Pneumonia

A quick blog update to let everyone know that Peter's condition worsened on Sunday and on Monday I was advised to take him to the chemotherapy unit for assessment. This quickly turned into a hospital admission at the Nat. Cap. Private Hospital. By Monday evening he was transferred from the ordinary ward to the "critical care" unit (Also known as "intensive care").

That night the Intensive Care Specialist advised things were touch and go and that anyone who Peter would want to see should come in as soon as possible and asked how we wanted Peter to be treated should he have system failure, given his underlying cancer. So that was a huge shock.

Massive antibiotics have been administered and continue to be. Food through an IV drip and a 3 way venous line has been put into his neck. He is on a "Bipapp" mask for assistance with breathing so his oxygen saturation levels increase from the around 77% to 95% and above. The plan is to see how the antibiotics work and see if he can tolerate being weaned off the assistance a few times a day.

The doctors are not saying anything except to ask what's happening and then provide orders until their next visit. The hospital care is excellent and the Intensivists are visiting at least 4 times a day, along with Peter's regular oncologist. He also has one nurse attending him at all times and extras as needed as well as a physio twice or three times a day. I am there mostly from about 9.30am to 7.00pm, although last night I got a call at 12.15am as Peter was panicking and very distressed so I went in from 1.00am to 4.30am and then came back to try to get more sleep - no luck there but hopefully he will be calmer today and I can slip away when the fatigue hits.

Will update when I can but I am sure you understand this is not easy and I can't possibly manage individual phone calls or emails right now.

You should know that Peter remains committed to getting better from this episode and is not giving up.

Leanne