Infections
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Sharonlee…we were told to consume at least six 8-ounce servings of liquid every day. This supposedly is the minimum amount most people need during chemotherapy treatment.
The National Cancer Institute recommends scheduling times for consuming drinks just as you set times for your meals, and plan to get your liquid intake when it won’t interfere with your appetite.Too often do we see for dehydration to be the cause for many problems and possibly it could be the culprit for your Mom’s issues. Certainly it won’t hurt to try.
All my best wishes,
MarionHi SharonLee…did you see our posts above about the temps. They just seem to go along with the territory and the best thing to do is go to ER if the temps are say over 100. That is what our ONC told us. It can be from the exchange, it can be an infection. Again, I would ask the Docs to do a blood culture as some infections only show up that way. To be treated for it properly I feel the culture needs to be done or it will keep coming back. I also recommend the RX Levequin. It knocks out anything that may be lurking.
Yesterday I took Mom to the emergency room with a temperature of 103. Spent all day there. I wish I didn’t have to go to the the emergency room because it’s totally insane, but I felt I had to do something. She had lots of tests, fluids, tylenol. They did not think it was infection. I am really nervous about the up and down of temperature. Sometimes its 98, sometimes 100.
Is this part of the illness? She recently had the stent changed so I dont think that is the problem. I really need some help with this. Thanks again to all who respond. You help me care for Mom.Dear Walking, so sorry to hear you were posting from the Hospital! AS IF, you are not contending with enough! Hurry up, hydrate and go home!!!
I agree to go to the ER or Cancer Center immediately if you have quick rise in temp above 102 along with vomiting, or chills. I almost waited too long in October and ended up 10 days in hospital with an enterobacter infection. For me, the infections seem to happen when they change the stent/drain. Any time you push stuff in or out of the body there’s a chance of either introducing a pathogen or stirring one up. Got another lesser infection two weeks ago but was only four days in hospital because I came in sooner.
Overall, I have had too many “close calls”. I’m in the hospital again because I got dehydrated and my kidneys failed. I thought I was just suffering from really bad constipation (which caused me to vomit a lot because nothing would go down). I was constipated but by waiting three days to come in I lost so much water that I was nearly critical when I got I here. Lots and lots of fluids and I’m on the mend but…
Really – trust your body. If something’s not right look into it ASAP. Better safe than sorry.
Sharon: I also agree with Lainy and Gavin – do not ever hesitate from taking your loved one to the Emergency. This disease is unpredictable and you always want to try to be one step ahead of the curve. It is better to have a physician rule out complications early rather then have regrets about it later. You did everything right.
All my best wishes,
MarionHi Sharon,
Sorry to hear about your mum, I hope that she is feeling better today. I so agree with what Lainy says here, never be afraid to get your mum to the ER and you certainly did the right thing here for your mum.
My best wishes to you and your mum,
Gavin
Sharon, with this CC NEVER be afraid to go to ER you absolutely did the right thing. Teddy used to get blood infections. His temp would run 102 – 103 and I would put 3 blankets on him and then me on top. Also a heating pad as the chills were so bad. To know the infection they always had to do a blood culture which took days but treated him right away with Levequin (sp) and it knocked it right out. I believe the blood infections and the stent infections go with the territory. Guess the powers that be don’t feel we have enough excitement! Do you know if they did a blood culture? IF it happens again just ask them to do that and then it will be in her records. Of course we never know when or if it will happen again, Teddy used to get about 3 a year.
Took Mom to the emergency room today because she had a 103 temp and then chills. She had a stent replaced on Friday, but I think she’s been getting some highs and lows with temperature lately. Did chest xray, ct scan and ultrasound today. We were there from around 9am to 8 pm. I do not like going to the emergency room, but I got nervous and didn’t know what else to do. They did not seem to think she had an infection. They did give her fluids and tylenol. They say it’s okay to give motrin at home for fever. Does anyone have any information regarding the flucuation in temperature. Is this part of the illness and will it happen again.
As always, thank you.Hi Lynn,
Thank you very much indeed for letting us know how your dad is getting on and it is great to hear that his cancer has not progressed. Yeah indeed!! And long may that continue. And I am glad to hear that the docs managed to get the 2 stents inserted and fingers crossed that they work as they should.
My best wishes to you and your dad,
Gavin
Lynn….that is the great puzzle with this disease. It can just sit there with some people whereas with others it moves like wild fire.
I am glad to hear that your Dad is feeling good.
Best wishes,
MarionI just wanted to let you know that this is my dad’s third stent replacement and they still did not get a cancer diagnosis from biopsies or brushings at Mayo Clinic. However, the good news is that got 2 stents in this time, one in the right and one in the left trunk of the bile duct. He has been diagnosed since Ocotber 2nd and without any treatment other than stents, his cancer has not progressed. Yeah!!! I just want others out there to know this cancer can lay dormant or very grow very very slowly some times. Thanks everyone for being there to share our ups and downs with this cancer.
Lynn
Lynn
Well done on following your instincts and coming up with a great solution to your Dad’s recurring infection. I’m delighted to hear he is feeling so much better.Gerry
Lynn….Your instincts are serving you well. Stent replacements do wonders, don’t they? It is great to hear that your Dad is feeling better. I wish for it to continue.
Best wishes,
MarionThank you everyone for your thoughtful input. Since I sent the first email much has happened. Within 7 hours of dad getting out of our local hospital he again was running a fever, nausea, chills etc. We took him to our local ER and insisted they take him to Rochester. Dad was taken by ambulance to St Marys and yesterday he had his stent replaced. He came home today. I have discussed how to make this happen faster for dad and we have a plan. My first contact will be his doctor at Mayo and he will direct the doctors locally to stablize him and send him to Mayo. This will save additional time as they eliminate every source of infection before they agree that it is his stent and send him to Mayo. It has been a long two weeks but the improvement in dad since the stent replacement has been dramatic. Thank you so much for your advice. I am learning to trust my instincts!!! Lynn
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