Saturday night, ER date night

Took my Jeff to ER last night.

He was experiencing excruciating breakthrough pain for most of the day yesterday. He hurt so bad that merely changing positions reduced him to tears. His leg weakness was more significant, he felt weak in general, he had another (very brief) dizzy episode, he wasn’t feeling well overall (he said he felt the worst he has felt in a long while), he was miserably cold and despite the multiple thick blankets layered on him he couldn’t get warm, and his throat hurt.

I took his temperature and it was only 96.8.

As he had so many other things going on, when his temp didn’t even register as normal, we put in a call to the on call oncologist.

While we waited for oncologist to call back, I took his temp again and it was up to 100.4.

The oncologist directed us to the ER for labs. We needed to have his white blood cell count checked to ensure there wasn’t an infection lurking.

By the time we got to the hospital, Jeff’s fever was up to 101.1. He had taken Tylenol prior to leaving, nonetheless his fever was trending up. His blood pressure and O2 stats checked ok, but his heart rate was a bit fast. They attributed that to his increased pain.

As per hospital protocol, they swabbed Jeff for COVID during triage, however we had to return to the waiting room until the ER’s on call doctor could order the labs that Jeff needed.

Screwy system we thought, but the oncologist that sent us to the ER didn’t (and couldn’t have as per policy) order the labs before we arrived.

about two hours later, we were still waiting for them to draw Jeff’s blood.

A nurse finally came out and called Jeff’s name. However, in lieu of taking him to a room, she took him over to one of the little cubicles they have set up in the waiting room to monitor vitals.

It was at that time they also disclosed Jeff had tested positive for COVID!

Jeff has COVID!!!

The nurse finished checking his vitals and they took Jeff away to the super secret secluded COVID waiting room. He was no longer allowed to have visitors and they promptly separated us.

Jeff texted from said waiting room and said there was one guy back there coughing/hacking his brains out and then they brought a woman in who was sobbing.

As I had obviously been directly exposed to COVID, after they took Jeff back, I also got checked into the ER so I could get tested for COVID too.

Meanwhile, they listened to Jeff’s chest and lungs, both sounded great! They also did a chest xray and that too looked great.

Originally Channing and I took Jeff to ER. Due to Omicron, Mayo has modified their visitor policy again. Only one visitor is allowed. I stayed with Jeff and sent Channing back home.

After I was swabbed, Channing came back to get me around 9:30 p.m. As we waited to hear Jeff’s lab results, my COVID test came back NEGATIVE!

At around 1:30 a.m. Jeff texted and they were sending him home!!! His labs looked fantastic! His medical woes were not cancer related and although he does have COVID, his case is mild enough he can comfortably quarantine at home.

Despite it being late, I was so happy to go get him and take him home.

Sunday Jeff’s oncologist called. Jeff was supposed to have labs Monday and chemo tomorrow (Tuesday).

Due to COVID they have pushed his chemo at least 2 weeks.

I feel like we’re still in limbo waiting to learn if this chemo is even working or not. (carboplatin/cabazitaxel)

It would have been his 4 infusion and we were advised that carboplatin can take up to 4-5 rounds and cabazitaxel even longer to show improvement.

I’m so worried about a setback due to the delay. Jeff can’t afford many more setbacks.

In regards to the COVID, Jeff started the 1st of 3 Remdesivir infusions.

For reference, we are both vaccinated, Pfizer x 2 + booster.

Does delaying chemo make it less effective?

~ Stephanie

#teamjeffgallagher

Stephanie,
Thanks so much for the update, as I had been thinking about you and Jeff. What a rough week for you all, but glad he was able to quarantine at home, and that you tested negative for covid. Makes me think about the John Denver song, "some days are diamonds, and some days are stones."

Hope to hear better news for Jeff in the weeks to come.
Michael

Stephanie,
You and Jeff keep going. The two of you just keep going. It's very inspiring for me. Especially when I find myself fussing over my "woes."

My best wishes for the two of you.

Thinking of you both and wishing Jeff a speedy recovery from COVID--and you, too, if you get it. With everything that you have going on, this was definitely not what you needed. Hang in there!

Thinking of both of you. Stephanie you are an incredible person. You both are an awesome pair. U are lucky to have each other. True love
No experience to offer u useful advice many others here are better than me. Know that I am thinking and praying for u for whatever it's worth

Stephanie, I know this is a great strain on both of you. We are all with you on this journey. My best for you and Jeff.
Jack

Keeping you both close in my thoughts, each day.

Thinking of you both, throughout the day.

No one here walks alone --- we walk alongside each other.

In fellowship,
CYCLONE - # Iowa State University