Unit 1
Weight: 16. Kg
Nurse: Beki/Becky/Renee
Quick Update for day 28/29 in Hospital
Your dad has had his hands full this week with you so I thought I would do a quick update from home. This information is from dad and I hope I have understood it correctly.
The main concern right now is your fluids. You actually gained approx. 7 pounds since we last weighed you Thursday, most of it came on Saturday and Sunday. You are so swollen that you had to go up a size in diapers because they cut into you so bad. Your dad said it is very hard to see you looking like this and you are also in a lot of pain because of it, you are just uncomfortable and angry when you are awake. They have some meds that centralize your fluid and then try to flush the unnecessary fluid out. You have had these meds a few times, but they don't seem to react like you did before. The other side to this treatment is trying to manage all the electrolytes in your body. Your blood work keeps coming back low on potassium magnesium, that effects your heart's operation as well as low levels of phosphates and platelets. So we are running non-stop electrolyte bolus's as well as good size flow of saline with potassium in it. So when they give you the Albumin (collects fluid) and Lasix (gets rid of fluid) it lowers these electrolytes.
Its a tough balance that it also effects your pain management. The morphine causes the digestive system to slow down as well as making you very drowsy so you can't tell us where you hurt. It is very frustrating for you, the medical staff and your dad. The Pain Control Team (PTC) has tried a few things to help with this, on the 22nd we halved your morphine by putting you on a small amount of Ketamine. By the end of the 22nd day you were more alert and could work with us to localize the pain. As we said above, your reaction to the Lasix is still a little slow, so you are no longer taking morphine and switching to hydro-morph.
Your breathing is still doing pretty good and you have not gone back to nose prongs because you are stable enough on blow by. You help to clear your throat by coughing and bringing the mucus to the front for suction, this makes everyone feel much better. We are pretty sure we won't get a break from the hospital before your next round of chemo starts, but we are learning a lot about how your body reacts to the drugs to be ready for round 3. You are one tough little man, its amazing what you can endure.
I can't wait to see you tomorrow. I have an appointment tomorrow with my surgeon, regarding my back, and I hope it goes well. After my appointment, I can come up and give your dad a much needed hand. Even though I can't lift or anything I can be there for support. Note how long your Beaded Journey is getting in the picture below.
Love you buddy,
Mom and Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment