Compared to last weekend, this one has been downright boring. And thank goodness for that!
We still had Halloween, Little Athletics, baking cakes (an Armenian nutmeg cake - delicious), a trip out to a farm, futsal (Harry did) and friends to visit, but no hospital. Even without the chemo, Ali would probably have fair enough reason to be feeling tired by the time Sunday night comes on around.
She seems to be starting to get on top of things. By now we would usually expect to be rolling into the period between treatments where she should start to pick up and begin feeling normal again. Not quite happening yet but hopefully in the next few days she'll be back to being herself.
It's a school day tomorrow so at least there should be a couple of hours during the day when she'll get some peace (assuming nothing else is planned).
In case anyone has tried to phone, our line is up the creek at the moment and has been since Friday. Optus says that it is looking into it and all should be fixed by Tuesday night. Until then, mobile or email is the best way to catch us if you need to.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Home from hospital
Ali is home!
The oncologist saw her earlier in the day and took some blood tests. The plan was that if her neutrophil levels were at 1.00 or higher, then she would be able to come home. In the end, the results cam back at 1.03; just good enough to get her out of hospital.
She's still pretty quiet but feeling much better than she was on the weekend.
I'm expecting a few quiet days ahead but it is good to have her home.
Thanks for all you good wishes and kind thoughts over the weekend.
The oncologist saw her earlier in the day and took some blood tests. The plan was that if her neutrophil levels were at 1.00 or higher, then she would be able to come home. In the end, the results cam back at 1.03; just good enough to get her out of hospital.
She's still pretty quiet but feeling much better than she was on the weekend.
I'm expecting a few quiet days ahead but it is good to have her home.
Thanks for all you good wishes and kind thoughts over the weekend.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Hospital updates - Sunday 26/10
11:00 am - Ali is still in the emergency ward as they try to find a bed for her. The plan at this stage is to find somewhere that she can be in a room by herself to minimise the risk of infection and to get her under the watch of an oncologist. She's asking for her 1/4 strength A2 skinny latte and a newspaper so she's not feeling too bad.
3:00 pm - We now have a room and the coffee was delivered. Ali moved in just after 12:00pm. It hasn't all been smooth sailing though.
When I went to visit, they couldn't find her on the computers. Half a dozen phone calls later and there was still no Alison Pike resident in the wards. This is after I had been speaking with her and she was just about to jump into the shower, so I knew she was there!
The receptionist got someone to cover for her and made her way to the ward to give them a hard time while I bought the coffee and a sandwich for Alison. We finally managed to find Alison in room no. 1, leaving a very frustrated receptionist apologising for her colleagues.
So as far as it all goes, she is doing pretty well. Her temperature is back down to normal and she is eating. We still need to gown up, with mask & gloves when we visit and Ali is on a special neutropenic diet to minimise any chance of infection.
Maybe if she is still in there on Friday we can draw scary faces on our masks for Halloween.
3:00 pm - We now have a room and the coffee was delivered. Ali moved in just after 12:00pm. It hasn't all been smooth sailing though.
When I went to visit, they couldn't find her on the computers. Half a dozen phone calls later and there was still no Alison Pike resident in the wards. This is after I had been speaking with her and she was just about to jump into the shower, so I knew she was there!
The receptionist got someone to cover for her and made her way to the ward to give them a hard time while I bought the coffee and a sandwich for Alison. We finally managed to find Alison in room no. 1, leaving a very frustrated receptionist apologising for her colleagues.
So as far as it all goes, she is doing pretty well. Her temperature is back down to normal and she is eating. We still need to gown up, with mask & gloves when we visit and Ali is on a special neutropenic diet to minimise any chance of infection.
Maybe if she is still in there on Friday we can draw scary faces on our masks for Halloween.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
High temperature and a trip to the hospital
Hi all - unfortunately Ali is spending tonight in the hospital. Nothing too serious at this stage, she's had a high temperature and her immune system is down so they are keeping her in for observation and isolation.
Since yesterday, Ali's had a bit of a temperature, been feeling unwell and had the chills. This alone wasn't unexpected as 'flu-like' symptoms are common with one of her medications. Today though, when her temperature hit 39 degrees, we thought it was worth checking in with the community nurses.
The community nurse recommended we take Ali into emergency and let the doctors work out what to do next.
We went to Calvary emergency ward and moved through the first part of the system fairly quickly. Ali had her bloods taken and came back with low neutrophils, meaning her immune system was down.
At this stage, the doctors are recommending that she stays in for a few days. When the kids and I went back in to drop off some clothes, toothbrush etc. we had to put on masks and a gown so that we didn't bring in any infection. The kids thought it was odd and that we looked like a couple of ducks (the masks were yellow).
Right now, Ali is still processing through the emergency ward as they work out where to put her in the main hospital.
In summary, certainly not how we planned to spend the night, but then, there's no reason to panic either. As we find out more, I'll update the blog.
Since yesterday, Ali's had a bit of a temperature, been feeling unwell and had the chills. This alone wasn't unexpected as 'flu-like' symptoms are common with one of her medications. Today though, when her temperature hit 39 degrees, we thought it was worth checking in with the community nurses.
The community nurse recommended we take Ali into emergency and let the doctors work out what to do next.
We went to Calvary emergency ward and moved through the first part of the system fairly quickly. Ali had her bloods taken and came back with low neutrophils, meaning her immune system was down.
At this stage, the doctors are recommending that she stays in for a few days. When the kids and I went back in to drop off some clothes, toothbrush etc. we had to put on masks and a gown so that we didn't bring in any infection. The kids thought it was odd and that we looked like a couple of ducks (the masks were yellow).
Right now, Ali is still processing through the emergency ward as they work out where to put her in the main hospital.
In summary, certainly not how we planned to spend the night, but then, there's no reason to panic either. As we find out more, I'll update the blog.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Doc & Cap treatment no. 2: Day 0
Ali's blood was good, treatment went ahead today and all was as we expected. Ali had cold hands when she had to put on the ice gloves and came home and had an afternoon snooze.
She was well enough to eat some dinner but I'm not expecting her to stay up much past 8pm.
The kids have been a little tiring this afternoon, especially one little Miss whose behaviour was so poor, she missed out while her brother ate McDonalds for dinner.
Regardless, we'll carry on and see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for dropping by.
She was well enough to eat some dinner but I'm not expecting her to stay up much past 8pm.
The kids have been a little tiring this afternoon, especially one little Miss whose behaviour was so poor, she missed out while her brother ate McDonalds for dinner.
Regardless, we'll carry on and see what tomorrow brings. Thanks for dropping by.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Fish Pie Update
OK, I have to admit, the fish pie was not too bad. Not too good but not too bad. Once you get over Alison mixing up coriander when she was meant to buy flat leaf parsley!
In the end it was just a little bland for my liking but then it's better to take a cautious approach and not try to put too much into a dish.
The kids hated it, Annelise tried some but Harrison would rather chew on some ants (which for some strange reason, he has eaten 2 or 3 ants over the weekend - says they taste a little spicy for him).
We all survived this meal.
In the end it was just a little bland for my liking but then it's better to take a cautious approach and not try to put too much into a dish.
The kids hated it, Annelise tried some but Harrison would rather chew on some ants (which for some strange reason, he has eaten 2 or 3 ants over the weekend - says they taste a little spicy for him).
We all survived this meal.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Doc & Cap treatment no. 2: Day -4
Welcome back!
It's been a little while since the last post. Happily, not too much has happened since the last one.
Alison's feeling better now. She started feeling her 'normal' self around last Sunday/Monday.
Last Saturday night we had a night out at Tilley's to watch the Whitlams. It was a great night out; they reserved a booth for us with the best view in the house which meant that we didn't have to get there early and Ali didn't have to mingle with people that may pass on some nasty disease while her immune system was weakened.
Annelise has started Little Athletics and seems to enjoy it. Harry is just busy being himself.
We're starting to think less about the chemo just gone and more about the next one so I guess things are moving on.
Alison's planning on cooking a fish pie tonight, so please redirect your good wishes and healthy thoughts to the rest of the family for just a short while (24 hr Macca's nearby and ready as backup). I'll be sure to report back on how it goes.
It's been a little while since the last post. Happily, not too much has happened since the last one.
Alison's feeling better now. She started feeling her 'normal' self around last Sunday/Monday.
Last Saturday night we had a night out at Tilley's to watch the Whitlams. It was a great night out; they reserved a booth for us with the best view in the house which meant that we didn't have to get there early and Ali didn't have to mingle with people that may pass on some nasty disease while her immune system was weakened.
Annelise has started Little Athletics and seems to enjoy it. Harry is just busy being himself.
We're starting to think less about the chemo just gone and more about the next one so I guess things are moving on.
Alison's planning on cooking a fish pie tonight, so please redirect your good wishes and healthy thoughts to the rest of the family for just a short while (24 hr Macca's nearby and ready as backup). I'll be sure to report back on how it goes.
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