The turn around in her condition in the next 72 hours was very worrying indeed, and it happened very quickly on Friday. By that night Phoebe was in Intensive Care (ICU) with an excessively high temperature. On Saturday morning she seemed to have improved but as the day progressed she worsened again, ending up sedated and on a ventilator until Sunday evening. This allowed time for her Broviac line to be removed (a possible cause of the infection) and other procedures to be done.
So Saturday night and Sunday was a very worrying time. Thankfully on Sunday evening Phoebe began to improve and on Monday morning she was moved back to her room on the Oncology ward. Marcus was able to see her briefly last night - she still looks tired and weary, but was eating an apple. Phoebe is now in isolation which will last for two or three weeks. What happens with the rest of this chemo cycle is not yet clear to us.
Yesterday Rachel wrote:
Phoebe has moved from ICU back on to her normal ward today as all her vitals are fine. She is dealing with very dry puffy rashy skin and diarrhoea, and is extremely tired and emotional following the weekend's ordeal. She's had her stem cells back and is now in isolation. At some point towards the end of this cycle she'll need surgery to put in a new Broviac line as the central line and cannulas are only a temporary fix. Because of the sepsis, she had to miss Saturday's dose of chemo, so please pray this isn't detrimental in the overall treatment of the cancer.
Once again we covet your prayers for Phoebe, Rachel, Matt & Reuben.
Again we have been surprised at how tired we feel due to the emotional energy expended at such times as this. We both feel very tired when we stop, so are amazed at how Rachel and Matt continue to cope so well through all the stress and emotion of this dreadful situation. We are very thankful that Phoebe survived her terrible weekend and is stable again.
So it was good to be reminded this morning of these words from Isaiah 40:31: "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (NIV).
Please pray that we would continue to hope in the Lord.
Many thanks to all who pray, who write, who call and support us in various ways. And many thanks to the staff at Sheffield Children's Hospital. May God bless you all.
