Campath Takes Its Toll

Campath proves to be a hard drug for Simon to take. We finally got things going around 4pm yesterday and about 1/2 hour into the campath infusion Simon started vomitting. He was very irritable through the whole 2+ hour infusion and ended up spiking a fever around 9pm. He developed hives as well. He was put on different antibiotics for the hives and the fever. Since it is a weekend the doctor comes to see him once and is gone. Things apparently come up with this campath and it can be very scary. Dave and are felt fortunate to both be there together as Simon was not his self and very very aggitated. He finally went to sleep around 9:45 pm. He was exhausted. He is back to hating having his blood pressure taken when they do every 15 minutes through these infusions and beyond and he was not happy. Its proving to be harder this time already because Simon is older and he will let you know when he is unhappy. He is also hooked up to several lines for various fluids and medicines and he is rolling all over in frustration and its hard to keep him untangled. Today is day two of campath. Since Simon is not eating and is vomitting I worry for his weight which we just got up and he was just starting to really enjoy food. Its a little more than we expected. With the chemo (campath is an antigen that targets specific cells and can be pretty taxing on your body) the side affects are delayed. With campath its immediate. His poor skin is still trying to heal from the vancomicin he received last week and now we have hives to deal with. We can't catch a break. We are very thankful that the girls are with my sister for the weekend. It allows us to focus on Simon and to be there just for each other. Yesterday I had my doubts about our decision and his nurse, Devon, who has been with us since the beginning, said "mom we need to focus on the big picture and that is getting him the immune system he needs. Two more doses of this, you can do it." All Simons nurses love and take good care of him and that helps us also. Well I have to run. Simon needs more shirts and Dave needs me to be by his side. This is not any easier this time around. PLEASE pray for him this weekend. Ask God to have mercy and let Simon get through this a little easier than he did the last round. God Bless you all. Love Tracy and Dave