So today started really well. Johnny woke up about 7am, and then woke me up about 5 minutes later. It was really nice to see him have a little energy. We spent the morning watching skate videos, and he even ate a little a little for breakfast. At about 10am Johnny had his first set of visitors. Jim T., his wife Lynn, and son Jack flew out from Oakland last night, and came to the hospital bringing swag. Lots of cool videos, books, and a couple of decks. Exactly the type of stuff to keep Johnny occupied during hospital stays. Johnny really lit up when he saw Jack, and it was really fun listening to Johnny and Jim talk skating. Johnny was still really weak, but that was the most animated I have seen him in over a week. The Thiebauds have become really close friends over the last few years, and it’s obvious Johnny really loves them.
Archive for May, 2008
Ups And Downs
Saturday, May 31st, 2008Jim and family had been here about half an hour when Johnny got two more visitors. Pro skaters Kenny Anderson and Chris Haslam are in town for the opening of the new skatepark in Houston and stopped by the Hospital to surprise Johnny. Kenny was part of the group of skaters that spent time with Johnny at his first MAW Texas Jam, and he has kept track of him ever since. He has got to be one of the coolest and most laid back people ever. Johnny had never met Chris before today, but they really seemed to hit it off. I know they were probably really busy, but they seemed comfortable just hanging out. It was super cool for those guys to take the time to visit Johnny. I think he had a really nice morning.
The ID doctors stopped by to explain the plan for continued treatment of Johnny’s bacterial infection. Although the really nasty bug in his blood seems to be responding well to treatment the doctors need to keep him on the antibiotics that target that infection for at least another 10 days. They also believe he has a secondary infection in the walls of his gal bladder and intestines. They started him on another antibiotic to treat that infection, and said the initial plan is for 14 days of doses by IV. That means Johnny will be in the hospital for at least another two weeks. That should take him through the end of the first block of treatment. The second block starts with a scheduled 5 day hospital stay, so it is very possible that Johnny will be here for the next three weeks straight. I could tell that when he heard this he wanted to react, but he didn’t. I don’t think he wanted anyone to see that he was upset.
At some point while everyone was still there it became obvious that Johnny hit a wall. Kenny and Chris needed to get back to the park, and Jim took the family to the zoo for a while to give Johnny some time to rest. Shortly after everyone cleared out Julie showed up with Kathleen, Joey, and Sophie. By that time it was clear that Johnny wasn’t just tired, but really not feeling well. He started turning red, and his temp started rising. My first thought was that the infection was returning, but the doctors think that he may be allergic to the new antibiotic. They treated him with Benedril, and he quickly lost the redness, but his temperature remained high (flirting with 103). It’s after 10pm as I write this and it has only now dropped below 101. It’s good that the reaction probably isn’t directly due to infection, but it sucks that he appears to be allergic to the first choice of treatment. Apparently nothing is going to be simple and easy this time around.
The Thiebauds returned in the afternoon, and since Johnny wasn’t feeling that well we all gave him some space and only spent short periods in the room. That seemed to work well, and it was really good to get to spend some time catching up. Kathleen took the kids back to the house around 6p, so that Julie and I could spend the evening together with Johnny. I think Johnny liked having both of us in the same place for a while, and I agree. Julie and I have literally been passing each other in the parking lot as we traded off staying with Johnny this last week.
Johnny seems to be feeling a little better, and is resting comfortably. Even though he didn’t get out of bed much, it was a pretty big day for him. He is worn out.
We’re Out (of the ICU)
Friday, May 30th, 2008Just as Johnny was about to get a sponge bath from a pretty ICU nurse the word came down that the room on 9 was ready. Looks like he will be showering himself tomorrow instead. He’s stoked. It’s midnight, and we are finally settling in to room 910. No more constant blood pressure cuff automatically inflating every 10 minutes. No more oxygen sensor taped to a finger or toe. A whole lot less hoses attached to his IVs. I never thought I would be glad to be here, but right now I’m very happy.
Johnny is feeling better too. While I was on my way to relieve Julie he called and asked me to stop at Wendy’s. He wanted two packages of chicken nuggets and a Dr. Pepper. After not eating for a whole week that was what he wanted, so that was what he got. He actually ate two nuggets, and took about two sips of the drink, so I got dinner too. It was still a big step for him.
Johnny got almost all of the second week of chemo today, and he did very well. Unbeleavable after the week he just had. It may be my imagination, but he is starting to get a little puffy around his jaw. Starting to look like a kid being treated for cancer again. I guess all the steroids may be starting to show.