Wow, I just typed the date in and can't believe it's February already - the days have tended to blend into one big blur lately.
Fantastic news - Luke went down to get the central line put in around 12pm. All went well and he now has his permanent central line in his chest. It looks and no doubt will feel strange to Luke having a bit of tubing with two lines coming off it dangling from his chest.
They cleaned up the wound from the failed central line on the other side of his chest this morning. The blood clot around the wound came off in one large clot however it is still seeping slightly. For the information of those who were unlucky enough to see him in that state, it now just looks like a bleeding sore with a patch on it.
Being as anxious as we were about trying this procedure again, we walked all the way into the angiography room this time. Unfortunately the nurse who had been so kind to us after the 1st attempt said that the same radiographer would be doing the procedure and it was a good thing he knew about Luke and would be more careful this time!!! Can't say my nerves were too good at that point!! However within 20 minutes or so she came out and said it was all done and he was fine.
He came back up to the ward and ate some lunch. His blood levels have dropped again so he his having 2 blood transfusions this afternoon/night. Some people are interested in the numbers so:
Hemaglobin was 85 yesterday / 74 today
White Cell count 1.4 yesterday / 1.0 today
Platelets 36 yesterday / 26 today - one could only hope these had increased from the levels of 13 he had the other day. He has had 2 further bags of platelets since Saturday. Platelets do not last long in the body.
Dr Dipti Talaulikar (we just call her Dr Dipti) saw him this afternoon and said we will commence chemo tomorrow.
Murray has just ducked into work quickly (with Amy in tow) and Luke is sleeping. Once I post this blog I'm also about to put my head down for a nanny nap. It's a bit like the old days in the maternity ward of trying to get a bit of sleep when the baby does - except I've got a much bigger baby now!!!!
Journey Update - 31 January 2010
A big thank you to Heidi (Luke's aunty) for setting up this blog. Between Murray, Heidi and I we will try to update this information as regularly as possibly to keep anyone who would like to access the blog informed about his progress. Feel free to pass Luke's Journey blog address to anyone who you think may be interested.
(Note: the blog will always show Heidi as posting an entry as the account is in her name)
Luke has received some more blood transfusions and platelets. His red blood cell count (haemoglobin)has gone up to 84 and his platlets have increased to 22. This is good news as the platelets have been down to 12. To give you an idea the normal adult male haemoglobin range is 130 - 170 and the platelet count is between 150 and 400. His white blood cells are down as a result of the steriods, which is a good thing. He had no energy this morning and some discomfort from the failed central line site. I'm really excited now though as he ate properly for the first time since Wednesday early morning. Would you believe he ate roast turkey and mashed potatoes!! The rest of the day we hope will be for lots of rest ready for the central line to go in hopefully early tomorrow morning.
(Note: the blog will always show Heidi as posting an entry as the account is in her name)
Luke has received some more blood transfusions and platelets. His red blood cell count (haemoglobin)has gone up to 84 and his platlets have increased to 22. This is good news as the platelets have been down to 12. To give you an idea the normal adult male haemoglobin range is 130 - 170 and the platelet count is between 150 and 400. His white blood cells are down as a result of the steriods, which is a good thing. He had no energy this morning and some discomfort from the failed central line site. I'm really excited now though as he ate properly for the first time since Wednesday early morning. Would you believe he ate roast turkey and mashed potatoes!! The rest of the day we hope will be for lots of rest ready for the central line to go in hopefully early tomorrow morning.
Journey Update - 30 January 2010
Yesterday the hospital attempted to put a Hickman(central) line into Luke's chest to assist in taking blood, giving transfusions and drugs such as his chemotherapy. During this procedure there were complications and they aborted putting in the line. This was probably due to Luke's blood not clotting. He has since been given some platelets and some blood to bring up his blood count so they can put in the Hickman line hopefully on Monday. Once this is in Luke can begin his chemotherapy. In the meantime they have started pre chemo cortico-steroid treatment (8 tablets a day).
The Journey Begins
Each day brings more information and understanding. It has been a great shock and we continue to question why and how this could happen to Luke at such a young age and to someone who was in good health.
Doctors and nurses have a treatment plan to help Luke fight this disease. Luke has been in hospital since Monday at Canberra hospital in the Oncology Acute Care ward. On admission he was in pain from a bigger than normal spleen but is now comfortable from pain relief. We have been told to expect 8 – 9 months of treatment with about 4 to 5 weeks in hospital for the initial chemo treatment.
Luke and family have received many well wishes and are appreciative of the great support of family and friends. Family located in Canberra have been at the hospital offering support and care. Luke was visited by some of his mates on Thursday and was in high spirits. Murray and Chrissie are staying at the hospital taking it in turns to stay over night. Amy has been at the hospital with her parents and Luke, coming home each night to spend time with her mum and dad. Luke is his usual cool self taking everything in his stride and not trying to make it a big deal. Thanks to everyone for their support, well wishes and thoughts. It is greatly appreciated. Chrissie has been reading out text messages and emails. He also has a pin board that we can put up any cards, notes for a bit of colour on his wall. Luke is eating very little, preferring ice cups and water. He is very pale, to be understood given his blood is the problem.
Doctors and nurses have a treatment plan to help Luke fight this disease. Luke has been in hospital since Monday at Canberra hospital in the Oncology Acute Care ward. On admission he was in pain from a bigger than normal spleen but is now comfortable from pain relief. We have been told to expect 8 – 9 months of treatment with about 4 to 5 weeks in hospital for the initial chemo treatment.
Luke and family have received many well wishes and are appreciative of the great support of family and friends. Family located in Canberra have been at the hospital offering support and care. Luke was visited by some of his mates on Thursday and was in high spirits. Murray and Chrissie are staying at the hospital taking it in turns to stay over night. Amy has been at the hospital with her parents and Luke, coming home each night to spend time with her mum and dad. Luke is his usual cool self taking everything in his stride and not trying to make it a big deal. Thanks to everyone for their support, well wishes and thoughts. It is greatly appreciated. Chrissie has been reading out text messages and emails. He also has a pin board that we can put up any cards, notes for a bit of colour on his wall. Luke is eating very little, preferring ice cups and water. He is very pale, to be understood given his blood is the problem.
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