With no infusions yesterday, Mark was feeling much better this morning. He was even teasing the nurses. Because he was still fairly sick last night, the doctors opted to wait on the 7 am dose until they saw him. When they came, they were pleased with his mental clarity, and his vitals were good, so the 3rd dose was given at 9:30 am.
Several days ago, I made an appointment for a Covid vaccine at 11:00 am at Walgreens, just 5 minutes from the hospital, thinking that should be a
safe time to leave. Now, with the later infusion, his chills and rigors
started just as I was ready to walk out the door. What timing! Fortunately, the nurse was here and got hot blankets on him right away. When I returned, he was pretty drugged, but the nurse told me that it was even worse than the last one. He shook uncontrollably, and it took 3 doses of Demerol and a dose of Dilaudid to calm him
down. He also needed oxygen.
The rigors have come and gone throughout the day. That has never happened before, and his fever spiked to 102.5. Fortunately, he has slept through most of it. When he does wake up, he tries to talk, but even that is an effort. After a sip of water, he sleeps again. So far, his blood pressure is staying up, but often that comes later. Last time it was 12 hours before it dropped into the ’70s.
The team indicated that this will be the last treatment
for this round. It is common for the immune system to respond more quickly and with more intensity with each successive infusion. The first week in the hospital, he had five infusions, the second time, four, and this time only three, but overall he has been sicker. That is exactly what they expected.
We could possibly go home tomorrow since there won't be another infusion, but he has to make a lot of progress for that to happen. I'm thankful that he can sleep and pray that he can get through the night without much difficulty. I wish I could do more to help him, but the nurses have been fantastic!
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