Tales from the Bedside

I was barely managing the start-of-term insanity with work and, because my office is at home these days, I could see and hear what Jeff was up to while not working, waiting for treatment to begin.

He was nesting like a mother-to-be, though often sighing phrases like “What do you think?” and “What next?” and “Well…”  He took care of yardwork, installed a switch for our generator in case of a power outage, changed an electric outlet in the kitchen, puttered in his shop, removed a shrub, dug a hole for a new tree we’d ordered, did some grocery shopping and kept his Grandpop days with our granddaughters (that was deemed “essential”). 

Dr. Porter’s office informed us of their decision to admit Jeff for in-patient treatment so they could more closely monitor his kidneys and blood counts.  It was disappointing to Jeff who previously voiced his opinion that “I’m never going back there.” I was relieved.  In the hospital if he was unable to drink enough water to protect his kidneys- or keep enough down -they could give him IV fluids.  Yes, I thought a week in the hospital would be good idea. 

Jeff was admitted to HUP on October 1^st and completed his 7-day Vidaza/Venetoclax treatment with very few issues.  IV fluids had to be stopped when he began to retain too much water.  His counts, as expected, dipped low enough to require infusions of platelets and red blood on discharge day.  Another transfusion of platelets - and whatever else he may need - is scheduled for Monday.  Blasts were 23.8% at one point (I didn’t ask for an update every day). 

It took a while to get used to the low-protein diet intended to protect his kidneys.  The nursing and dietary staff were unfamiliar with a low-protein diet as not many patients require it.  Everyone was fumbling for awhile to replace forbidden foods (salmon, turkey sausage, cheese) with something suitable – but what?!  The food server’s iPad kept rejecting Jeff’s choices until he learned to spread out his protein throughout the day. 

Jeff wants to share some of the highlights of his hospital stay:

A blood pressure machine marked "C Diff Only" was regularly wheeled into the room, striking fear into Jeff’s heart.  Finally, he asked them to explain why they were bringing the C Diff machine into his room – NO C Diff here, thank you very much!  Evidently, the machines were originally purchased exclusively for use by patients with C Diff (a specific funding purpose) but are now used universally and, the nurses assured us, had been thoroughly cleaned.

One of his favorite nurses from his 2011 hospital stay still works on Rhoads 7 and is still treating patients with tender loving care.  He told Nurse Alana, “You’re the best.” 

Donor Nicole sent an awesome pair of slippers that he proudly wore on his many hall walks.  Some of the nurses commented on his speed.  He heard one say, “He’s so cute!”  Indeed.

Carol, a new friend on Rhoads 7, joined Jeff for some of his hall walks. 

One morning he’d had trouble finding his favorite news channel and, instead, settled on a children’s’ show he likes to watch with our granddaughters, called Secret Museum.  While he was learning about Cleopatra he heard a disturbing discussion, “He has COVID.”  Somehow he thought his roommate had COVID!!   In fact, they were referring to our president. 

I asked Jeff whether his string beans lived up to the hospital’s slogan “Fresh is Best”.  He used a bean to scoop up some mashed potatoes and showed me the resulting String Bean Man with White Wig.  Well, it seems the bean was crisp enough to stand up to that test.

On Day 7, ready to leave for home, Jeff announced he would miss the hospital’s “exfoliating towels”.

Nurse Dawn from Penn Home Infusion came to tend to the PICC line today.  She remembered Jeff from her 2011 visits to our house!  She set up a centrifuge to prepare Jeff’s blood draws for transport to the lab.  The machine is now a fixture in our living room.  Within an hour a driver picked up the blood to take it to Penn’s lab in the city.  Incredible. 

Jeff feels well though a little itchy from the transfusions, gets winded a bit but took no nap today (a noteworthy achievement)!

We are ready to Light the Night with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society tomorrow night (virtually, of course)!  Go Michael and Team M&M Sluggers!