Sunday, March 14, 2010

March 14, 2010

I know that I just published a new post yesterday, but since some of you have been waiting for news on his current condition, I'll update again.
Derek's white blood cell count has been at zero for the past two days, meaning he has no immunity against infection, illness, etc. This usually happens about 7-10 days after chemo. and it lasts for a few days. That's when we are especially careful. He had been feeling pretty miserable because of side effects, so he asked his dad to give him a blessing so that he would be able to sleep. When Dave performed the blessing, he felt Derek's head and discovered that he had a fever--103 temp.
So, we headed to the ER here in Cedar City. We waited for what seemed like hours before they finally performed the necessary tests. His fever was slowly rising as the infection was taking over, with no white blood cells to stop it. No one seemed to be in a hurry. Medical staff came in and out, doing their thing. When they finally got the results, they rushed through the door with the news, "He's neutropenic!" Dave, who was feeling quite frustrated with the delay, and had repeatedly told them that he had no immunity, replied, "You think?!?"
It is now Sunday night and Derek has been given antibiotics and a blood transfusion. He is looking more alive. (It was a somewhat scary night). Tomorrow he will receive platelets. His fever has gone down and he will hopefully be released in another day or so. I'm sure his regularly scheduled chemo treatment (this Wednesday) will be postponed until he is well and able to eat again.

Tuesday: I'll finish this update. Sunday night Dave and I left Derek alone in the hospital (Cedar) so we could get a good night's sleep. Dave went back in early Monday morning and found that Derek had had a nose bleed in the night, which they couldn't stop because of the low platelets in his body. After futile attempts to stop the bleeding, they called Dixie Medical Center and had someone drive up and deliver the platelets. This was about 2:00 AM.

He is at home now and feeling well, in comparison. It is so good to get him back!

5 comments:

  1. Jeanne,

    As I watched you in church yesterday I was amazed at you and your family. You are all a reminder of what faith and trusting in our Lord can do. You would think that you and your family would need strength from us your ward family, but I feel in my heart that you are all giving us strength and teaching us what faith and trusting in our Lord is really about.

    Thank you Payne family, for what you have given me.

    Love,
    Rae Munk

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  2. I'm so sorry that he's not doing well! Is he home and going in for the platelets or did they admit him here? I agree with Rae, you've been an incredible example to all of us, with your strong faith. Thank you.

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  3. I just wish we could do something. It is so hard to see your family go through this. We will continue to pray and pray. Keep smiling and if we can help let us know.

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  4. That is crazy. I'm glad Dave is around to get after the hospital staff. Sometimes you just have to do that to make sure that the people you love are taken care of.

    Glad he's home- hope things get better for him.

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  5. I'm glad that David had the courage to stand up to the people that should have been listening in the first place. He will get better and better at this as times goes by. Next time he will just tell them when he gets to the hospital to not mess with "Big Dave"!

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