Day 5

If you look closely, you can almost see Shane's room in the top right hand side! 

The temperatures have been a hot topic today. It went up another degree from when it first spiked yesterday, so they had to re-culture everything. There are no results back so far, so thats good. 

Doctors have increased his pain medication further, and Shane is sleeping regularly (when the nurses aren't disturbing him every hour!). 

Thank you so much to all those inspired to give blood after yesterday's blog! You really are lifesavers! 

Did you know that Redcross now supplies blood to Queensland Health for approximately $300 per bag. Previously it was free, but Redcross couldn't manage the costs on donations alone. The $300 is how much it costs to employ staff, run the vans, promote blood donations, sterilise, analyse and separate the blood into different parts. Shane has used many different types of blood products and I have endeavoured to keep a count of them. Since October last year Shane has used 15 bags of Platelets, 6 bags of RBCs and 4 bags of blood plasma. These are the ones I know about, there may have been more during this time. This is over $3000 worth of blood products. 

The overall costs of caring for Shane are astronomical. In ICU, it costs $10 000 per day to stay. Shane's first five months of chemo (just the chemo alone) cost in excess of $300 000. This transplant will cost after three months more than $200 000. I have no idea of the costs of things like blood tests, x-rays, blood cultures, linen, food, medications, cleaners, and the list goes on. There are many faults in our public health system, but the fact they are prepared to spend this much money to provide essential treatment for my husband is something I am so grateful for!  

Also, if his Donor was from overseas, the cost of collecting the cells would be $50 000. Just for one person to fly to the country, and pick up the cells, and fly them back! And the government will still pay for it! Amazing!  

So, this is where your hard working tax money goes to! 

xx