spent all night at the hospital - Lymphomas Message Board

SallyD · 12-13-2007, 06:23 AM

Dad is over halfway through his treatments..Up till now he has done amazingly well...this last chemo left him more run down than usual...and he now has numbness in his fingers... He spiked a fever last nigt and the hosp told us to bring him asap.
Apparently he has zero wbc's, and has a blood infection. They admitted him.

I drove home this morning, Mom stayed with him. I am waiting to hear if he will be discharged today, or If he gets to stay another night. Does anyone know how long they may keep him for the intraveinious antibiotics? I mean , is there a standard stay time?

I live an hour away from the hospital, and we are having an ice storm...(yay) not.

The good news is that they did a scan on him last week, and can find no cancer left in him, But he will continue with his last 3 treatments and radiation just to be sure.

Take care and God bless...sally

singer78 · 12-13-2007, 01:02 PM

Sally,
Is your dad getting WBC (white blood cell) shots?
I was getting Neulasta---not fun, but probably kept me away from being admitted throughout treatment.
I'm not familiar with how long they will administer antibiotics intraveiniously.
It sounds like he's doing well. The neuropathy seems to go "hand in hand" with chemo/radiation. I have it, too. It's quite bothersome at times. They say it goes away in time.
Just the fact that the cancer is gone, is a big plus.
I'm glad he's halfway through.
I had radiation, and it's much easier compared to chemo...although there's still side-effects, neuropathy, again, being one.
God Bless...
Hang in there. Give him a kiss from the Forum.
love, S.

SallyD · 12-13-2007, 03:52 PM

Thanks singer...and congrats on being well.

He has improved, and yes, he gets the dreaded wbc shots.
He has been on massive antibiotics, and his red blood cells are way down , so he may need a transfusion. his legs and feet are swelling also.

He will be in the hospital at lest through sunday. His oncologist has decided to reduce his dosage on the chemo so he doesn't have another episode.

He is in good hands, and he was much improved and feeling bitchy today. I told him to shut up and let them make him feel better. LOL.

He is 75 years old, and can you believe this is the first time he has ever been in the hospita?l..he's a tough old bird.

xooxox Sally

singer78 · 12-13-2007, 04:05 PM

Wow...That's amazing. 1st time in the hospital.
They don't make 'em like that anymore, do they?

Yes, thank you for your congrat's. I'm still overwhelmed by it all. It's a new "normalcy." The next year is still going to be a "biggie." I'll have scans, port-flushings, etc...but, I'm remaining positive I've beat this nasty thing. (fingers crossed)

It does sound like your dad is in good hands.
Having faith in your oncologist is so important.
I think I recall you mentioning he's in Northeastern Ohio. Is it Aultman?
If so, I'm totally familiar with them, and they're good.

God Bless & good luck.
S.

SallyD · 12-15-2007, 07:09 AM

Well..we have good news...as of yesterday, dad's blood counts were back in the normal range. He is feeling much better, had a shower, and was up for a short stroll around the hospital hallways.
He didn't need a tranfusion.

He also has not had to get a port so far. He resisted when they suggested it, and they went along with it as long as his veins hold up. so far so good.

He is at Aultman. His DIL has worked there for 20 years and knows the best of the best. She even got him into the top oncologist ( Dr Manusek)there when he wasn't taking new patients.

The only complaint we had was, they knew he was coming, and we were told to get to the hospital right away, but he was there almost 3 hours before they even started antibiotics. They told us at the beginning, that he had an hour to get to the hospital when he spiked a fever because things could go bad very quickly. But it worked out well anyway.

If he continues to improve, and his blood work comes back okay, He may get to come home today.

Take care and God Bless...sally