I'm awaiting a call from a Hospice nurse and thought I'd do a little update. Please do not read these entries if you don't want to see some gory details. I think some of you want to know what's happening, some of you don't.
Dad had another rough night. He gets up every few hours. We don't know if it is the shoulder pain or the need to urinate or a combination but it was not a restful night. He would call for Jon when he needed something. He has had a lot of blood in his urine since Friday night, but it is decreasing. We stopped the Warfarin Sat. AM so he could have his eye(s) worked on tomorrow. Hopefully.
Hours later - the Hospice nurse has been here and we made a lot of progress. A hospital bed, table and bedside commode are arriving this afternoon. She looked at his pain meds and said they can easily be increased and with his shoulder pain, probably should be. And now I need to go again. The Hospice delivery truck is on its way. Wow they work fast. What a relief for us.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday Part 2
Oops how could I forget the highlight of the day - Molly brought over her homemade pumpkin bread which sustained us all day long. No wonder I'm feeling so full tonight - empanadas, key lime pie, pumpkin bread with cream cheese... Everyone has been so generous with their time and talents. Thank you.
Sunday - A Day of Rest
To write about today, I have to start with last night. As Dad was all ready for bed and sitting on the edge; he braced himself with his right arm and began to lie down. Yikes - something popped. He thinks he dislocated his shoulder. He was in terrible pain. Jon was staying with him and tried to make him comfortable. He came to get Dave, and between the two of them they were finally able to get Dad's arm immobilized and Dad lying down for the evening. At midnight. Or so they thought. Dad was up again at 3 AM and again later. When I went over at 7:30, both Dad and Jon were awake and we moved Dad this way and that way, trying to get him comfortable enough to sleep a couple more hours. I went home for my shower, and when I returned, they were both at the breakfast table, having given up on sleep. They were drinking coffee. It wasn't decaf.
Dad spent the rest of the day in the Big Blue Chair. Thank goodness for football (and a win by the Falcons). He ate his meals there and finally napped in the late afternoon. He should be tired tonight. Dave made empanadas for dinner, Jon made a key lime pie for dessert, and I served up the colace and milk of magnesia.
Chad stopped by and after feeling Dad's shoulder, thinks it is not dislocated, though considering the pain, it may have fractured. He brought Dad a sling for his arm and an ace bandage to wrap it up to keep it close to his chest. We have an appointment with an orthopedist tomorrow, then we see the radiologist and the retina specialist on Tuesday.
Dad wants to go to bed, so it's time to quit for now. I will try to write after the appointment tomorrow.
Dad spent the rest of the day in the Big Blue Chair. Thank goodness for football (and a win by the Falcons). He ate his meals there and finally napped in the late afternoon. He should be tired tonight. Dave made empanadas for dinner, Jon made a key lime pie for dessert, and I served up the colace and milk of magnesia.
Chad stopped by and after feeling Dad's shoulder, thinks it is not dislocated, though considering the pain, it may have fractured. He brought Dad a sling for his arm and an ace bandage to wrap it up to keep it close to his chest. We have an appointment with an orthopedist tomorrow, then we see the radiologist and the retina specialist on Tuesday.
Dad wants to go to bed, so it's time to quit for now. I will try to write after the appointment tomorrow.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Football Saturday
Jon is staying with Dad, and told me he is an early riser. I went over at 7:30 AM, to make sure he knew Dave and I were up. Actually, we were on our second pot of coffee, waiting for him. I went in, yelled HELLO! but there was no answer. I walked down the hallway towards the bedrooms. I could hear Dad lightly snoring in one, and although there was no noise coming from the guest room, I could see the outline of Jon's feet, under the covers, not moving. I tiptoed out and went home.
I tried again an hour later, and there they were at the breakfast table. Dad had on his Hawaiian shirt and Jon was in his walking clothes. Dave came over with another pot of coffee. Dad was feeling a little nauseous after taking his pills, so Dave made him some oatmeal and he felt better.
Later, Jon and I went for a nice long walk around the northern part of the island. Dad thought he might call Uncle Jack, but also was ready to take a little nap. When we came back, Dad was at the breakfast table eating cereal and a banana. I know he was feeling better as getting the cereal, milk, coffee, etc. to the table takes several little trips, and he had done it himself. We ate a very quick lunch, then Dad settled in the Big Blue Chair for the GA Tech/NC State football game.
Jon, Dave and I went to the soccer fields to watch Chase in his 2nd game of the season. We met Molly, Mary Ellen and Edward, who are visiting for the weekend. Chad was refereeing. We saw Chase score several goals. Yay Chase! Coleman was napping at home, with his nursery school teacher staying with him. I heard he was showing her EVERY toy he had in the playroom.
Dad was asleep when we got back, and said he had a great nap, after turning off the game since GT was losing (boo). Uncle Jack had called while he was snoozing, so Dad called him back and told him about his situation. I thought he choked up at one time, but he immediately got control of himself, and got through the conversation with a few jokes here and there.
Afterwards, he told Jon he was thinking of going up to see Jack, but Jon reminded him airline travel is pretty awful these days and it may be difficult. Dad said, Yeah, I guess I'm not quite healthy enough.
He is looking forward to the WVU game tonight (at 9 PM). He said if they lose (after GT's 2 losses and UGA's 2 losses) he's going to give up on college football. Yeah, right.
I found some Ovaltine Malted Milk at the grocery store, and Dad was excited Jon made him a milkshake this afternoon. Dave is currently in the process of making a veal & broccoli pasta dish for dinner. I need to fold my mountain of laundry. I had been invited to a "Bathing Suit Season is Over" party with "Copious Desserts." I didn't make the party, but Allison brought me a sampler plate afterwards. Yum!!
Overall, it's been a quiet day, Dad seems to feel better than yesterday, and is in good spirits.
I tried again an hour later, and there they were at the breakfast table. Dad had on his Hawaiian shirt and Jon was in his walking clothes. Dave came over with another pot of coffee. Dad was feeling a little nauseous after taking his pills, so Dave made him some oatmeal and he felt better.
Later, Jon and I went for a nice long walk around the northern part of the island. Dad thought he might call Uncle Jack, but also was ready to take a little nap. When we came back, Dad was at the breakfast table eating cereal and a banana. I know he was feeling better as getting the cereal, milk, coffee, etc. to the table takes several little trips, and he had done it himself. We ate a very quick lunch, then Dad settled in the Big Blue Chair for the GA Tech/NC State football game.
Jon, Dave and I went to the soccer fields to watch Chase in his 2nd game of the season. We met Molly, Mary Ellen and Edward, who are visiting for the weekend. Chad was refereeing. We saw Chase score several goals. Yay Chase! Coleman was napping at home, with his nursery school teacher staying with him. I heard he was showing her EVERY toy he had in the playroom.
Dad was asleep when we got back, and said he had a great nap, after turning off the game since GT was losing (boo). Uncle Jack had called while he was snoozing, so Dad called him back and told him about his situation. I thought he choked up at one time, but he immediately got control of himself, and got through the conversation with a few jokes here and there.
Afterwards, he told Jon he was thinking of going up to see Jack, but Jon reminded him airline travel is pretty awful these days and it may be difficult. Dad said, Yeah, I guess I'm not quite healthy enough.
He is looking forward to the WVU game tonight (at 9 PM). He said if they lose (after GT's 2 losses and UGA's 2 losses) he's going to give up on college football. Yeah, right.
I found some Ovaltine Malted Milk at the grocery store, and Dad was excited Jon made him a milkshake this afternoon. Dave is currently in the process of making a veal & broccoli pasta dish for dinner. I need to fold my mountain of laundry. I had been invited to a "Bathing Suit Season is Over" party with "Copious Desserts." I didn't make the party, but Allison brought me a sampler plate afterwards. Yum!!
Overall, it's been a quiet day, Dad seems to feel better than yesterday, and is in good spirits.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Big Bad Day
The results are in and the news is bad. Dad has cancer in his lungs, lymph nodes, kidney, hip, and rib according to his oncologist. There is a slight fracture in his rib, undetected on the initial Xray, but found on the CT scan. The doctor thinks there is cancer in the bone which made it weak enough to fracture. Since that's where most of Dad's pain is, the doctor suggested getting that area treated by radiation, which should ease the pain.
He also gave Dad the option of limited chemotherapy, but noted his cancer is not curable. The chemo may give him some relief.
The growth on the kidney is generally inconsistent with small cell cancer, which is what the rest of the cancer is. Dr. Luskey said it could be biopsied, to determine just what exactly it is, but considering the extent of the other cancer, it may not make a difference what it is.
Dr. Luskey said if Dad would like to pursue getting his eyes treated, he should do so. We tend to think that since Dad's eyesight is key to his few hobbies of reading, watching football and painting, we will go ahead with the medicinal injections (sounds unbearable to me, but you do what you have to do).
We have a consultation with a radiologist Tuesday morning to discuss the pros and cons of getting the rib treated.
Tuesday afternoon is Dad's appointment for his eyes.
Dr. Luskey prescribed a low dosage of oxycodone in addition to his current pain reliever, and said he would increase the dosage as necessary.
So the big question was, how long does Dad have? Dr. Luskey said 2 or 3 months probably, possibly 4 maybe (he stretched out saying m-a-y-b-e) up to 6. He sounded very doubtful past 3 months. The chemo might buy him a month or two.
Dad has some options to think about - radiation? chemo? eye treatments?
He took the news like the Marine he is. He hasn't said much except that he had wondered if his cancer was back. We went to a Mexican place for lunch, then home for his nap.
Jon, Dave and I were all in the room as Dr. Luskey delivered the news. Fortunately, Chad had looked at the reports last night and gave us a heads up. I'll see if Chad can print the reports for me then maybe I can describe the results more accurately. Chad's understanding is that the cancer is everywhere, even Dad's brain. Dr. Luskey didn't mention the brain, and we didn't ask. We felt Dad had heard enough.
We haven't talked much about the treatments yet. Dad has not brought up the subject, so we'll give him a day or two. He is handling it very well, and enjoyed a visit from Chase and Cole this afternoon. He seems fine this afternoon - from all outward appearances.
Dr. Luskey suggested we talk to Hospice, and I will do that.
He also gave Dad the option of limited chemotherapy, but noted his cancer is not curable. The chemo may give him some relief.
The growth on the kidney is generally inconsistent with small cell cancer, which is what the rest of the cancer is. Dr. Luskey said it could be biopsied, to determine just what exactly it is, but considering the extent of the other cancer, it may not make a difference what it is.
Dr. Luskey said if Dad would like to pursue getting his eyes treated, he should do so. We tend to think that since Dad's eyesight is key to his few hobbies of reading, watching football and painting, we will go ahead with the medicinal injections (sounds unbearable to me, but you do what you have to do).
We have a consultation with a radiologist Tuesday morning to discuss the pros and cons of getting the rib treated.
Tuesday afternoon is Dad's appointment for his eyes.
Dr. Luskey prescribed a low dosage of oxycodone in addition to his current pain reliever, and said he would increase the dosage as necessary.
So the big question was, how long does Dad have? Dr. Luskey said 2 or 3 months probably, possibly 4 maybe (he stretched out saying m-a-y-b-e) up to 6. He sounded very doubtful past 3 months. The chemo might buy him a month or two.
Dad has some options to think about - radiation? chemo? eye treatments?
He took the news like the Marine he is. He hasn't said much except that he had wondered if his cancer was back. We went to a Mexican place for lunch, then home for his nap.
Jon, Dave and I were all in the room as Dr. Luskey delivered the news. Fortunately, Chad had looked at the reports last night and gave us a heads up. I'll see if Chad can print the reports for me then maybe I can describe the results more accurately. Chad's understanding is that the cancer is everywhere, even Dad's brain. Dr. Luskey didn't mention the brain, and we didn't ask. We felt Dad had heard enough.
We haven't talked much about the treatments yet. Dad has not brought up the subject, so we'll give him a day or two. He is handling it very well, and enjoyed a visit from Chase and Cole this afternoon. He seems fine this afternoon - from all outward appearances.
Dr. Luskey suggested we talk to Hospice, and I will do that.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Starting Out
I had to come up with a name and address for this blog -- here's my logic: People often use the phrase 24/7 to mean 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I may be thinking of things to write about Dad 24/7. BUT, his birthday is 7/24, so, here we are. www.jimgreen724.blogspot.com
Wednesday 9/22/10
I guess everyone is up to speed about Dad's recurrence of lung cancer. I was going to wait until after his CT scan and oncologist visit so I could tell you something definitive, but things happen so quickly, and I end up telling people different things, depending upon when I talk/write, so I'm resorting to a one-message system so everyone will get the same info.
A quick history:
In August, Dad was doing extremely well. He was walking or riding his bike over a mile a day, and stopping at the Club for a beer as his reward. At the beginning of September, Dad had lots of pain in his hip, which came on suddenly. He thought it may have been a result of riding his bike. His doctor gave him a cortisone shot and an ointment to rub on his hip. It did not seem to improve so a week later we went back to the doctor and Dad got prescriptions for steroids, anti-inflammatories, and pain pills. Last week Dad complained that he felt like he had broken ribs, with bones rubbing together, so on Friday 9/17 he had a chest Xray. I got the radiologist report Monday, which said:
-No rib fracture seen.
-Numerous nodules in the lungs bilaterally likely metastatic disease.
Dad also complained of a loss of vision. At first he said he needed more light, then suddenly he felt he was going blind. The opthamologist was able to see us today.
The opthamologist said it looked like Dad had a detached retina and we needed to see a specialist asap. She sent us right over to a retina specialist who not only looked into his eyes several times, but also did an ultra sound and a scan after injecting dye into his veins. He has eye bleeding in both eyes, but especially his right eye (his good eye). It is putting pressure on the retina and causing his "blindness." The doc wants to inject a medicine to dry up his eye, but also needs to have Dad's blood thinner medicine reduced, to help stop the bleeding. He said we can wait until next week, so we have an appt. Tuesday.
We'll get the CT - whole body and bone scan - tomorrow, then see the oncologist Friday and hopefully have an idea of what we're dealing with, how serious it is, etc. Also, to see if his blood thinner can be adjusted to help stop the eye bleeding.
Dad has an appt. with an orthopedist Monday, about his hip, and the retina specialist Tuesday.
He is not feeling well tonight and says he feels like he has a fever. He didn't get a nap, and I think he's a little dehydrated. Molly brought a chicken stew and biscuit dinner for him, which he devoured, and had ice cream and chocolate sauce for dessert.
We talked about his cancer today in a round about way. He told me about a friend at Savannah Square that decided he was through living and quit taking his meds and started drinking. We laughed. I know he must be thinking about how hard the chemo was last time. He has said twice now, "I'm not going to take this any more." I'm not quite sure what he was talking about. I told him people have choices about their treatment, and that I will make sure any pain he has is dealt with. At this point, his pain seems to be related to his arthritis and muscles, and it helps to keep moving. That was about the extent of that discussion.
Well, he wanted me to come back at 8:45 to do his bedtime routine, so it's time for me to go. I'll write again when I know anything.
Thursday 9/23/10
It was another long day at the hospital, but Dad was up bright and early so we had enough time to stop at McDonald's. Dad had his usual hotcakes and sausage. I had my usual Carbmaster yogurt (what a name) and walnuts, brought from home.
Dad had a CT scan of his lungs and abdomen, after getting injected with dye, in the morning. He had a full body bone scan in the afternoon. He was exhausted and when he got home, took a pain pill and leaned back in the Big Blue Chair for a nap. I told him I'd be back at 6 pm, so I need to go.
Dad, Dave and I are all looking forward to Jon's visit this weekend! He arrives at 8 pm tonight.
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