Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Jack Goes to Virtua and Then UPenn

2 weeks ago Jack began not feeling well and was admitted to Virtua because the test at his family physician showed he had very low blood platlets and he needed a transfusion. Once admitted they determined that the cancer he had 2 years ago had returned. This time very aggressively. His white blood cell count was up to 600 (a normal person's is around 4).

After discussion with the oncologist at University of Penn Hosptial they decided to start chemotherapy again at Virtua and this was done for three days (August 10th-12th). He was than released that Friday night.

Over the weekend he began feeling increasingly weak and light-headed and eventually returned to oncologist on Monday, and then gave him saline to combat his dehydration which was at the time considered a possible side effect of the chemo. That day the white blood cell count was still going up and it became apparent the chemo had not had the desired effect.

On Tuesday, he got more platelets and saw the oncologist again and which point he returned home but still has the same symptoms.

On Wednesday still not feeling well and returned the oncologist. At that point their recommend going to the University of Penn Hospital.

He spent a few hours in the emergency room and was eventually admitted and given a room in the Intensive Care Unit.