Critical Condition

Dear friends,

Min Ser will most likely be admitted to ICU today. He has trouble breathing unaided as the fungal infection in the lungs is quite serious now. It was difficult to breathe, but now better on a respirator. Doctors will monitor him on the respirator and decide when to put him into the ICU. Once in ICU they will insert in a tube for oxygen and will put him under anesthetic so as not to exert his lungs. That being said there is a 1 in 3 chances he may not make it through the first night in ICU.

His white cell counts especially the Neotrophils are still at 0. The anti fungal medication can only sustain him until the white cell counts recover but even on the strongest anti fungal medication, the infection in the lungs has spread. The goal of putting him in ICU is still for his white counts to recover to counter the infection.

His family is now with him to spend time with him. Doctors ask to be prepared for the worse case scenario, but we are still praying and trusting that Min Ser will pull through. Ultimately, our lives are in our Father's good hands.

Day 38 - fungal infection

Latest blood culture shows signs of yeast, ie: a fungal infection. The infection can effect major organs (liver, kidneys, heart) or the eyes. An eye check will be done today and a CT Scan tomorrow. Treatment of anti-fungal meds is based on severity. It can be anytime from 2 weeks (no infection in organs) to 2 months (infection in organs).

He still has fever on and off even though he is on paracetamol every 6 hours. When he does not have fever, it's a good day, and he feels fine and can eat. On high fever days, he will just want to try to sleep. Yesterday was a good day. This morning, not so good, with temperature of 40.8C

Based on today's blood counts still no change. Overall white blood count is 0.2, and Neotrophils are at 0.0

Continue to pray for recovery of Neotrophils & no fungal infection in his organs.

Day 34

Based on today's blood test. No change in Min Ser's white cell counts. Still the same as Monday's. I think it's either 0.0 or 0.2

His fever was under control these past two days and he felt better this morning, but there was a spike tonight. He still has dry cough and appetite is not that good, but he has been back on semi solids for the past two days.

So yeah, just keep praying for progress. For the neotrophils in his white cells to be created and multiply quickly.

Day 31

So just a short update, there hasn't been any progress in Min Ser's white cell counts and he is still purely only consuming Ensure and light fluids.

He also still has high fever daily and is sleeping all the time. These conditions should slowly resolve itself when his counts go up. Next blood test will be on Thursday.

Day 29

Based on today's latest blood test, there is so far no progress in Min Ser's blood counts. Doctor did mention though that post transplant recovery from chemo takes longer then it did pre-transplant. So yups, nothing much we can do now but wait and pray.

Min Ser was relatively fever free yesterday except for a spike of 40C last night. Not sure what's causing the spikes. But doctors are monitoring him.

So maybe it'll take another week plus

So ok, Dr Chang just came in, and he mentioned that it may take another week or so before he can be discharged. Mainly due to the fungal lesions on his legs hitch may need monitoring and continuous anti fungal meds. Either way Min Ser is ok to stay as long as he is well.

He still can't really eat solids yet as he is still having lack of saliva. So he is still on liquid diet. He took six cups of Ensure yesterday, and felt pretty full on it.

Day 28 - Feeling better

Min Ser feels better this morning. Which is a good indication that his white cell counts are on the rise. So far no fever this morning, since yesterday's spikes of 40C fever.

Leg cramps are slightly better but still hard to walk. Good news though, there will be a blood test done tomorrow, so we don't have to wait until Monday. In fact, if his counts are significantly higher, that is 1.0 and up, he may be discharged tomorrow, if not then highly likely Monday. All in all, it's dependent on his white cell counts.

Thank you all for praying, do continue to pray for recovery of his blood counts. Especially the white cells and the platelets (which has also been on the low end).

Stuff I do in the hospital

This has been the longest chemo cycle yet. It's rare to not have progress in his counts for more than a week.

I've been pretty much living in the hospital. I've been sleeping here and bathing here since two Sundays ago, having taken a break day last Friday.

Initially on the first 2 week, I had two break days a week, but lately our other caregivers are either busy or not feeling too well.

But the way I see it, any break day at all is a bonus and not given. Primarily because there really is no one else who should have to play this role. As a wife, when I vowed to be true in good times or in bad, in sickness or in health, I should very well mean it. Plus Min Ser is most comfortable with me around when he is feeling really crappy.

So anyway, this post is about what I do in hospital as I get asked this question pretty often.

Well, besides the caregiver role like making drinks, feeding the drinks, helping him change and towel down when feverish, monitoring his drips to call the nurse once it's done, fetching and cleaning the urinal when he needs to pee, supporting him to the bathroom when he needs to go...

I also still try to do some work. I market the properties I have on hand and have helped clients access their financial ability to take a mortgage. But... needless to say, I had to intentionally slow down especially when it comes to servicing new property marketing leads. But I still managed to arrange a couple of viewings since I've been here, as and when it lands on my break day, or when Min Ser's dad is in the hospital, and I can go out for a bit. On break days, if there are no viewings, I will spend time with Jo.

Besides work, recreationally, I read; The Bible, books, websites, Facebook articles and posts (hmmm... does FB count as reading)?

I watch videos on YouTube. I also play the occasional games on my iPad.

I've also been updating my social networks on Pinterest, Linked-in, and may consider reviving my Instagram and Twitter (hmmm... is it considered reviving when it has always been pretty much dead).

So... recreationally, I'm basically doing stuff I don't easily get to do on a regular 'working mum who takes care of her own kid' days.

Day 27 - Pray for white cell counts

In this ward, blood test to monitor cell counts are taken on Mondays and Thursdays.

As of today, his counts are still low. His white cell counts has been 0.2 since last Thursday. Normal count is 4.0 and above. So no progress in the past 8 days. It is imperative for white cell counts (especially the neutrophils) to increase in order for overall blood counts to recover.

Once his white counts recover, his femoral line can be removed.

Min Ser is also feeling quite discouraged as he feels horrible. He has been trying to be positive but today is tough, especially as his white counts has no signs of progress.

He has been having fever almost everyday for more than a week (range from 37.7 - 39.7) and finds it hard to rest especially at night so he tries to sleep most of the day.

Today his throat is very dry, and he coughs at night. He doesn't feel like solids now and will just drink Ensure or other fluids. His taste buds are gone, food has no taste, except for slight sweetness.

His calf muscles are cramp and he cannot walk, and hurts at times when he moves his legs. He also has mild spots of gangrene and candidiasis. Docs are aware and is covering with lots of antibiotics and anti fungal meds.

So that's his condition as of today. Thanks for all your prayers. Today onwards, primarily pray for his white counts to go up. The blood test will be taken again on Monday. Thanks!

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Below is Min Ser's prayer request yesterday, which explains some other details:

Discovered a fungal and bacterial infection in my blood that's causing fever and minor gangrene in legs and some skin swelling.

These specific infections tend to colonize the IV tube that is inserted into my inner thigh (there is a layer of bio-protective gel that prevents the medicine from reaching the bacteria/fungus).

The IV tube is needed to administer antibiotics and blood transfusions. A new tube was inserted on Mon, but it's a matter of time before new one gets colonized again.

The best solution is for my own white blood cells to start multiplying again to fight the infections. Interestingly, the doctor today told me with a smile to say a big prayer for my white cells to come up :)

Thank you.

Day 18 of Chemo Cycle

It's been 18 days since chemo started. Min Ser's blood counts are at the lowest, been so for a few days now. It is expected due to the strong dose of chemo and his counts may take a week plus to come back up. We also notice his hair starting to drop today.

He's been having platelet transfusions almost every other day and blood transfusions too when needed.

He has been having fever for the past few days though on antibiotics and anti fungal. Doctors are monitoring for signs of infection with blood cultures and also monitoring antibiotic levels (so they do take blood pretty often).

So far no obvious signs of infection or chemo effects as he can still eat and sleep relatively well despite the fever. He is coping pretty well actually. If he is not sleeping, he spends time reading the bible. He has almost completed the NT, now running through the gospels. He also plays games on his iPhone.

So nothing much to do now besides wait, pray and hope.