A bump in the road

Day 35-This week we had a problem with Brad's chest catheter.  Somehow it developed a crack in one of the tubes and was dripping blood!  It happened in the evening at home (Sam noticed it!) so we had to wait until the next day to get it looked at.

Brad happened to have his 3rd bone marrow biopsy scheduled for that day too so we spent a good part of the day at the hospital.  When we checked into CBCI for them to look at his line,  Brad started feeing nauseas and started to dry heave.  They said the chest catheter was going to need to be replaced because it had been exposed to the open air and probably was infected with bacteria.  At that point Brad had 3 CBCI nurses crowding around him, hooking up his IV (no more lines to use!) and getting him an antibiotic drip in place!  He had been fasting all day (for his biopsy) so it's always harder for the RN's to find a good vein when he's dehydrated!    It was a bit of a scare!  They drew blood to send to the lab to see if there is a bacterial infection in his blood.  This lab work needs to grow for 24 hours before they can get a result.

They will also check it in 3 days and 7 days.  The antibiotic they used was called vanconycin and one of the side effects is called "red man syndrome"  which Brad experienced as you can see in this photo.  His face was red and still is a bit today over 24 hours later.

 He handled everything so well and eventually felt better as the antibiotic took effect.  His bone marrow biopsy went well, but was a bit more painful this time than the last.  We are not sure why, but he experienced sharp pain shooting down his legs.  He never complains and is very quiet for his procedures.  A true warrior.  We should get back results from the biopsy soon and will have an idea of how much of Aaron's cells have settled in.
After the procedure our PA, Ryan, put lots of pressure on Brad's back to help with discomfort the next day.

We love our RN's...always looking out for Brad.

He crashed afterwards...effects of the sedation. 

Today, Brad was in the Radiology Department getting his chest catheter line replaced to prevent any infection.  They gave him shots around the line to numb him and they warned him that his heart would flutter and it did.  He felt it!   They did not sedate him and he said it was very uncomfortable and painful.  Basically, they take a wire and push it through the line (which goes into his superior cava vein).  Then they leave the wire in, pull out the old tube and replace it with a new one that runs along the wire.  They have to push and pull and guide the new line along which was what hurt!  He walked out of the procedure like always.  One tough warrior.
His new line.

Moving in the right direction!

More check ups at CBCI and with each one Brad is recovering beautifully!  We are at Day 22.  There is still fatigue and lots of yucky side effects from all the meds he is taking.  No sign of infection or Graft VS. Host Disease.  He will have another bone marrow biospy around Day 30. Keep the prayers coming!!! 

 A balloon bouquet from Brad's wonderful coworkers at Newtown Home Builders.

This is Leslie Younger, our first RN that managed Brad's health as he was participanting in the clinical trial.  We don't see much of her anymore unless we run into her in the halls of CBCI which we did this day!