A surprisng week

Last week was a surprise. Things with MLG had settled down, we were expecting to have numerous blood transfusions (as the chemo hits harder) yet this was not the case. MLG’s own body started to work against her.

It started with the usual blood being taken, we had elected to have the GSCF (which is a drug to boost the immune system) given to MLG through her lines (less painful, stressful) even though it was an inconvenience as we had to drive to the hospital. On tuesday blood was taken, counts were made and as predicted MLG had to have both red blood and platelets the whole process would take 5 – 6 hours. AND then it happened, we took her temperature 37.8, this was not good. I drove her to the hospital to have her blood transfusions; the nurses once again took her temperature, 38.7. Now it was to time to time to worry, had we not been in hospital we would have gone straight to the hospital. Slowly MLG’s temperature dropped as the platelets and haemoglobin helped (boost of fluid)  but still her temperature was high, as result she said in hospital for 3 days and 3 nights (I did the nights while my wife did the days). Throughout whole the process meds were given every 8 and twelve hours. Blood cultures were taken and it was found that it was her bacteria (Staphylococcus) that had caused the temperature.

MLG dealt with the experience. I found hard it in part because the sleep deprivation and in part because I saw and heard babies that were screaming in pain, others that were lying with oxygen masks over their faces. The most disturbing experience I had was seeing a 2 week old baby with a cleft pallet  and the fear, concern, distress and love that was on their faces.