Nine to Nine - December 9, 2010

We pulled out of the driveway a little before 9 AM this morning and arrived at NYUCC a little before 11. One of the first things they did was to take Pete's temp. He had taken Advil around 4 AM, so when he awakened he was cool, but on the ride up he knew the fever was returning because his head ached and he started having bad chills. One of the first things they did when we went in was to take his temp; it was 102.3, into the danger zone for cancer patients.

They disconnected the chemo infusion pump; he had only hours left on it to complete the regimen. They started IV fluids because he was dehydrated and then IV antibiotics, Vancomycin and Cefepime, and of course another bolus of Mesna. The normal blood work was drawn, but they also drew some from the port and from his arm for cultures. Today's nurse, T, explained that they draw from 2 places to compare the cultures and determine whether there is an infection at or near one of the sites, in this case they are concerned about the port. Because of the problems he had with the needle coming out they need to check this out. If the port has become infected it will have to be removed and a new port implanted.

Dr R said that if the fever was not gone by 6 PM, Pete would have to be taken to the hospital and admitted for at least over night, as the cancer center closes at 8 PM and has no overnight facilities. The prospect of hospitalization was not something any of us, including Dr R, was looking forward to. Fortunately, Pete did rally and even ate a half of a sandwich around 3 or so. By the time all the IVs finished it was just a little before 7. We pulled into the driveway shortly before 9.

We have to go back in tomorrow for more IV antibiotics, fluids and, since we're there, he'll get the Neulasta shot. His WBC and RBC counts are pretty low because he's at the tail end of the chemo infusion. The Neulasta is the white blood cell booster, but they want to make certain he's got as much help fighting this infection as possible, so he'll also be getting a transfusion of 2 units of whole blood. They want him in between 8:30 and 9 which means we need to leave here around 6:30. It's going to be another long day.

The antibiotics have to be given over 3 days and he'll need more hydration, so we'll be going in again on Saturday. If his fever is still hanging around on Sunday, we'll have no choice but to go to the hospital since the Cancer Center isn't open nights or Sundays. The Costco pharmacy is having their holiday party on Sunday and Pete's been invited. At this point, considering his very precarious state, I don't think that he'll be attending.