November 3, 2006 - Complications

• Nov 3 - We are supposed to go home today but Lillian has started running a fever. They draw blood cultures and send us home anyway. Two hours after arriving at home, the hospital called to say we would need to return as Lillian's cultures were positive for a bacterial infection. As we entered a new room in 10N, Lillian started yelling "no, no, no" as though she knew what was in store. They immediately started her on intravenous antibiotics.
• Nov 4 - Surgeons look at her Hickman and confirm that it is likely the source of the infection as it continues to ooze. They want to remove it but can't schedule it until the following morning. Lillian's fever was 103 and she was miserable.
• Nov 5 - The Hickman was removed and the surgeon put an iv in her foot for blood draws and to administer the antibiotics. (This was only after poking her several times in both arms.) Par for the course, the nurses were unable to draw blood from the iv but could still administer the antibiotics. They brought in a phlebotomist to draw blood. What a rude awakening at 5am.
• Nov 6 - Another rude awakening but this time the phlebotomist wasn't able to draw blood. A second phlebotomist tried again unsuccessfully. They decide to place a PICC line in her arm as the iv in her foot was starting to fail. PICC lines can last weeks if needed vs. peripheral iv's which only last a few days. We needed the infection to clear before putting in a new Hickman and they had no placement options left for peripheral iv's.
• Nov 7 - Apparently the entire PICC line team was at a conference. Fortunately they found someone at home who was willing to come in. But the sedation team is booked solid. Since Lillian is lethargic due to the fever and generally a model patient, we decide to try the PICC line placement with just pain medicine. Lillian was amazing but the PICC line team could not get the veins to cooperate. Lillian's arms and feet look like pincushions.
• Nov 8 - Another attempt at the PICC line, this time under sedation. Success! Lillian continued to be lethargic and won't focus on anyone or anything. Her white blood cell counts are zero which is expected after chemo.
• Nov 9 - The neurosurgeons are brought in to examine Lillian and request a CT scan. As we moved Lillian from her bed to the transport, she vomited. We did a quick clean up and I held her in the bed as we ran to the CT scan. The similarities to her tumor symptoms are unnerving. The scan reading showed significant hydrocephalus. Though we thought we were out of the woods, apparently it can build over the course of a month. Lillian will need a shunt.
• Nov 10 - The shunt was placed successfully though Lillian's heart rate is low and blood pressure was high afterward. This is the opposite of what they expect to happen.
• Nov 11 - Since her vitals are still wacky, she has another quick MRI which confirmed that the shunt was working correctly. Her fever subsided, her white cell counts are coming back up and her blood cultures are negative.
• Nov 13 - Yet another surgery to place the new Hickman. The surgeon cuts the bandage in the shape of a heart. As the oncologist said, what surgeon takes the time to cut a bandage in the shape of a heart? But this is indicative of the care we have received throughout this ordeal.
• Nov 14 - With her white cells peaking, it was time to collect stem cells. These will be replaced as the chemo destroys the bone marrow. The hematologist warns us that it will likely take three consecutive attempts to harvest enough cells. Typically they get 5 per draw and they needed 15. But our little miracle delivered 21 in the first harvest.
  
  If you're still with us after all of that, I'll spare you any additional verbosity. Instead, I'll leave you with my life verse which seems incredibly appropriate:
  
  Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.