We are still in the hospital and they still don't know what is causing Nathan's fever. He actually had quite a high fever last night (40C / 104F) and it didn't respond as well to the Tylenol. Shelley actually turned down a thermostat (that's amazing in itself) and had to do the cold cloth to the forehead thing for quite awhile. Later they gave him Ibuprofen and that seemed to take it down OK.
We met with Dr Bates today (who is Dr Ali's resident) and she informed us that his blood cultures aren't growing any bad stuff yet i.e. it isn't showing any sign of infection. So if on Sunday there still is nothing growing, AND Nathan hasn't had another fever we will be free to go home later in the day. However, if he has a fever again then they will keep us in a little longer still looking. It can take up to five days for the cultures to show anything but usually they start to show in the first 48 hours. His other blood work has been great, his numbers are all either in a good zone or moving the right way and his urine analysis was clear as well. He is a bit of a mystery as when he doesn't have a fever he looks great: his energy is good; his spirits are bright; and he is fairly agreeable. However, when that fever comes he turns into a little Jekyl patient. He complains that his head hurts and he gets downright grouchy and uncooperative - can't blame him but the switch is fairly obvious and makes him hard to deal with.
Right now we are at a "no news is good news" kind of point and the fever may just be a result of this particular chemo med combination in him but they do need to rule everything else out first. Fevers are worrisome as they are usually the first sign of some other kind of trouble. Nothing to do now but pray and wait.....
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