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
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Week of May 5th and 12th
Last week Nancy had appointments with all four doctors; the wound specialist, surgeon, radiologist and oncologist. The consensus was the wounds must be healed before radiation can continue. The wound specialist estimated four to six weeks. In addition he recommended enhanced treatments for the wounds to speed up the processes.
Obviously Nancy was disappointed and frustrated at the six week delay in resuming radiation. The oncologist assured her that since she was taking Arimidex (hormone cancer fighting drug) she would not have to stress over the postponement of radiation treatments.
The wounds require daily treatments and once again our children who are nurses have stepped up to the challenge and change the dressings and other treatments each day. What a blessing from God for our family.
After this very stressful week we took a road trip to Napoleon, Ohio for our grandson's third birthday party. It was fun to be with our family temporarily forget about all that lies ahead and celebrate with all the family.
The treatments the wound specialist recommended will begin next week. Hyperbaric treatments will be performed at the hospital. This treatment gives the tissue accelerated oxygen while she lays in a chamber. This will be six weeks, five days per week.
In addition she will begin a "wound vac" treatment 24/7 until the wounds heal. This is a small apparatus she will have to use along with some packing to help heal the wound.
While she has been stoic through this whole process the latest news and set back has her disappointed and frustrated.
So; please continue to pray for her.
Thanks
Bob
Obviously Nancy was disappointed and frustrated at the six week delay in resuming radiation. The oncologist assured her that since she was taking Arimidex (hormone cancer fighting drug) she would not have to stress over the postponement of radiation treatments.
The wounds require daily treatments and once again our children who are nurses have stepped up to the challenge and change the dressings and other treatments each day. What a blessing from God for our family.
After this very stressful week we took a road trip to Napoleon, Ohio for our grandson's third birthday party. It was fun to be with our family temporarily forget about all that lies ahead and celebrate with all the family.
The treatments the wound specialist recommended will begin next week. Hyperbaric treatments will be performed at the hospital. This treatment gives the tissue accelerated oxygen while she lays in a chamber. This will be six weeks, five days per week.
In addition she will begin a "wound vac" treatment 24/7 until the wounds heal. This is a small apparatus she will have to use along with some packing to help heal the wound.
While she has been stoic through this whole process the latest news and set back has her disappointed and frustrated.
So; please continue to pray for her.
Thanks
Bob
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Week of 4/28/2013
With the news of the infection and the fact she had to see a wound specialist this was a week of disappointment for Nancy. She was on IV antibiotics all week. Until the wound heals she has to delay radiation treatments and so she has to prolong this phase.
When she is better she will have to start all over with the radiologist team and that means re-marking her for her treatments when she returns. The radiologist team had just "perfected" the procedure down to 45 minutes before the infection was discovered.
Initially we were expecting a 10 minute radiology treatment, but that did not happen. 45 minutes is a long time to have to lay still with your hands over your head while they radiate. However it was better than the two hours she had to lay still om several occasions as they mapped out her treatment.
It has been a blessing to have three nurses in our family and that allowed her to stay home for the IV antibiotics and wound treatment. Otherwise she would have had to go to the hospital. Our kids have been so supportive and we are very proud of all of them.
Thanks for all of the prayers, food, transportation. thoughts and flowers.
Bob
When she is better she will have to start all over with the radiologist team and that means re-marking her for her treatments when she returns. The radiologist team had just "perfected" the procedure down to 45 minutes before the infection was discovered.
Initially we were expecting a 10 minute radiology treatment, but that did not happen. 45 minutes is a long time to have to lay still with your hands over your head while they radiate. However it was better than the two hours she had to lay still om several occasions as they mapped out her treatment.
It has been a blessing to have three nurses in our family and that allowed her to stay home for the IV antibiotics and wound treatment. Otherwise she would have had to go to the hospital. Our kids have been so supportive and we are very proud of all of them.
Thanks for all of the prayers, food, transportation. thoughts and flowers.
Bob
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