Fever

Sunday 15 April evening

We realize that fever is essentially a good response by the body against infections. (I seem to remember the five basic traits of an infection: tumor, rubor, dolor, calor and functi laesis. Correct me if I am wrong.)

So we are for fever! It's just that it can be so damned uncomfortable. Especially if it comes spiraling up - going from 37C to over 39C in under half an hour - only to be forced down again by paracetamol. But Lara is willing to bite the bullet and forego Dafalgan. Usually early in the night, around 1:30AM, the medication she received around 6:00PM the previous day will have worn off. She waited to take more and 'loose' it's benign effects while being asleep the rest of the night. She dealt with the fever the rest of the way, sleeping intermittently, until about 8:00 AM before taking more. That lasted her well into the afternoon, until around 4:00PM, which is when I arrived. Her temperature had just started to go up again and she was flushed and shivering, her eyes droopy. A sick fly, with a pink turban.

She is still hyperglycemic (219) and just received another insulin shot. As I sit here and write by the foot end of her bed, I see her head has fallen to her right and she is soundly asleep. So I will wake her up in a few minutes to let her enjoy the time she is without fever.

Her saturation (remember, oxygen uptake in the blood) was on the low side today (94) as opposed to yesterday, and so they continue the oxygen supply up her nostrils. It dries out her mucus membranes, so I arranged for a small humidifier.The oxygen and the fever make her go through bottles and bottles of water each day. Sometimes she mixes in some red berry juice (rich in anti-oxidants) as a bonus. Here appetite is at a low point. She wanted to have no part of her supper (pizza, mozzarella, broccoli plus a cauliflower-egg salad), so I tried it myself but likewise desisted. I will have to leave no later than right now, for otherwise I won't make it to the corner supermarket before closing time.

Will revert.