day +10 Logan still has his rash this morning, the Doctor has said it doesnt look like your typical rash associated with this, so he was speaking to a Virologist to see about testing for viruses, where the best place to get a specimen is.
Because of all the treatment Logan has become low in potassium phosphate and magnesium, so he now gets those via his NG tube.
Because he still has a headache and is still sensitive to light, they have decided to give him a CT scan to look for infection.
He also had to have a lumbar puncture to rule out infection also. Originally they said they were going to sedate him but because of his heart rate and blood pressure at the time they were worried it would lay him out too much so decided not to. Instead they put numbing cream on his back. He did exactly what the doctor said and kept still. You could see it was really painful but he was soooo BRAVE, the only thing he said was "this hurts", but he could have been talking about the weather. For those of you who are interested, spinal fluid looks just like water. (Yes I watched the whole thing).
The good news is he didnt have meningitis or any other ugly virus.
Logan was also given platelets again today.
Day +11 Logan was given his weekly immunoglobulin (prevents viral infections)
His temperature was not as high today and he seemed to feel a little bit better.
More platelets were given tonight.
In general he had quite a good day yaaaaay.
Day +12 Just when you think you have gone a two steps forward you take one back.
Logan woke feeling really tired and dizzy with a temperature. He slept most of the day.
He was given extra fluids and more platelets.
Today is the first day he has shown sign of new cells. Before the tests would show less than 0.1 today he has 0.1 so that is REALLY EXCITING.
Day +14 Logan was given more platelets this morning. His temperature got up a couple of times today, that can cause his platelet levels to drop.
He had a reaction to his antibiotics today. He broke out in a rash, you could literally see it spread over his body. Once again the doctor was called to take a look at him. The rash went as fast as it came though. He's still on it but they dilute it down more and give it to him over 1 hour. Which is just as well as its the best one for the infection he has.
Day +15 Yaaaaay his cell count has gone up to 0.15 where it sayed for two days.
He's feeling a lot brighter, and is awake more than he is asleep.
Day +16 White cell count is at 0.26 thats a big jump from yesterday. Once he's at between 2 and 3 we can go to Ronald McDonald House as an outpatient. I have got a bet going that by next wednesday we will be there so fingers crossed.
The only down side is his blood pressure is really high at the moment. He's been given another drug to rectify this. He's also been given more platelets today.
Monday, 1 August 2011
Day + 2 - +6
We havent had internet for a while, not sure what happened but I turned the computer on this morning and we're back on.
The days have been quite eventful, with one thing or another.
Day +2 Logans hair started to fall out.He sat in bed pulling it out. It was easier to pull it out rather than let it come out by itself, it was going all through his bed, getting in his mouth and eyes, just messy. He said it was easier than plucking a duck. He still has a little bit of fluff on his head though, and it looks quite a bit lighter. Being bald doesnt phase him too much.
Day +3
We had a little bit of a hickup, his NG tube got blocked so they had to put another one in. Before the new one could go in he had to have another platelet transfusion, he was so low, just in case he bled. Logan pulled the old one out himself.
His weight is up and down all the time. This morning he has lost 2 kgs from the night before, but it will be back up in no time.
Logan has started having something called immunoglobulin. This prevents viral infections and he will have it weekly. It is a blood product.
NG feeds are going back up. Hes at 20ml an hr.
Day +6
Tonight Logan got a fever, and was sick all night. He was given more platelets and had a chest xray. More blood was taken to check for infection and he's been put on another antibiotic just in case.
Next morning we got the results, and he has an infection in his hickman line. The new antibiotic was the correct one, and they wont have to put a new line in.
He is still very feverish this morning but soon all his new drugs will kick in and he will be fine again.
The Doctor could hear a murmer when she did rounds so an Echo has been ordered for him.
Next thing a Cardiologist arrived to have a listen. An Echo will be done this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning. They think it is just through having a fever.
He is getting looked after very well. Everyone is just awesome especially the nurses.
Good news, this afternoon Logan will be taken off the TPN, his NG feed is up to 60ml. The goal is 70mls an hour.
The days have been quite eventful, with one thing or another.
Day +2 Logans hair started to fall out.He sat in bed pulling it out. It was easier to pull it out rather than let it come out by itself, it was going all through his bed, getting in his mouth and eyes, just messy. He said it was easier than plucking a duck. He still has a little bit of fluff on his head though, and it looks quite a bit lighter. Being bald doesnt phase him too much.
Day +3
We had a little bit of a hickup, his NG tube got blocked so they had to put another one in. Before the new one could go in he had to have another platelet transfusion, he was so low, just in case he bled. Logan pulled the old one out himself.
His weight is up and down all the time. This morning he has lost 2 kgs from the night before, but it will be back up in no time.
Logan has started having something called immunoglobulin. This prevents viral infections and he will have it weekly. It is a blood product.
NG feeds are going back up. Hes at 20ml an hr.
Day +6
Tonight Logan got a fever, and was sick all night. He was given more platelets and had a chest xray. More blood was taken to check for infection and he's been put on another antibiotic just in case.
Next morning we got the results, and he has an infection in his hickman line. The new antibiotic was the correct one, and they wont have to put a new line in.
He is still very feverish this morning but soon all his new drugs will kick in and he will be fine again.
The Doctor could hear a murmer when she did rounds so an Echo has been ordered for him.
Next thing a Cardiologist arrived to have a listen. An Echo will be done this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning. They think it is just through having a fever.
He is getting looked after very well. Everyone is just awesome especially the nurses.
Good news, this afternoon Logan will be taken off the TPN, his NG feed is up to 60ml. The goal is 70mls an hour.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)