Joanne and I bought hats today at the shop on the first floor of the cancer center. It was so great to get out of my hospital room (which feels like a prison cell) even just to a store on another floor of this hospital building.
Due to the fact that I am still a patient with Fever of Unknown Origin (FUO) the Infectious Disease Specialist came by to evaluate me. They looked at the central line site and said that it looked good and asked me a lot of questions trying to pinpoint when the first fever presented itself. They reviewed all of my labs and determined that it was nothing in the cultures that would cause a fever. They then decided that it could be caused by the injections of the Filgrastim which is given to stimulate the production of a new immune system. Dr. Brodsky and one of the IPOP nurses suggested that that was also a possibility – but no one can officially confirm it.
Speaking of Dr. Brodsky – I was so thrilled to see him today – he had been away in Chicago at a conference when I got admitted so I wasn’t able to see his smiling face to reassure me about my Fever of Unknown Origin. Although when he arrived in my room – I was in tears (due to the emotional rollercoaster of this intense treatment protocol). So I didn’t greet him with my typical smiling “HI!”, but I left a message with his secretary after his visit to let him know that I was so happy that he took time out of his busy schedule to come and reassure me and tell me that everything was going to be ok. In fact, he said something so wonderful. When he asked why I was upset about my 104 fever, he reminded me that a high fever was a guarantee upfront and that I was not only going to survive (knock on wood) but I was going to do great.
Since I am scheduled to have three more transfusions tonite – I asked Joanne if she would mind coming back to the hospital to sit with me during part of the time. Being as wonderful as she is – she didn’t hesitate to say yes and to hop on the next shuttle from the hotel and to get right to the hospital. It’s very comforting to have her by my side during this leg of the protocol.
By the way, I did 6 laps with my nurse in the morning and 6 laps with Joanne at 11:00pm!
2 comments:
Hi Joanie,
Glad to hear your fever is down. Can you tell me what's going on re my coming down there? Plane ticket, etc.? Thanks,
Marty
Joan! So happy you were able to see Dr. Brodsky yesterday. I know you have the utmost trust in him and his abilities. You must have had a sigh of relief from his diagnosis. I'm glad that one of us is there with you. Joanne is a wonderful friend and caring person. Can't think of anyone better to be with you, except me of course (ha, ha)! I understand that ice has explored some uncharted areas, that have not been explored before! Did you get a BIG CHILL? Hopefully you have a better day today. The kids are doing fine, and Teddy misses you! Hope to talk with you live sometime today! LOVE, MARILYN
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