In the Hospital

The past couple weeks have been very trying and I apologize for not filling in those who don't follow facebook.
Sam finished his chemotherapy and radiation last month and has had wonderful results. However, the last round of radiation really did a number on his immune system and body in general. He's had some expected but uncomfortable side effects in addition to his white blood cell counts, red blood cell counts and his platelet counts being dangerously low and continuing to drop. He was put on doctor-ordered medical leave August 6th.

This past Wednesday, the 29th, he woke up with some pretty serious bleeding from his gums and mouth and because of his low platelet count (platelets help your blood clot - his count was a 17 - normal range is between 150-400) was unable to stop it. They had him come into the outpatient treatment center at Duke and gave him a transfusion of platelets and sent him home. The next evening he told me that he wasn't feeling well and we took his temperature. The first time it was 100.6 and got as high as 101.7. This is a low grade fever for healthy adults but for someone like Sam with a weakened immune system it can be deadly, and it can happen within a few hours. After speaking with his CT nurse we called my mom to come stay with the big kids while they slept and packed up Joanna and headed to the hospital.

They admitted him right away but because they were so full we stayed in an Emergency Department room for the first 18 hours. He was given a transfusion of red blood cells to help with the shortness of breath he was having and put on antibiotics.

He is now upstairs on the Oncology floor and doing much better. His fever has broken and his other symptoms have passed. He still needs to be on the antibiotics for 6 more days and they have not yet decided if he will need to stay in the hospital for the duration of that treatment. The very earliest they will let him leave is Sunday evening or Monday morning. He started receiving a medication last night to boost his white blood cell count that needs to be taken daily via an injection in his stomach. After another round of blood work today they will determine if he needs another set of transfusions to increase his platelet count and his red blood cell count. The problem with transfusions is that they are only a temporary fix. Cells die. His body needs to be able to produce adequate amounts on its own.

Update: The on call doctor just made his rounds and we will not be leaving until Monday at the earliest. His chest X-Ray showed beginning signs of Pneumonia and he will need an additional red blood cell transfusion today. Sam's regular doctor will be here Monday.


So right now we are just waiting, playing with Jo, and watching lots of Netflix. Thank you all for the prayers, thoughts, and love. We will keep you posted as things progress.

Love,
Alex