2015/02/05

Thursday, 5th February

Day 37 - Stem Cell Transplant

Jimmy is not well and feeling very down now too.  He still has all the same symptoms as yesterday and his temperature is still spiking at 39.

Today they gave him adrenaline to try and bring his blood pressure up.  They also changed the antibiotic again.  The blood cultures came back showing nothing but apparently they only show up to 50% of infections so they are now treating him for a possible fungal infection as this is basically what has not been covered yet.  Dr Fine was there before me this morning so this is what Jimmy told me, so not too sure how accurate this info is.  I also couldn't ask her about the fluid on his lungs.  They weighed him today and he has put of 5kg.  This is all fluid and he is extremely bloated and puffy.  They are rubbing Aqueous Cream onto his back, the back of his left and heels as this will help prevent bed sores.  He has a terrible rash in his groin area and also started with sores in his mouth and down his throat today.  They are giving him painkillers for the pain in his bones but they crush them and make them into puree and then inject this into the feeding tube that goes in his nose as he can't even swallow a pill.  They are also still giving him the injections to flush some of his fluids but these give him a huge headache and make his heart race.

His white blood cell count is at 1.9 today which is very good news but this ray of hope has also been dashed now as the sister explained to me that although it is good because it means that his stem cells are grafting but this mainly due to the Neupogen injections.  Once his white blood cell count reaches 3, or about there, then Prof will tell them to stop the Neupogen injections and then Jimmy's body will crash again.  The next big step will be waiting for his body to build up the white blood cell count on its own.

He slept almost the entire day today and hardly said 2 words.

6 comments:

Julie said...

Hi Vivienne! O wow!!! I want to comment on every post and every sentence! Just know you and Jimmy are in my heart and thoughts daily, and I will comment in more detail... just wanted you both to know I am with you across the globe! love and hugs!!! xoxo Julie

Lorna A. said...

It really is tough having to sit by and watch your man suffer so much. I thought Mike would never recover from his SCT at one point, but eventually with a lot of support from the medical team he did improve. The worse thing about the myeloma journey is that no two are the same. Some people are so lucky that they hardly notice the treatments and sail out of hospital after only two weeks while others suffer so badly that the stay is doubled. Its a cliche, but hang on in there, things will get better.
Those scientists really need to come up with a Star Trek transporter so I could pop over for that coffee and cake. xxx

Unknown said...

Hi Viv please tell my Scotsman that he must stay thinking positive thoughts just like braveheart kicked the English ass so he can kick this. I always think of both of you going through this journey and I don't know if I would have the strength and energy to do this. I Reilly wish you both the best, and our love and caring are with you even though we are not physically our thoughts are there. Sterkte Jimmy

Vivienne Smith said...

Thanks Julie xx

Vivienne Smith said...

Thanks Guppy and Di, your messages of love and support mean allot to us both.

Vivienne Smith said...

Hi Lorna,

Coffee and cake sounds like a fantastic idea...any excuse to eat cake! It's lovely having you on here knowing that you have been through all this with your husband. I think we have now turned that corner you are talking about.

xx

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