Journal entry by Jackie Palm —
On Monday (Aug 22) Nate had same day surgery to have his port removed. This afternoon he is on his way home after a couple nights in the ER fighting an infection and Covid.
The rest of the story…
The port was put in and used for his chemo. So it was a big deal getting it out now that he is healthy. We were able to have it removed right in Marshall which was nice. I was with him and all went well. Got him home and he crashed to sleep off the anesthesia.
I had been at the farm over the weekend and my dad had a pretty wicked cold. He went in and was tested for Covid and it was negative. But to be extra careful I made sure and stayed masked the entire time I was with Nate.
Well… Tuesday morning I woke up with a scratchy throat and decided to work from home.
Wednesday morning Nate texted said he was tired and light headed since the surgery. I asked if he had any other symptoms and he said maybe a slight headache. Recommended drinking more water, eating some high iron foods and letting the house manager know. She called the hospital and they said that could be normal and to get him to drink more. A little after 5 on Wednesday he texted me to let me know he had a 103.7 fever . 🤒 They took him to the ER. He tested positive for Covid and had a high white blood cell count (infection). His surgery site looked fine. They started him on IV antibiotics and Tylenol. They reached out to the transplant center in the cities. The plan was to transport him up there as soon as there was a bed available. So he stayed in the ER instead of being admitted. A bed had not come available yet but fortunately, all his labs are looking good and they have decided to discharge him. He will finish up some antibiotics for the next few days at home then go see his Primary Doctor next week. Whew!!
Yesterday I tested positive for Covid as well, so much for a nasty cold. As Nate said to me, thank goodness we were vaccinated and boosted because if this was the mild version, full blown would have really been bad.
Thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff that were there for Nate when I couldn’t be.
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