Worst Day Yet

On a positive note, Dad's Staph infection is healing nicely.  Yesterday they removed the infected central line and put in a new one on the other side of his chest (sorry for the graphic picture).  We requested special microbial patches (which they accommodated) to help protect the entry site and reduce the risk of any kind of infection.  The old site is healing nicely and has already scabbed over.  He's using some special body wash to reduce any Staph which may live on his skin which is also helping significantly.  His blood pressure and blood sugars have remained very good today.    

However, Dad's numbers continue to plummet with his WBC at .02, HCT at 25 and Platelets at 34.  This means he has no immune system AND he's finally feeling it.  He definitely describes today as his worst day yet.  Lots of fatigue, stomach cramps, no appetite (we're getting him to drink Ensure), and lots of diarrhea.  All expected, but still no fun.  They anticipate this will last thru Sundayish.  Friday he will get a shot that will help some of these counts to start to recover.  We also anticipate he will have to have at least one blood transfusion between Thursday and Sunday as the HCT and Platelets continue to drop.  We also anticipate by early next week he'll start to loose his hair. 

No walk today - couldn't be out of his room that long.  We need to keep him walking every day.  They shared that he will loose 1% muscle mass every day he's in bed and doesn't get any exercise.  As a result, no matter how bad he feels, he needs to be walking.  The RN staff has told us that is one of the hardest parts of this recovery because he's so tired and fatigued and just wants to lay in bed, but with this specific treatment, it's the worst thing to do.  He must get up and walk (farther than the bed to the bathroom).  

We'll be back at the hospital tomorrow and will do our best to find the right time to get him up and moving.  

Thanks for your continued prayers and support!  We'll get a picture of his smiling face tomorrow :)