Getting ready for the next step

Yesterday's x-ray shows some stool but no great blockage. The last cultures taken from Alan's lines on 23rd were negative so hopefully the infection is cleared. Another set of cultures was taken today to be sure, but they will set the IV antibiotics to be 10 days from the last positive culture taken on the 19th (so we are definitely in-patient until the 29th).

Since we are getting negative results for the infections in the lines, Doc H2 came in to talk to us about starting next stage of his treatment. He wants to take advantage of this time and start to start the two-week continuous Ifosfamide. We are still rotating the Vancomycin betweeen the PICC and port lines so he needs to confirm the compatability of the Ifosfamide with the Vanocmycin and TPN and the issues of access. He is still considering some other back up plans, including the amino acid study and an oral chemotherapy (Pazopanib) which has been used in soft tissue sarcomas in adults.

Alan is still not eating or drinking much but we are still good on the TPN for a while. We confirmed with docs that we will not be taking out the nephrostomy tubes until we have some imaging of the tumor and can be sure that there will not be any blockage of the kidneys. Since we are changing nephrostomy dressings every other day now it was time to change them again. Alan was not happy with that but he got stickers and a popsicle and napped after.

The PT Miss Denise came back after he woke up from his nap. Alan sat at the edge of the bed supporting himself for a couple of minutes and then took 5-6 steps with her help!


A well-deserved nap!