Journal of Madeleine Philippe

Madeleine
  • By Madeleine · October 21, 2010 at 10:00 pm · 41 replies
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This week 23-29 Oct 2010 has been a real trial. The optometrist wrongly diagnosed a fatty build up on my left eyeball as a cyst or growth which if not removed could lead to blindness in that eye. Later, the eye specialist confirmed that this fatty build up is not serious and can be removed when convenient to do so.
Attended Cabrini hospital three times this week. Tuesday to drain fluid build up in my tummy (2 litres removed). Wednesday to see the eye surgeon who confirmed that the fatty tissue build up on one eye is not serious. Thursday attended the weekly chemo session with Gemzar to be told that my white blood cell count is down and chemo could not be administered.
Hopefully, next week is going to be much better. The tummy aches and pains have gone away for the time being. Am looking forward to a quiet weekend. Not going out because of the low white blood cell count. On Sunday, the grandaughter could be dropping in to see us for her 22nd birthday.
Also, this morning I told Clancy (my husband) to look after his health too & that he should lose weight.

Edited October 22, 2010 at 6:58 pm

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41 replies   

Faerae

Sounds as though you did have a tough week. I am glad your eye problem was not as bad as first diagnosed. And I pray your white count will be up and you can continue with chemo. Blessings to you for a better week ahead.

Madeleine

I have been admitted in hospital with intermittent high temperature and varying blood pressure. There is also some fluid build up in my abdominal cavity.
The treating oncologist has administered some antibiotics to control what seems to be a minor infection + some blood transfusion to build up my immune system. White blood cell count is up again. If temperature & blood pressure are back to normal by tomorrow, chemotherapy with Gemzar and / or Carboplatin will resume.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy Philippe.
Today has been not so bad. Madeleine had 2 litres of fluid build up drained from her abdomen. She had her chest & abdomen X rayed. Fever is still playing up, but she is much better. The blood transfusion did the trick and colour has returned to her hands and face. Looking much better tonight.

katrhi

Madeline, I know you are glad to get that fluid removed. I hope you start feeling much better again soon.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy Philippe
Fever is now under control. Xray & CT Scan revealed that lungs & bowels are OK. However, the fluid build up is a worry and needs to be controlled. Madeleine is looking much better today. Still under antibiotics and pain killers to control any infection & pain due to the secondary breast cancer in the abdominal cavity. Doctor wants to get her OK before resuming with the chemotherapy.
Overall, looking much better than when she was admitted last Wednesday. She is well looked after by the doctors & nurses at Cabrini.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy.
This morning it was panic station at the hospital. Temperature of Madeleine soared up to 39.9 C at 5.00 am. Fortunately, the nurses took control in conjunction with the doctor and temperature subsided back to normal. Since then, the temperature and blood pressure have been normal.
The cause of the temperature flare up has yet to be identified. The doctor has changed the antibiotics and since then, Madeleine has been really good. Looking much better than I have seen her over the last 5 days. She had some more visits today from family & feeling quite good. Her fluid intake and output is being monitored. Hopefully, she will have a good night sleep without any temperature flare up. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy Philippe.
Yesterday was a very good day. No temperature flare up and the doctor is very happy with Madeleine's progress.
She will remain under observation and if her good condition prevail, she will have chemo (Gemzar) on Thursday and then be released from hospital. Overall good news indeed !!

Madeleine

Update by Clancy Philippe.
Madeleine is generally Ok today with stable temperature and blood pressure. She is still on antibiotics that seem to be controlling any infection that could have been present. Doctor advised that she should be out of hospital in the next few days & most likely to resume chemotherapy (Gemzar) next week.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy Philippe.
Setback this am and pm. Temperature went up again to 38 C. Doctor has prescribed some supplementary antibiotics and unless the situation improves, she is unlikely to be discharged from hospital. Meanwhile she has missed three chemo sessions. In some ways, this could assist in her immune system recuperating a bit, before the next course of treatment with Gemzar / Carboplatin. Keeping our fingers crossed meanwhile. The roller coaster ride continues. Madeleine is displaying her usual tenacity & good spirit despite the setback. Incredible force of character.

mamasega

You are both going through tough times.
Do take care of yourself Clancy. Give my best regards to Maddy. Orietta.

PeterP
  • By PeterP
  • Reply 354348 · In reply to 354115 by Madeleine
  • November 3, 2010 at 4:28 pm
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Chin up during those tough times. Still praying for both of you, cuz. Peter & Eileen.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy.
Madeleine was taken off the antibiotics yesterday as there was no improvement in the control of the intermittent fever. More blood and urine tests are being undertaken to try and identify the cause of the intermittent fever. Meanwhile the chemotherapy has been postponed again leading to fluid build up in the abdominal area. This fluid will be drained off on Monday to offer relief from a swollen abdomen. Otherwise Madeleine is OK and in good spirit. It may be a week or two before chemotherapy can be restarted again. Consideration of another chemo drug other than Gemzar is under consideration.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy Philippe.
Yesterday, Madeleine had 3.8 litres of fluid build up drained from her abdomen. More tests are being undertaken by the doctors as the intermittent fever is still there. She may be put back on antibiotics again pending the results of further tests, including tests on potential infections within the fluid drained from her tummy.
Despite all this, she is keeping her fighting spirit & was even making jokes with the doctor and nurse who were draining the fluid build up from her tummy. Extraordinary tenacity, courage and faith in her ability to carry on.
As for me, this is extremely tough going. Spent the day with her yesterday. Am back at work today and was touched by the incredible support from my work colleagues. Interim arrangements have been put in place to ease off work pressure on me. Over the next three days, I will also be working away from work (from Madeleine's hospital bedroom) finishing off one project that has been awaiting finalisation for a little while. Am so grateful that I am being allowed to work offsite this way. This will enable me to be at Madeleine's side over the next three days while still accomplishing work projects.
Otherwise, it's a "wait and see" period. Chemotherapy can only be restarted after the cause of the fever is established and Madeleine is in position whereby she can bear the impact of the chemo treatment without undue risks.
Madeleine also had numerous visits from her loved ones and friends lending support in her fight to conquer cancer once more.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy.
Today the doctor called us in to advise that all the tests have failed to confirm the presence of any infection that could give rise to the intermittent fever. Hence, Madeleine will now be put on cortisone treatment to control the fever that could arise from the tumour itself. Indications are that if Madeleine responds to the cortisone treatment, she will resume the chemotherapy treatments as from next week. Good news indeed.
The roller coaster rides continues.

JKent

thinking of you both, and wishing you well, very best wishes Jane and Paul Kent

Madeleine

Email from Derryn Hinch (3AW Media Personality) who is facing a battle with liver cancer. http://www.hinch.net/home.htm
Clancy.
Thanks for taking the time to write when so involved in your own crisis. Have been reading Madeleine’s blog. Please give her my best. I am starting to realise how much of your life is dominated by hospitals and medical appointments. I had heart stress tests yesterday and go back in for a bone scan Friday. All part of the preliminary tests to see if I am even eligible to go on the transplant waiting list.
Regards.
Derryn Hinch

Madeleine

Update by Clancy.
Situation has turned around in big way. As previously indicated, tests have shown that there is no infection that they can detect. It is concluded that the intermittent fever is due to the tumour itself. Madeleine is now being treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone to control the inflammation and eliminate the potential cause of fever.
She has now not had any fever for two days and the oncologist has advised that if the fever does not show up again, Madeleine will be allowed to return home and resume chemotherapy as from next week.

Madeleine

Update by Clancy.
Madeleine was discharged from Cabrini Hospital this morning. The intermittent fever is now under control and she has also been booked for chemo (Gemzar & Carboplatin) next week.
The doctors and nurses at Cabrini were just just wonderful, taking good care of Madeleine & getting her back into shape.
The intermittent fever was due to inflammation caused by the tumour itself. Cortisone and another anti inflammatory medication did the trick to control the inflammation / fever.
Now, we are back in the arena to get on with the fight to control and / or eliminate the secondary breast cancer in the abdominal area.
Madeleine is bouncing back again on her feet, ready to battle her way through. Won yet another battle.

ShirleyAnn

Go Madelaine! So happy to hear you have won that battle. Oh, the roller coaster we ride!
Love from Shirley (In Ballarat).

Madeleine

Thank you ShirleyAnn.
It has been four days since I came home from hospital. I am slowly recovering from the two weeks' spell with fever and its associated problems. Thank God that I don't have fever anymore, the medication has taken care of that and I am sleeping better & am more regular now. However, the miscellaneous medication that I now take morning and night is quite a challenge to keep up with and to make sure that I do not miss any. So far so good, and I am looking forward to re-starting the chemotherapy on Thursday next. Today, I had blood samples taken in readiness for Thursday.

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