May 14, 2004

Main Page • John's Journal (2000-2003) • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

It is 7:30 P.M. on Thursday, and it does not look like we will be going home tonight. This is Michelle, writing in place of John.

 

After feeling great on Tuesday, John discovered he had a fever Tuesday night at 11:00 . That was the beginning of a long night of no sleep. John called the clinic and the nurses did not seem to think it was necessary for him to be seen by a doctor at that time. They did ask him to continue to check his temperature and call back if his temperature rose. Wednesday, day seven, John and my mom, Pat, went to the clinic to begin a series of blood draws every two hours to check the level of MMF in John's blood. John was planning to go from the clinic to the apartment between blood draws. Since he had a fever accompanied by a very bad headache, the nurses wanted him to remain at the clinic. He received IV antibiotics and fluids. In addition, he had a chest x-ray and every imaginable test to determine the cause of the fever. I came up to Seattle to relieve my mom and send her home to take care of the boys. We haven't decided who is more work, John or the three boys.

 

By 4:00 P.M. , John's temperature had gone down and the nurses released us from the clinic to return to our apartment. By 6:00 P.M., John's temperature was 101.3, we called the clinic and headed to the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC). John was admitted. A different broad spectrum antibiotic IV drip was started and more IV fluids given. His headache and fever continued. By 3:00 A.M. Thursday morning, John's fever was 103.2.

 

All day today, Thursday, John battled his fever. The nurses were giving him Tylenol, fluids, and antibiotics. The night was not very restful. John's fever continued to rise, as high as 104.8 even with Tylenol and icepacks on him. He was also receiving some oxygen through a tube in his nose. I am certain I was unable to sleep, so I would be awake to pray. The doctors are kind of baffled that John's fever continues to rise despite all the Tylenol and the antibiotics. A new antibiotic was given at midnight last night. John received a CT scan of his sinuses this morning (Friday) to see if that could be the source of infection. We wait for those results.

 

The team of doctors just visited with news that they have discontinued the antibiotic that John originally was receiving. They will continue with the antibiotic that was given at midnight , and they are adding a different new, broader scope antibiotic.

 

Thank you for the ongoing prayer support. John stated as we drove to the UWMC that it was the most afraid he has been since his original diagnosis, ten years ago. I rank last night as my most fearful time. I do know that God is in control.

"I will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous." Joshua 1:5-6

 

Update for May 14th: John's fever continues today, had CT scan, results came back normal, so source of fever is still unclear.  He and Michelle are obviously frustrated by this and ask for continued specific prayer to get the fever under control. John has had visits from Pastor Nordley and found comfort his quotes from Romans 5; 1-11 (Michelle suggests everyone look this up.)  Kirk Dodge also visited yesterday afternoon, and Steve McCammon, Jeff Short, and Jeff Nelson were by to visit this afternoon.

 

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