It's amazing what urine back-up can do to your body. With that said I met my mom at Dr Suki's office for some blood work. Even though my dad was tired he was acting different. After the lab work I put my dad in the car for the drive home. It was then that I noticed he was not having hallucinations or jerks. We had a good conversation on the way home and he was even able to show me some "back roads." Once we got home I fed him through his tube and he took a long nap. Then he sat outside on the porch for a while and then off to the living room. I could tell he was feeling a lot better than yesterday. Hence, it's amazing what urine back-up can do.
I got my dad an appointment to see a dentist next Thursday and we are hoping re-aligning his dentures will help with his eating problem. I also was able to get an appointment with a urologist so my dad can fin out why he is having urine retention.
I hope my dad's weekend is a peaceful one.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
I spent the night at my parents house last night to relive my mom a bit and help her with a few things around the house. Dad is having colon spasm's so it is tricking his mind into thinking he has to go to the bathroom all the time. So dealing with that on top of being weak from the chemo takes all his energy. I have no idea how he has the strength to continue to go to appointments and do all the other stuff we ask of him.
This morning I took dad over to get his DC Pump removed. I knew my dad was retaining water and I felt he had some edema in his ankle's so I asked the nurses to check it. His nurse said he did have edema and called in some fluid pills and some potassium to help with the swelling.
So off we went to the Pet/Cat Scan area where my dad had to try and drink barium. Yeah right! I ended up having to put it in his feeding tube. I have grown to really love this feeding tube. Anyway after that we headed home.
Once we made it home, Jamie from Dr Suki's office called and said we had to bring dad back up to the hospital before 4 today. She said his bladder was distended and they needed to place a catheter in and he needed to see a urologist.
After the nurse placed the catheter in she drained 1600cc from his bladder which is like triple of what a full bladder should hold.
Mom said she thought he was feeling better after all that was completed. All day on Wednesday and Thursday when I was with him he was hallucinating and twitching really bad. He mostly is staying in the bedroom and we feed him through the feeding tube. Now that we got a system down we have actually out weight on him even with a liquid diet. We give him 5 Ensure shakes a day and 2-3 bottles of water through the feeding tube, whatever else he will eat during the day is a bonus. These bonus foods consist of 2 bites of this or 2 bites of that here and there.
I am going to meet mom at Dr Suki's office at 830 in the morning for my dad to get lab work completed. Then I am going to take him home and stay until my mom gets home. I hope he is more lucid tomorrow. That would be a huge plus.
This morning I took dad over to get his DC Pump removed. I knew my dad was retaining water and I felt he had some edema in his ankle's so I asked the nurses to check it. His nurse said he did have edema and called in some fluid pills and some potassium to help with the swelling.
So off we went to the Pet/Cat Scan area where my dad had to try and drink barium. Yeah right! I ended up having to put it in his feeding tube. I have grown to really love this feeding tube. Anyway after that we headed home.
Once we made it home, Jamie from Dr Suki's office called and said we had to bring dad back up to the hospital before 4 today. She said his bladder was distended and they needed to place a catheter in and he needed to see a urologist.
After the nurse placed the catheter in she drained 1600cc from his bladder which is like triple of what a full bladder should hold.
Mom said she thought he was feeling better after all that was completed. All day on Wednesday and Thursday when I was with him he was hallucinating and twitching really bad. He mostly is staying in the bedroom and we feed him through the feeding tube. Now that we got a system down we have actually out weight on him even with a liquid diet. We give him 5 Ensure shakes a day and 2-3 bottles of water through the feeding tube, whatever else he will eat during the day is a bonus. These bonus foods consist of 2 bites of this or 2 bites of that here and there.
I am going to meet mom at Dr Suki's office at 830 in the morning for my dad to get lab work completed. Then I am going to take him home and stay until my mom gets home. I hope he is more lucid tomorrow. That would be a huge plus.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
Monday we saw Dr Suki and he decided to go ahead with my dads chemo treatment. So he started his round one on Monday. Dr Suki is very concerned that my dad is giving up. He said he needs to fight and right now he knows my dad has just lost the will. He is just so tired and I know he is fighting so hard to live for us right now. He was just out of it on Monday during chemo and my mom said he was the same today. She said he is talking out of his head, is very weak, and stumbling all over the place. He is going to end up hurting himself. My mom is going to take him again for his appointment in the morning and I am going to go out to Splendora in the morning and help her out a bit.
After talking with Dr Suki on Monday he gives my dad 18-20 months if he fights the cancer. If we can't get him well enough to fight then he does not give him as long.
Hard to hear and write.
After talking with Dr Suki on Monday he gives my dad 18-20 months if he fights the cancer. If we can't get him well enough to fight then he does not give him as long.
Hard to hear and write.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
They released my dad from the hospital today. Not sure why but he is happy and more comfortable at home. He is still having several problems and things look pretty bleak. Mom took him home and said that he had already fell a few times at home so it looks like he is going to need some care 24/7 whether he wants to admit it or not. Mom is going to call Dr Suki in the morning to see if we can get an appointment and get some answers about what to face going forward.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
They are not releasing my dad from the hospital just yet... they Respiratory doctor came in today and told my mom that the cancer has not only spread to his brain but that they found more spots on my dads lungs. It's just seems when it rains it pours. He is just not himself the last few days, and it's just crushing my heart to watch. Its not fair.....
Friday, June 20, 2008
Friday - June 20th, 2008
My dad is still in the hospital and not really getting better. Dr Suki came in today and said that he thought he had a lung infection and was waiting for the results from an MRI. He told my dad he had to fight! He stressed the treatment would not work if he did not fight. He said the chemotherapy for colon cancer has a high success rate. After that Dr Suki told my mom and I that they found two spots on my dads brain. He could not say if it was malignant or not. That was just heartbreaking news. He still is not eating so we are having to feed him through his feeding tube. My dad just wants to go home and get comfortable. Dr Suki said he might let him go home tomorrow. After today I am not sure if that's possible but we will see.
He is at Memorial Herman Northeast Hospital in Humble, room 331 if you want to visit.
He is at Memorial Herman Northeast Hospital in Humble, room 331 if you want to visit.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday, June 18th 2008
Before dads appointment today he fell a few times at the house. My mom said his eyes rolled in the back of his head. Lucky he had a doctor appointment today and Dr Suki said his blood pressure was very low (74/56) so they were going to give him some fluids and see if that helped. The last blood pressure measure was 84/54 and he was still feeling dizzy. So Dr Suki decided to admit him to the hospital for some tests. So I am on my way over to NorthEast Hospital in Humble to stay overnight with him. More updates to come.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Today I met my mom over at Dr Suki's office for my dad's lab work. Mom went on to work and Dad and I finished up his labs and then we headed for another doctor appointment with Dr. Field. Dr Field is my dad's surgeon who implanted his feeding tube, chemo port, and removed my dads tumor.
Dr Field looked concerned about my dad and said he would be talking to Dr Suki to see if they could come up with some other form of pain management. My dad still can't get rid of pain even with all the medications he is on.
Dr Field gave strict instructions that my dad must have at least 5 Ensure's a day and at least 2 bottles of water in the feeding tube. He said everything else is a bonus.
So after that I carried my dad home and fed him an ensure and a bottle of water through the feeding tube. At one point he stumbled out of the bathroom and fell. He seemed to be very light headed and dizzy. I was scared to leave him but my brother was due home at 1pm so I asked him to check on my dad. I tried not to break down today but it was just heartbreaking. When I was leaving I gave him a big hug and the tears started. Urg!
After I left I went by a medical supply store to get some better syringes to feed my dad through the tube and carried them to my mom.
Finally I headed home.
Dr Field looked concerned about my dad and said he would be talking to Dr Suki to see if they could come up with some other form of pain management. My dad still can't get rid of pain even with all the medications he is on.
Dr Field gave strict instructions that my dad must have at least 5 Ensure's a day and at least 2 bottles of water in the feeding tube. He said everything else is a bonus.
So after that I carried my dad home and fed him an ensure and a bottle of water through the feeding tube. At one point he stumbled out of the bathroom and fell. He seemed to be very light headed and dizzy. I was scared to leave him but my brother was due home at 1pm so I asked him to check on my dad. I tried not to break down today but it was just heartbreaking. When I was leaving I gave him a big hug and the tears started. Urg!
After I left I went by a medical supply store to get some better syringes to feed my dad through the tube and carried them to my mom.
Finally I headed home.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Friday the 13th, 2008
On Wednesday, I picked up dad and took him over to Kingwood for a round of Erbitux. He had to see Dr Suki first then we went on back. It was a pretty long day. Dad is still having a hard time getting comfortable and sleeping through the night. The doctor gave him some more pain medications and a new sleeping pill. Dad has dropped about 10 more pounds, he weighed in at 155 pounds. The doctor told him he has to gain weight or he will not be able to beat the cancer with chemo.
The schedule changed up a bit. It takes a bit to get used to all the routine of it. One week my dad goes for labs and then the next day a round of Erbitux and a few other IV's so he does not have a reaction. Then the next week its labs on Tuesday, Chemo on Wed-Friday, and a round of Erbitux. So much to keep up with. I can't imagine dealing with cancer alone.....
The schedule changed up a bit. It takes a bit to get used to all the routine of it. One week my dad goes for labs and then the next day a round of Erbitux and a few other IV's so he does not have a reaction. Then the next week its labs on Tuesday, Chemo on Wed-Friday, and a round of Erbitux. So much to keep up with. I can't imagine dealing with cancer alone.....
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
June 10th, 2008 - Tuesday
Dad had an appointment with Dr Fields'(his surgeon) today at 2:30. Once I got there my dad said he did not feel like he could make it so we rescheduled the appointment.
I fed dad an Ensure with ReLiv in it through the feeding tube. My dad seems to be real apprehensive about the tube. He feels its not right and unnatural. I keep explaining to him that if he will drink at least 4 Ensure's a day then he can probably get the feeding tube out.
I don't think he wants to do the ReLiv anymore, he said it taste's nasty. So I told my mom not to mix them up and only do the ReLiv in the tube until he gets it out. I think she wants this stuff to cure him, trying any and everything makes you feel better.
My dad is seeing Dr Suki in the morning and he is doing a round of Erbitux so we should be there for a while. I am going to try to get a list of questions together so my dad will be prepared what they may ask.
I think I might start taping the Dr Apt so I can listen again and transcribe them. You here so much, things get jumbled, and then you doubt. Urg!
I fed dad an Ensure with ReLiv in it through the feeding tube. My dad seems to be real apprehensive about the tube. He feels its not right and unnatural. I keep explaining to him that if he will drink at least 4 Ensure's a day then he can probably get the feeding tube out.
I don't think he wants to do the ReLiv anymore, he said it taste's nasty. So I told my mom not to mix them up and only do the ReLiv in the tube until he gets it out. I think she wants this stuff to cure him, trying any and everything makes you feel better.
My dad is seeing Dr Suki in the morning and he is doing a round of Erbitux so we should be there for a while. I am going to try to get a list of questions together so my dad will be prepared what they may ask.
I think I might start taping the Dr Apt so I can listen again and transcribe them. You here so much, things get jumbled, and then you doubt. Urg!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday & Friday June 5-6, 2008
Dad had a 2nd round of chemo on 6/5 and they sent him home again with a pump. Then my brother dropped him off again this morning and I met him over there. He had an IV medication that is a long lasting nausea medication.
I guess I did not ask enough questions, so I had them make me a calendar for June. The chemo is every two weeks, but its 2 day chemo. He has to go every week to get an IV injection of Erbitux which attacks the tumor and cancer and helps shrink them.
He went home today to rest and next week he goes for some blood work and another round of Erbitux. The we start all over again.
It's a lot to ask of him right now I feel. Ask him to eat right when he is not hungry. Ask him to quit smoking when he has the most stress in his life. Ask him to be positive when he is scared shitless. And above all ask him to fight for his life even when he feels like shit.
I guess I did not ask enough questions, so I had them make me a calendar for June. The chemo is every two weeks, but its 2 day chemo. He has to go every week to get an IV injection of Erbitux which attacks the tumor and cancer and helps shrink them.
He went home today to rest and next week he goes for some blood work and another round of Erbitux. The we start all over again.
It's a lot to ask of him right now I feel. Ask him to eat right when he is not hungry. Ask him to quit smoking when he has the most stress in his life. Ask him to be positive when he is scared shitless. And above all ask him to fight for his life even when he feels like shit.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Wednesday - June 4, 2008
I met my mom and dad over in Kingwood for his 1st round of chemotherapy treatment. He looked awful, mom said he did not have a good night. I could tell he just looks like he is in a hella lot of pain, still. He still can't eat. He's drinking lots of ensure and every doctor appointment he goes to he has lost at least 1 or 2 pounds consistently.
So we met with Dr Suki before my dad started the treatment and finally around 11 am they started my dad on some IVs, I think a type of sodium chloride solution and a type of benedryl to make sure he does not have any reactions to the drugs. After that they started him on Adrucil, Erbitux, and Eloxatin for today. Today was the longest day, we got there at 9am and we left around 330, all in all the chemo took about 4 hour today.
I think he wanted to feel somewhat better after the treatment today but when we walked out he said he felt worse. They put a bag with chemo on his shoulder and sent us home.
He has to return tomorrow to remove the shoulder bag and IV.
My understanding is that he has to go every week.
Erbitux every week
Adrucil every 2 weeks
Eloxatin every 2 weeks
Once my dad has about 3-4 more weeks to heal from the surgery the doc is going to start him on Avastin. That will be an every 2 weeks thing too.
I asked the doctor to write a formal diagnosis so my mom can submit it to the insurance company for some possible reimbursements.
Health care is so expensive. The sad thing that I have come to realize to is about our healthcare is you better be prepared. You better write everything down. No one else will. No one else will keep all the appointments, medications, etc... straight. I feel sorry for people who do not at least have one person they can count on, it would be so hard to deal with it all.
They say Cancer is not a life sentence, I say "Cancer consumes the life of your family because they love you" and its a hard road. I am at the beginning of that road hesitant to walk forward. I have the push but I am resisting walking the road of Cancer. It is scaring the shit out of me. I just keep humming the lines to a Regina Spektor song...while we were on our knees - praying that disease--would leave the ones we love--and never come again. That's what I am wishing.
So we met with Dr Suki before my dad started the treatment and finally around 11 am they started my dad on some IVs, I think a type of sodium chloride solution and a type of benedryl to make sure he does not have any reactions to the drugs. After that they started him on Adrucil, Erbitux, and Eloxatin for today. Today was the longest day, we got there at 9am and we left around 330, all in all the chemo took about 4 hour today.
I think he wanted to feel somewhat better after the treatment today but when we walked out he said he felt worse. They put a bag with chemo on his shoulder and sent us home.
He has to return tomorrow to remove the shoulder bag and IV.
My understanding is that he has to go every week.
Erbitux every week
Adrucil every 2 weeks
Eloxatin every 2 weeks
Once my dad has about 3-4 more weeks to heal from the surgery the doc is going to start him on Avastin. That will be an every 2 weeks thing too.
I asked the doctor to write a formal diagnosis so my mom can submit it to the insurance company for some possible reimbursements.
Health care is so expensive. The sad thing that I have come to realize to is about our healthcare is you better be prepared. You better write everything down. No one else will. No one else will keep all the appointments, medications, etc... straight. I feel sorry for people who do not at least have one person they can count on, it would be so hard to deal with it all.
They say Cancer is not a life sentence, I say "Cancer consumes the life of your family because they love you" and its a hard road. I am at the beginning of that road hesitant to walk forward. I have the push but I am resisting walking the road of Cancer. It is scaring the shit out of me. I just keep humming the lines to a Regina Spektor song...while we were on our knees - praying that disease--would leave the ones we love--and never come again. That's what I am wishing.
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