One step forward five steps back?

I spoke too soon. 

And then I didn’t want everyone to be worried again after being more hopeful, so I kept quiet for a few days.

But until late yesterday Scott was still in rough shape. If he took a turn for the better three days ago, he immediately did a u-turn to get back to where he was… Maybe worse. Sick and in pain.

They are unsure of the cause of the infection in his blood, but are treating it with a broad spectrum antibiotic. He’s had X-rays (for his stomach and digestive system) an echo and an EKG to help figure out what’s going on. His GI problems could all be related to the chemo but it’s hard to say.

Yesterday on top of everything else, he had a bad reaction to a bag of platelets after his transfusion… Broke out in hives, rash on his body, spiked a fever, itchy red palms… The works. Our favourite fast acting nurse promptly administered a heavy dose of Benadryl that slowed down the reaction, avoiding potential anaphylaxis. Phewf.

It’s so crazy that a therapy he’s had a dozen times since starting treatment would suddenly cause this reaction. But each bag of platelets is gathered from about 10 donors, so one of the donors in this bag may have had an antibody that didn’t agree with Scott’s immune system. Just when you start to get comfortable with elements of the process! Aside from some serious Benadryl induced grogginess, the allergic reaction hasn’t shown any other ill effects. Going forward he will be treated with meds before each transfusion to be safe.

Ok but that all said, today was a MUCH better day. The dietician gave Scott some tools for starting to eat again and ensuring his body is getting the necessary nutrients. He’s slowly been attempting certain “safe” foods yesterday and today, but it’s hard to not be a bit gun shy. Food hasn’t exactly been friendly to our guy lately.

The chemo takes seven days to be cleared from the body, so hopefully now as his body attempts recovery he won’t be feeling so poor.

With all this focus on his sickness and pain, we have been paying much less attention to blood levels etc. He is however zeroed out on the neuts again and overall just wiped out right now.

But there’s a bit of a sparkle in his eye today, and an eagerness to help himself feel better. Both are reassuring that brighter days are ahead.