The Walk Beside

Hospital Happenings

Posted on April 24th, 2008 by Cam.
Categories: Let's talk.

An inaugural entry from Libby (Cam’s wife and blog proxy) ….

Yesterday afternoon Cam and I were advised to go into the Emergency Dept after Cam developed a temperature (called febrile neutropenia). Cam had previously been given a “VIP/medic alert” card in the event that this situation occurred. This card proved invaluable as Cam was triaged, sent straight through and given a bed in an isolation room. We were especially grateful for this as the hosp and ED had been full and one other patient we spoke to had already being waiting 6hrs to be seen. We’re now considering selling this card on ebay when we’re finished with it.

Cam was promptly seen by the ED and haematology doctors and they decided that Cam needed to be admitted to hosp. Cam spent the next 18hrs in ED until a single room became available this afternoon on the ward.

We’re still not sure where the source of the infection is- so Cam has had a lot of tests, and samples taken and in the mean time has been started on three strong, broad-spectrum, IV antibiotics. He’s feeling pretty exhausted, and has been able to sleep well for most of the day. His sleep is now being aided by a fentanyl patch (like morphine) which, in keeping with Cam’s love for prescription medications, he is embracing. His temp today has been up to 39.2C- so he’s been alternating been shivering and sweats.

The length of his hospital stay will depend on where the infection is (it will take about 3 days to get the results of the cultures) and how quickly his immune blood counts increase. We’ve been told to expect anywhere from 3 days-2weeks. Stay tuned…

Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers- we feel very well supported. We’re seeing this hosp admission as part of what we were told to expect for this treatment- so we don’t feel anxious about it and feel that we are in good hands.

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