Dad has bad infection

[CarolineO]

Hello this is my first time on the forum.

My dad was diagnosed with MDS RAEB2 with Monosomy 7 just before Easter. He completed one cycle of Azacitidine, fortunately with few side effects. His bloods were tested before he was due to start the 2nd round and as a result the 2nd cycle was postponed for a week and he had injections of GCSF to increase his white blood counts. At this time his platelets were 55.

Last Friday he was taken into hospital with a nosebleed that wouldn't stop and platelets at 22. Unfortunately they didn't start him on antibiotics straight away and he was sent to ear, nose and throat specialist rather than oncology/haematology. By the next day he had obvious signs of an infection (spiking temperature, headache, very drowsy) and he was later started on Gentamicin and Tazocin. These had no effect. He has then given an injection of GCSF which has raised his WBCs and platelets slightly. Two days ago he was started on Vancomycin. Last night it seemed it had brought his temperature down slightly to mid 38's, however this morning he is much the same and they are considering using an anti-fungal.

I wondered whether any body else has any knowledge of other treatments? I am scared as I have read that Vancomycin is considered a 'last resort' antibiotic.

[Cam]

I just finished a round of vancomycin. It really made my stomach do flips for the two weeks I was on it. I was on it for MRSA of the blood. And the Dr.s told me it was the antibiotic of last resort..

[billyb]

My wife just got out of the hospitol, she was there 5 days for an infection and they didnt know what was causeing it, I think they did every test they could think of, had her on different antibiotics none of them seemed to work, so they ended up putting her on Amoxicillin and it fixed it, she is also on anti fungal meds they seem to help....Billy

[CarolineO]

Thank you Cam and BillyB
They started giving my dad some anti-fungals and anti-virals and after 9 days he seems to have turned a corner. The last two days he has had a normal temperature and has been able to sit in a chair and make conversation, although he is still incredibly weak and is quite slow with things. I am not sure whether it is the drugs or the infection but he says his vision is also quite blurred.
We are hoping he will continue to make progress with his recovery. I think it will be another week at least until he can leave the hospital. I hope we can then meet with his haemotologist to discuss his dose before he starts second cycle of Azacitidine.