Week of May 19th and 26th

Last week Nancy started her Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments and the process was actually a little easier than she anticipated. It takes roughly three hours; 30 minutes to pressurize the chamber; 90 minutes of oxygen and 30 minutes to de-pressurize. The treatment is meant to enhance the blood cells with pure oxygen and accelerate the healing of the wounds.

In addition she started a treatment called a wound vac meant to help the healing process, but the packing irritated her skin so they had to suspend that after one day.

Later in the week she started to run a fever and on Thursday evening 5/23 we called the doctor who started her on antibiotic. Friday the fever was not going away and we went to cancer center at the hospital. She spent the day there and received IV fluids, more antibiotics and medicine to bring the temperature down. Late in the afternoon her temperature was normal and we went home.

Overnight on Friday 5/24 and on Saturday 5/25 the temperature came back and in the afternoon we took her to the ER where she was admitted. Saturday night and into Sunday her temperature continued to rise and blood pressure drop and she was moved to the ICU where she spent three days.
She was seen by many specialist including an infectious disease doctor. She is on several antibiotics and they were able to stabilize her temperature and blood pressure. The source of the fever is a Staph infection and MRSA. The doctor also said she had toxic shock syndrome.

She went back to the oncology floor on Wednesday and was starting to feel a little better. Thursday 5/30 she was sitting up and also able to take a few brief walks. The doctor was thinking she might be able to come home on Saturday if things stayed stable.

Today, Friday 5/31, she is not feeling well again, so it is doubtful she will come home tomorrow.
Needless to say she has suffered a very tough week. She wishes to thank all who have called, text'd, and e-mailed their love, prayers and thoughts, but she has obviously been unable to respond.

Please keep the prayers coming. The doctors and nurses and assistants have all done a wonderful job during this critical period and we say a prayer of thanksgiving to all who have come to our aid.

Bob