Day 41 at Cancer Treatment Centers of America

Friday, June 27th 2014

Mom woke up at 3:00 this morning with a massive nose bleed.  We arrived at Cancer Treatment Centers of America early for mom's 11:50 am radiation treatment appointment to inform Dr. Gullett about the nose bleed.  Mom's mouth is in bad shape too!  Her mouth is swollen and covered in blisters and scabs.  Dr. Gullett canceled radiation for today and Monday to give mom a much needed break.  We have to meet with her team Tuesday morning at 10:00 am before radiation for mom's weekly check up.

We had over an hour wait for mom's blood transfusion appointment in Quality of Life Infusion so we decided to head out for a little while.  Once we arrived back for her appointment, her temperature was 99.3, BP 122/60.  After mom took the Tylenol her temperature went up to 101.3, and then 102.8.  The nurse held the blood transfusion due to the fever again and gave mom another dose of Tylenol.  If mom has a fever of 100.5, or higher the transfusion cannot be performed due to the risk of infection.  The nurse spoke to mom's doctor and they ordered a chest x-ray and blood cultures.  At 5:00 pm, mom's temperature came down and they started the first of two units of blood.  

Once mom was all set up in infusion, dad and I headed home and Toni came for the second half.  The second unit of blood finished around 8:30 pm and the nurse came in and said that mom's Chest X-Ray came back normal and since her temperature hadn't spiked she could go home.  Toni got her home and into bed.

The Charm of the Day is Ruby Red