So for the last 7 to 10 day's I start suffering from really high temperatures and continually having cold shivers. I've experienced these symptoms before not long after being told what my diagnosis is.
It's just this time it is much worse where I'm reaching temperatures of 38.9 Celsius regularly throughout the days.
This is now the worst I've felt since the ambulance ride to A&E. I start to become concerned because I'm spending too much time in bed when the shivers occur and 10 days in a row is not good considering I'm supposed to attend a new patient introduction the next day and starting Chemotherapy on the Friday.
I phone the Stoma nurses first too see what I should do as that was my only original contact for any problems.
I'm given the number eventually for Oncology dept at Solihull but they tell me to ring the number on my Red card. I explain I know nothing about a Red card and they give me another to call which turns out to be this Red card department. I find out you get given the Red card at your new patient introduction. The Red card is actually called Neutropenic Sepsis Alert Card.
First thing I'm asked to do is to take a lateral flow Covid test so I don't turn up tomorrow with Covid on an Oncology day unit. I take the test and it is negative, The Oncology unit call back after an hour for an update. I inform them the test came back negative so then ask me to go for a PCR test, After the most difficult booking process known online my Dad has to drive me the test centre as I am in no condition to drive with the current temperatures I'm suffering from. We drive to a deserted test centre and I'm in and out within 10 minutes. I'm told results should be back within 24hrs but they take 48hrs.
14/09/2021
It's the day of the new patient introduction at Solihull hospital Oncology day unit. This is where I will be spending every 3rd Friday for my treatment.
I get taken to a small meeting room where a nurse gives me my own pack and starts explaining things to me. I have a Covid swab and my weight is checked, I've managed to get up to 10 stone 5lbs but still look ill. After explaining about my high temperatures they decide to do some blood tests to see if they can find out why I keep getting high temperatures, They need to rule out any type of infection that could be dangerous for me.
In the pack is the Red card I mentioned earlier. This is the Neutropenic Sepsis Alert Card.
It has a phone number on that must be dialled instantly if I get any of the following symptoms:
Fever(temperature) 38 C or more.
Shivers or shakes(feeling hot or cold).
Excessive bruising or severe bleeding from anywhere.
Generally feeling dreadful for no obvious reason.
Severe vomiting and/or severe diarrhoea.
An ulcerated sore mouth whereby drinking becomes difficult.
Redness, discomfort, swelling or irritation around the cannula site or PICC/Hackman line.
This list makes me nervous about what I will be facing in the coming months especially seen that any treatment must proceed within 1 hour of being admitted to the ward.
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