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From Mathew's Notes Spiking A fever

From Mathew’s Notes  *****

3-6-14
Talk to Dr about genitals swelling
Get test done on testicles - imaging is clear -edema is the problem.
Talked with Dr. Knight - she said the possibility of death was much higher than expected due to pressure on my organs, especially because of vena cava.
Dr. Gonzales is not optimistic.

Wheezing, probably due to fluid in lungs.
Chest x-ray to monitor fluid levels in lungs.

8:30 p.m. temp of 101.7. Highest in two weeks. 
Nurse says temp has been up and down.
Blood sample taken from pic line
Blood sample taken from arm
Bile sample taken
All taken to test for a bacterial infection 

Heavy doses of diuretics and laxatives give some relief from everything caught inside.



I took a moment before writing this post.  The last few posts have been a series of medical dramas, fever, fluid in the lungs, possibly organ failure and so on.
It may be a tough read if you read them in a row.
I considered breaking them up with a picture or two of Mathew or a list, anything to break the tension.
Then, I realized, this is what I want to get across. Every minute, every hour and day we were on edge, in fear, and on high alert.

This was before we understood what all of these symptoms meant or how close to death Mathew was, I can only imagine how Mathew’s medical team, which was forming, with pain and palliative, surgical oncology, and now Sarcoma were closely monitoring his condition.


***** Please keep in mind that Mathew can barely write at this point. Many of his notes are scribbled. He is in terrible pain and can hardly move.

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