Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
WBC count 4.5-11.0 K/mcL<br />
Platelet 150-400 K/mcL<br />
RBC count 4.70-6.10 M/mcL<br />
Hemoglobin 14.0-18.0 g/dL<br />
Neutrophil 2.60-8.20 K/mcL<br />
Dad was hospitalized on Feb. 19, so a week after his hospitalization, his counts had not<br />
yet recovered. His immune system (apparently Neutrophil is a key thing) was essentially<br />
non-functional until 10 days after hospital admission, and not normal until 12 days after<br />
admission. His blood (taken upon admission) was positive for gram positive cocci in<br />
clusters, and eventually cultured to show presence of a particular strain of staph. He was<br />
given broad antibiotic coverage initially, then the coverage was reduced to target the<br />
identified strain of bacteria. After he developed a new fever, his coverage was again<br />
broadened.<br />
Dad was moved out of the ICU around midnight on Feb. 23. He was moved into a regular<br />
room <strong>with</strong> neutropenic isolation because of the compromised immune system. This<br />
meant lots of hand washing and wearing a mask. Note to caregivers: Do not try to drink<br />
hot tea <strong>with</strong> a mask on -- I did it twice before I realized I should just not bring drinks into<br />
the room.<br />
Because it was unclear what the initial source of staph was, and because of concern that<br />
the port was either the cause of the infection or had become infected, the port was<br />
removed on Feb. 26.<br />
His heart rate went from 80 to 90 around Feb. 26, then from 90 to 100 on Feb. 27. On<br />
Feb. 28, he stayed awake from mid-afternoon more or less all night. Around 2:30 am he<br />
developed sinus tach at 120 beats per minute, and around 3:00 am he developed atrial<br />
fibrillation at around 140 beats per minute. When dad heard that, he said "oh shit". Some<br />
say doctors make the worst patients, but I think it must be scariest for doctors when they<br />
are patients. They know exactly what they should be scared of.<br />
At that point, I called my mom and let her know what was going on. I intended to let her<br />
know to come in early, but of course she instead decided to come in immediately.<br />
They gave him an IV medication to restore normal rhythm, and his heart rhythm became<br />
normal and his rate dropped back to around 102 to 105 beats per minute. The rate<br />
became normal shortly thereafter. On top of everything else, his pain from the stent was<br />
spiking at that moment. His temperature went from 38.1 to 37.7 back to 38.4 that night.<br />
By the morning, his fever was down to 99.7 (yes, I'm aware that switching between<br />
centigrade and Fahrenheit is confusing) and his pulse was 89.<br />
His antibiotic coverage was broadened, and his temperature returned to normal (or a bit<br />
below normal actually). By February 29, his immune system had recovered enough to<br />
discontinue the isolation precautions. Finally, I can sit next to him and smile <strong>with</strong>out<br />
having a mask covering it all up.<br />
On the morning on March 1, after a few days of rainy, cloudy weather, the sun rose to a<br />
beautiful purple sky that quickly transitioned to blue. There were some clouds, but they<br />
were distant on the horizon. It was an unexpected but wonderful metaphor.<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong><br />
123
Change language