Opportunistic Yeast Infection from Hell - Update on Robin as of 01/27/2008

It has been almost two weeks since Robin's infusions with Ixabepilone (chemo) and Zometa (to reduce or delay bone damage). At last writing (1/19/08), the antihistamines and steroids had worn off and the chemo sickness was in full swing. Robin was also ill from the flu-like symptoms of Zometa. I hoped that we were at the worst point and she would start recovering. I learned that was not the case.

Robin had not told me that a mild rash on her waist had become much more painful almost overnight. Saturday morning, I got her up to take a shower, because we had an appointment for her "cranial prosthesis" (a.k.a., wig). Robin had been wearing a piece of cloth around her waist to keep the rash dry, and when she removed it, she was bleeding profusely. The bathroom looked like an ax murder had been committed there. I got her into the shower and cleaned up the mess. When she got out of the shower, I sprayed on some Bactine-like spray, because she couldn't stand for me to touch it to apply ointment, and laid down some gauze and soft cloth as a bandage. It looked like a good solution to me.

The next morning (Sunday), I removed the bandages and this started the bleeding again because the gauze was stuck to the wound. I tried to talk Robin into going to the emergency room, but she refused. I couldn't figure out how to dress the wounds without touching them. I finally figured out what to do. We repeated the same procedure as before, but THIS time, I covered the cloth with antiseptic ointment. I blow-dried the wounds, and then placed the cloth on the wounds. By doing it this way, the ointment was applied without needing to rub it on, and now the cloth was greased so that it wouldn't stick.

Monday morning, the bandages came off easily and there was no bleeding. I told Robin that we needed to go to the doctor because the wounds, even though they seemed better, were beyond my vast medical skills. She called her Oncologist, Dr. McClure, and got an appointment with her nurse. The nurse thought it was bad enough to show the doctor, who exclaimed something like, "Oh My God!" when she saw the wounds. She said I was doing exactly the right things, but prescribed Silvadene cream instead of the antibiotic. She also wanted to arrange for Robin to go to a wound clinic. An appointment was made for Wednesday morning at the Advanced Wound Care Center at Bayshore Medical Center in Pasadena.

By Wednesday, the wounds were looking incredibly better. When we arrived at the wound center, we (actually, I, since Robin's vision is poor) had to fill out eight pages of medical forms; the most detailed medical history I've ever seen. We were then seen by a nurse who explained how the center operated, asked a few more detailed medical questions, had Robin sign about six or seven consent forms, and then prepared Robin for the doctor. Her doctor asked even more detailed medical questions. Robin said that the doctor now knew more about her medical background than her own mother did. He examined Robin and said that it appeared to be an "opportunistic yeast infection." He gave the nurse instructions which included taking pictures of the wounds. When he returned, the doctor had to debride the wounds, and he took samples for cultures. Another nurse came in to dress the wounds and instruct us how to do it at home, then she took five vials of blood for testing, and set up our next appointment for next Wednesday, January 30th. By the time we left the center, it was almost 1:00. We dropped off a prescription for yet another cream, and ate lunch. By the time we picked up the prescription, it was too late to go to work, so we went home. Robin was well enough to go to work on Thursday and Friday, and each day, the wounds have improved significantly.

By Sunday, the wounds appeared to be nearly healed, and Robin is feeling almost human again. HOWEVER, now her hair has decided it is time to go. Unfortunately, her wig has not arrived yet. She managed to get to church this morning with enough hair that no one seemed to notice, although I could tell. We are hoping the wig arrives tomorrow or Tuesday before the hair is gone. I don't expect Robin's hair to last much beyond that.

Well, that’s about it. In short, Robin seems to have gotten past the chemo sickness and "the opportunistic yeast infection from hell." She had to go to the wound center for help with the infection. Today, she started to lose her hair, but her wig has not yet arrived. Robin will see the wound doctor again this week, and she gets blood work in preparation for the next chemo. Her next chemo will be Tuesday, February 5th.

Please continue to keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers. And pray for speeding the UPS truck with Robin's "cranial prosthesis."

Our love to you all,

                  Larry and Robin (and John, of course)