From 12/20 to 12/24, David’s WBC continued to rise with one day seeing it decrease only slightly. His feet and legs continued to swell and Lasix and Aldactone were added to the broad spectrum antibiotics he was receiving. Dsvid continured to eat although he had no appetite and we walked around the halls as much as he could stand. We discussed needing a paracentesis to drain the ascites (fluid) in his abdomen as well as testing the fluid to see if this was causing the infection. Because of our good experience with Dr. K, David wanted an IR doctor to do the procedure and there is not an IR doctor in Thomaston. We could get an appointment with Dr. K to have this done but the issue being David was inpatient at a different facility and not a candidate for discharge due to the high WBC. Because we also lack in resources for consults, we talked to Dr. W about a transfer. This had absolutely nothing to do with his ability or what he was doing. We just needed more specialization with these cancer effects than we could get at home. There were so many questions about why his WBC kept going so high despite all the antibiotics and why he was retaining fluid in his legs and feet despite the diuretics, and by Sunday, his eyes had started to turn yellow. The bilirubin in his blood was high so urine was also a very rusty color. There is really no doubt the liver is playing a big part in this nightmare. The kidneys though were holding strong. Dr. W worked really hard to find someplace to accept him. We are forever grateful for his determination to get him more help. We are so fortunate to have him in our community and on our side. On Christmas Eve, we got the transfer to Emory St. Joseph. I must admit having all his scans, doctors, procedures and everything in the Piedmont System and then them not accepting him as a patient at this critical time continues to be a sore spot for me. Almost a personal affront which I know is only business. Whatever business practice that is when your doctors are all in the system and they turn you down, but I decided to see this as the place we were supposed to be. Two non-cradle Catholics who lost their way a while ago now put on a path to this hospital on Christmas Eve night. A catholic hospital merged with a giant among medical facilities in the south.
The transfer in the ambulance was rough according to David, and I got there shortly after they got him in the room around 10:30pm. He looked pretty bad. Just exhausted and so tired. He was sweating and so weak trying so hard to sign a form when I walked in. He said he had to pee the whole way and apparently you don’t get that option in an ambulance. We didn’t get any sleep the first night as everything was about getting set up, assesments, doctor orders coming in, vitals, and lab work, and registration people coming by at 2, 3, 4 in the morning.
