Another Night in the ER...

Yesterday started out really well.  We were both excited (if that's even possible) to have this chemo treatment be the last of Round 3, then a week of rest, then on to conquer Round 4.  And it was a beautiful sunny day... that always helps. :)
 

Last day of Round 3!

The infusion was without problems!  IV in on one try, drugs pumped through at a decent volume... We were out of there in no time at all.  When we got home, Rob was wiped out (yeah, the chemo has a way of doing that to him), and he laid down and fell into a very deep sleep for a couple of hours.

He woke up around 6:30pm, on fire.  His temp was 101.  I gave him two Tylenol and he rested more.  At 8pm it was 101.8, so we called his oncologist.  Anything over 100.4 is not good  --  especially for chemo patients, and more importantly, for urostomy patients.  At 8:45pm it was 101.9, and we called again.  The answering service returned our call at 9pm and told us to get to the ER.  *sigh*  We did.

The short story, after many more pokes, prods, tests, and cultures  --  Rob has a urinary infection.  This is extremely dangerous for Rob, as he has no bladder to filter the infection and keep it from spreading...  it can go straight to his kidneys, which are already very taxed due to the chemo.

So they gave him a big IV blast of antibiotics, and sent us home with a prescription for more, on the promise that we would return if it worsened.  I think we also have to get in to see his doctor today, too.  I'll have to recheck the paperwork.  They're running 2-4 different blood cultures that can take several days, so we will continue to wait on those.

Early morning hours in the ER...

We don't know how or where he got the infection.  We are both very careful about keeping things sterile.  He makes a great effort to drink lots of water daily, and all the special juices and foods to help and not hinder.  

But something happened somewhere.

We got back home around 2:30am, and we changed both the pouch and the night drainage system just to be sure.  We crawled into bed around 3am.  I was up until after 3:30am trying to shut down my crazy hundred-mile-an-hour thought stream.

There are a line of flowery bushes on a fence running the depth of our property, about four feet from our bedroom window, which was open all night for the nice, fresh air.  These bushes seem to be the gathering place of little sparrows, and they were chattering up a storm at 5:45am.  I can't say I blame them...  there was another beautiful day dawning, and they were very excited to be in it.  I had to get up anyways...

I put the dog out, fed her and the cat, looked in on my ever-surviving sick little fish, and took a quiet shower in the dark.  I have to go get Rob's prescription filled, and call to see if he has to see the doc today.  And I've got a head-full of things to do in regards to packing and moving.  And I want to drop a couple of things over to Colie's house today, too.

Yes, I am running on empty, but filled with strength.  I am tired, but I am alive.  And in view of everything, I am blessed beyond measure.

Please keep praying for my Rob.  For healing from this infection, for peace in his soul, for encouragement and positive thinking.  

I can ask nothing more.

I just sneaked in and felt Rob's forehead...  warm, not hot.  Yay!  That's a good thing!  I'll keep you posted on the progress.  Yes, I did say progress...
 
I am filled with faith, even now. :)

Have a beautiful day today!


In Love and Washed In Peace,

Cheri  ♥