DAY 125

Dear everyone,

We didn’t arrive at the dreaded Urgences until about midday, mostly as a result of Steven’s delaying tactics. I honestly can’t blame him as who wants to rush into an experience already known to be unpleasant and which will undoubtedly involve extensive waiting despite the critical nature of the temperature. We soon discovered upon arrival that it was a very, very busy morning, with wall to wall bodies everywhere. The receptionist hadn’t a clue who Steven was and suggested we wait in the ‘choc a bloc’ waiting room. Needless to say, that was never going to happen! Eventually, after some discussion, we were assigned to a gurney in an alcove off the main corridor. Matthew then dispatched himself to the haematology clinic to say we had finally arrived and to find out what the plan would be.

In the meantime, Steven had been taken in for a preliminary check up. Very shortly afterwards, Dr. Robin arrived, quickly followed by Dr. de Latour. She explained that they might be able to offer a bed in Trèfle 3, providing they could safely turf out an existing patient. She felt this was likely but it would take until the evening. Finally, by about 7pm, Steven eventually made it into Trèfle. It was a long wait but hopefully worth it.

It’s a little strange to be back in the transplant unit again. It’s a return to being masked, gowned, bonneted and booteed as one cannot even enter this section without all the protective gear. There is such a different atmosphere here to the rest of the hospital. Everyone goes out of their way to be extra, extra nice and helpful. Steven feels he is in very familiar and safe hands.

At the moment, Steven is looking and feeling fine. The temperature seems to have disappeared for the time being and this continues to flummox everyone. They can hear nothing unusual in his lungs, but will do another scan this evening or tomorrow anyway. Mouth swabs and blood have been taken to be analysed and cultured in the lab. Dr. de Latour has said it might be a virus, or several viruses. Broad spectrum antibiotics are being administered just to be safe and they are actively readjusting and rethinking all of his medications. Socié arrived this afternoon to say they would like to understand the source of the problem – again he mentioned a virus. He thinks that Steven should be in hospital for only a few days. They are all thinking that he may have just caught the cold Matthew and I had. The lab results should be able to confirm the presence of a virus by this evening or tomorrow. We’ll see.

Blood wise, Steven needed two transfusions last night of platelets and haemoglobin. His white cells have rebounded yet again towards the 6,000 mark. He really needs to get beyond these low lying infections resulting in low grade fevers to allow his marrow to get more actively involved in creating a healthy blood supply. Onwards and upwards!

That’s about it for today from the Steven chronicles.

Love to all,

Evelyn, Matthew and Steven