Time for an echo

Alan had a good night with vitals at midnight, then poop. He asked for the iPad then fell asleep at 1 am, letting Miss Becky get back to bed. After she left, the doctors came on rounds. The culture on the 11th  was positive - because of this ID has signed off his case with the recommendation that his port be replaced. There are a few days left in the minocycline lock treatment, but there should have been more of a response if it was going to work. The attending ordered an echocardiogram to cover all bases to seen how all the valves are working and will consult with Doc H2. Since his counts are good right now, the sooner we do the replacement the sooner he will be back in a condition for the next cycle of chemo. The silver lining is that we can put a double lumen port back in instead of the single lumen port he has had for the last three years.

We went for a really long walk today, taking some time to throw coins in the fountain. We came back in time for the echocardiogram. Alan objected at first but once the tech started the exam he was having a grand time watching all the different views. He objected when she moved past a screen he liked but we told him to hold on, that at the end she would show him his favourite view again.

Alan vomited a couple of times today. This has been the  first 24 hours of 10 ml/hr feed so we paused for half an hour to give his tummy a break. It will take time for him to get used to the increased volume. But three poops today means he is digesting so we are hopeful. On the down side, we have noticed that Alan is losing his hair again, scattered on his pillow.

Tonight, Miss Denise and Mr Russ came out to visit and stay with Alan. Between them and Miss Becky we are so lucky to have such friends to take the time to come visit and help.


Sleeping sweetly for Miss Becky


Checking out the picture of his heart


Alan directing which view he wants to see