Jason Cotton's Blog

The good news first everyone likes good news, I know that I do. Jason’s toxicity levels have dropped and are continuing to drop, with these dropping his system is not under as much stress and his BP has come up. So he is on the slow road to recovery, he is not out of the woods, remember we have the second portion of the chemotherapy to deal with. The effects of the chemotherapy, the death of all fast growing cells.

The bad news, Jason did code last night for a 4th time this treatment, though in comparison in Jason’s words it was nothing but a speed bump. He coded for 3 minutes so in comparison no where near as bad as the morning.

Also I want to make it clear that all of the tests thus far are inconclusive as to whether or not Jason suffered any brain damage or the extent of it. We won’t know full details until he wakes up. This is the waiting the human brain is one of the least understood parts of the human body.

Right now he is stable and improving.

-Bea

I am being asked to write an update because the girls are wiped right now.

Around 10:30 this morning Jason coded for a third time. They have him back up and he is on full life support now and being closely monitored. He was down for 49 minutes.  Neurology is currently running tests for brain damage.  He is also on dialisys to bring his toxicity levels down.

This is all the information I have at this time. I will post more (or the ladies will) as information becomes available.

-Jeremy

Happy Birthday Jason! I know you didn’t get all the birthday presents that you “really” wanted and this is not the best way to spend it, but you have the BEST and most important gift! YOU ARE ALIVE! I know the fight is not over and there are a lot of speed bumps (as you call them) along the way but you have fight, and love, and the will to survive so I know I will be talking to you soon! You are doing what you do best and that is proving the doctors wrong! I am proud to be your sister, I am proud that you are my kids Uncle and I am proud to be a part of your life. Keep living each day with strength and character. I love you!

Happy Birthday!
Donnett

Jason went into Respiratory distress this morning and was put on a ventilator since he can’t breath on his own for the time being.  Last night due to the long periods of emesis the drip rate of his treatment was decreased so that the anti nauseate medications could take effect.

Jason did have a minor seizure this morning that consisted of uncontrolled arm movements and erratic spikes on his EEG.

His blood pressure and heart rate have both been dropping as more time goes by. This is a direct effect of the chemotherapy being pushed into his system.

You have heard us mention his toxicity levels but most don’t understand what we are talking about. We look at how many parts per million of the medication are in his system, checked through blood, urine, and sweat. As a nurse when around a patient who has had chemotherapy like Jason’s we wear special thicker gloves than the standard rubber gloves you’d see in the emergency room. Prolonged direct contact with a patient can and will result in infertility. All bodily fluids will carry this chemotherapy and at the levels directly after a treatment it is dangerous for care givers to come into direct unprotected contact with the patient. For patients they are washed multiple times a day and there linens are changed multiple times to prevent burns and skin irritations.

Right now his blood and fluids are damaging their host. Jason.

Only 3 organs process this out of his system. Liver and Kidneys and his have been damaged from prolonged abuse and exposure, like a drunk or a drug addicts.

He has 3 more hours of these medications to be pushed into his system then his battered and bruised body has to try and process it out.

-Bea

Jason is just now crossing the halfway mark. He spent the afternoon and evening with extremely high blood pressure, heart rate and elevated temperature. There is a fear that the added stress will cause a seizure and that is being closely monitored. The Drip rate of his IV has been slowed so they could get his vomiting under control.

The toxicity levels will be hitting their peaks in the morning putting yet another stress on his system, effecting his liver, kidneys, heart and lungs.For now he’s as comfortable as they can make him

.-Deb