Being Challenged

Following the episode of diahorrea, waves of pains at the abdominal area started to set in. Into Saturday night, the pain intensified and coupled with gas, it soon became unbearable. With each wave, he would scrunch up his face in agony... it was painful to watch and yet not able to help in anyway.

The nurses were indispensable, doing everything they could to make him comfortable while the medication took effect. The medical officer (MO) came by a few times to prescribe more medication to ease the pain and diarrhoea. ECGs were taken to ensure the heart was alright, many blood cultures were done for identifying the guilty bacteria (blood culture results take a few days).

Finally came dawn. Soon an array of activities began... Traffic at his room was heavy with the nurses constantly monitoring the vital signs, the MO checking on him, a general surgeon to review in case the x-ray shows a need for surgery and his oncology doctors who came in and saw to the rest.

By late morning, high dependency monitoring was ordered, however, due to immunity levels, he was warded at the ICU where isolation was possible. At that time, blood pressure was low and fluctuating, heart rate (HR) ranged at 140-150, breathing labored and fever already settled in. He was pretty disturbed when blood had to be taken from the artery. It was appalling to hear the risks of puncture. I held my breath during the procedure and was perspiring by the end of it. To help ease the pain, local anaesthesia was given and it really worked!

At the ICU, the all-so-familiar feelings came rushing back for us... the fever, fast heart rate, breathlessness at Mt Alvernia's critical care unit. My heart sank when I saw the HR keeping at 140-150. (Humming lullaby certainly did not help...on a contrary I think the HR went up!)

The doctors explained that with low immunity, even the mildest bacteria could flare up and cause problems. In young patients with an illnesses, a possible reaction could be an increased heart rate, in some instances as high as 170. With no time to lose, even without the complete results, potent antibiotics were administered to counter most types of bacteria. An infectious disease senior consultant was roped in to ensure whatever and however stubborn bacteria would be eradicated.

With every one's prayers, doctors' dedication, ICU's care and the potency of the drugs given, his condition soon stabilized within 24 hrs. It was a relief to hear the next morning that he will return to the normal ward. By noon he was nicely tucked away at his usual isolation ward. (I too was happily tucked in my own chair in his quiet room...feeling relieved).

For now, it is just recuperation while the labs attempt to unveil the results. Although with the lack of appetite, he is trying his best to eat. The moods however still remains pretty low....