Loving Taylor

Well today has been very scary to say the least. Taylor woke up feeling not well again. She spiked 2 fevers during the night and was up most of the night coughing. So...when she was seen today, they determined it was time for another room/floor change. Her nose has also started to run so she could potentially put the other oncology patients at risk so she was moved back up to the 3rd floor as a precaution. She actually had a good couple of hours today...no fevers, sitting up watching TV an actually asked for food. She only at a few bites but at least it was something. She still continued to have belly pain and was medicated with morphine throughout the day. She also had to have her dressing changed which was no fun but being the trooper that she is, she powered through it.

Her weight was a little concerning today because she has actually been gaining weight over the past 2 days which is not possible because she is not eating and her IV nutrition is only being run at 50% of her caloric needs. She is retaining fluid or "third-spacing". This is most likely from her protein levels in her blood being low and not holding onto the fluid. The fluid is leaking out into her gut causing abdominal distention and that could be the reason for her pain.

Tonight she spiked a fever again and was given morphine. One concern is that Taylor is becoming septic from the 8 days of unresolved fevers. Her blood pressure then dropped critically low and she was having trouble getting a deep enough breath. She was given a "bolus" of fluid to help bring her pressures up. Her pressures are now stable but still on the low side. Her oxygen saturation levels are low but considered stable for the time being. She is retaining so much fluid that she is very puffy and even has edema in her legs and feet. Right now we are still on the 3rd floor but if pressures drop again will be moved to ICU. She will need blood pressure medications that are not given on this floor. She is holding her own right now but not out of the woods for the night.

As you can imagine, this has been extremely scary. I am staring at her monitors and trying not to jump every time they beep because her oxygen saturation drops or her pulse drops. It is going to be a very long night

I have asked for your prayers in the past but Taylor needs the more than ever. Please pray that we stay out of the ICU and that this nightmare will be over soon. I just don't know how much more she can take.....