26th Day of Healing......
Not much new to report today...we went searching for "bacteria" to assist Linda's GI...we shall see.....things are still acting up and she is eating very slowly and in small amounts several times a day....it may take some time to get back to "normal".
I did some research on Toxol last night and who knows what the side effects can be...we've heard cramping...tingling in the finger tips....etc etc...plus the sites all mention the possibility of nausea with hair loss etc. etc.....we remember each person is different...my only hope is she has an easier time this round....at least it won't "fry" her esophagus.....which started many of her recent problems.
We are going to Florida this Saturday and returning on the 18th..prior to her first session in the first cycle. We both agree a change in scenery might be helpful...particularly one that is warm.
We got the RV put away for the winter today...and celebrated son Jeff's birthday last night...a month or so late....son in law Chris' birthday was yesterday so we're a bit late on that one too...
Dave
ps..Linda continues to struggle with what was said yesterday at the doctor appointment...she is very close to her emotions as a result.....she is not sure if he was saying the follow up treatments weren't really needed or wouldn't make a difference and when he said she might want to go a year before the next CT scan as it wouldn't make a difference (she has decided to wait the year and not worry)...so we are going to clarify these things and others at our next appointment..just to make sure she is fully aware of what is being said.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tuesday Evening.......October 30th
25th Day of Healing...Today we got a "glimpse" at the future.....
Today Linda and I met with the medical oncologist...to see about the CTscan from yesterday and what the next steps were to be.....
First...he said the scan showed the tumors and nodes were "shrinking quite nicely"....
He then he said the initial treatments (chemo and radiation) were very aggressive to get things at the beginning...anything else from this point on was to go after "rogue cells".
He said that Linda had the hardest time of anyone in their experience with the GI problems (the tube feeding and all). He said that any symptoms Linda now had with her GI were most likely "post traumatic stress syndrone". Any symptoms she has now (and she has some) will work their way out with time.
Linda is now scheduled for her second phase of chemo which starts November 19th....it is TAXOL which is given on day 1 of 21 day cycles..of which there will be 4 of them...so on November 21....December 10....December 31...and January 21 the chemo will be given for each of the 4 cycles....
These cycles are designed to get the "rogue cells".....the cells that might have migrated with all of this....he is saying to do another CTscan in a year.....but is willing to do one sooner if she wishes....I think his statement was that it wouldn't make a difference how often it is done..when it gets to a certain point then they can deal with it....
Linda is very close to her emotions right now..things are a bit "raw".....it will take time......and she has to deal with the fatigue factor and eating....these are the two things Linda needs to figure out.....not overdoing and getting some nourishment of the right kind and amount... also there is the fear of the future and the unknown.....
Dave
ps..Linda cooked some fudge for the nurses in the infusion center..and they really liked it...Linda is very appreciative of their assistance and support during her first phase of chemo.
Today Linda and I met with the medical oncologist...to see about the CTscan from yesterday and what the next steps were to be.....
First...he said the scan showed the tumors and nodes were "shrinking quite nicely"....
He then he said the initial treatments (chemo and radiation) were very aggressive to get things at the beginning...anything else from this point on was to go after "rogue cells".
He said that Linda had the hardest time of anyone in their experience with the GI problems (the tube feeding and all). He said that any symptoms Linda now had with her GI were most likely "post traumatic stress syndrone". Any symptoms she has now (and she has some) will work their way out with time.
Linda is now scheduled for her second phase of chemo which starts November 19th....it is TAXOL which is given on day 1 of 21 day cycles..of which there will be 4 of them...so on November 21....December 10....December 31...and January 21 the chemo will be given for each of the 4 cycles....
These cycles are designed to get the "rogue cells".....the cells that might have migrated with all of this....he is saying to do another CTscan in a year.....but is willing to do one sooner if she wishes....I think his statement was that it wouldn't make a difference how often it is done..when it gets to a certain point then they can deal with it....
Linda is very close to her emotions right now..things are a bit "raw".....it will take time......and she has to deal with the fatigue factor and eating....these are the two things Linda needs to figure out.....not overdoing and getting some nourishment of the right kind and amount... also there is the fear of the future and the unknown.....
Dave
ps..Linda cooked some fudge for the nurses in the infusion center..and they really liked it...Linda is very appreciative of their assistance and support during her first phase of chemo.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday Evening......October 29th
24th Day of Healing....
Tomorrow is the BIG meeting with the medical oncologist..we find out how things have been going with the chemo and radiation...not sure what we are to expect. We will also learn about "next steps"...what will be happening over the next two or three months....initially we were told 4 more rounds of chemo over 3-4 months..we shall see.
Today Linda did the CTscan..this gives the oncologist what he needs to proceed. I "passed" my rotator surgery followup exam today(after "failing" last month)......so that's over..it will take a few more months to feel ok though, the doctor said. I also failed my hearing test in my left ear today and have to go to a specialist tomorrow (it's the pits getting old).
Linda is a bit worn out today..took a long nap..and still tired...long day for her yesterday...as she said.."it was about adrenalin".....the trick is to do things in moderation..when she starts feeling better she wants to revert to her old habits of going 110%....those days are over....a bit of moderation is in order. She continues to eat solid foods and is going to ask the doctor for a GI examination to make sure everything is ok....as she had such a hard time over the last month.
Dave
Tomorrow is the BIG meeting with the medical oncologist..we find out how things have been going with the chemo and radiation...not sure what we are to expect. We will also learn about "next steps"...what will be happening over the next two or three months....initially we were told 4 more rounds of chemo over 3-4 months..we shall see.
Today Linda did the CTscan..this gives the oncologist what he needs to proceed. I "passed" my rotator surgery followup exam today(after "failing" last month)......so that's over..it will take a few more months to feel ok though, the doctor said. I also failed my hearing test in my left ear today and have to go to a specialist tomorrow (it's the pits getting old).
Linda is a bit worn out today..took a long nap..and still tired...long day for her yesterday...as she said.."it was about adrenalin".....the trick is to do things in moderation..when she starts feeling better she wants to revert to her old habits of going 110%....those days are over....a bit of moderation is in order. She continues to eat solid foods and is going to ask the doctor for a GI examination to make sure everything is ok....as she had such a hard time over the last month.
Dave
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Sunday Night Second Set of Pictures...October 28th
Above...Granddaughter Taigen...Linda...daughter Wendy and son in law ChrisBelow ...Linda...son and groom Jim....Barb (Allen's wife)....Linda's brother in law Allen...son Jeff...daughter Janine and granddaughter Jillian upfront
Linda's friend and insurance agent Judy....daughter Janine..and Linda
Son and groom Jim...brother in law Allen...Son Jeff....Barb (Allen's wife)...bride Jenn....Linda...daughter Janine..and granddaughter Jillian in front
Bride with the groom and us
Linda's dear friends the Durhams'...he was our dentist also for many years...
Sunday Evening...October 28th
23rd Day of healing.....Let the pictures do the talking of the miraculous healing!
Linda getting ready for the reception and official wedding
Linda getting ready for the reception and official wedding
Groom Jim....granddaughter Jillian...brother in law Alen (and wife Barb) (from Linda's deceased husband Rich)....and Linda of course.
The groom and Mother
Linda and son Jeff
Linda with Allen and Barb (from Nebraska)
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Saturday Very Late (For Us).......October 27th
Today was a very special day for Linda.....what a turn around....see the previous post for the details in her own words.
We are in Portland for the wedding reception for Jim and Jenn...tonight we all got together at Janine's for dinner....Linda and I left early because of the need for rest and knowing tomorrow will be a long day.
First some pictures:
Linda yesterday calling anyone and everyone....things were not going well
Today what a difference! Linda got the tube out and was actually eating!
Tonight we got to spend some time with our two grandchildren..Jillian on the left and Taigen on the right
Linda with her two grandkids
Tomorrow the wedding reception....and more photos
Dave
Saturday Evening...October 27th
22nd Day of Healing...Now we are understanding what healing is...
Thank all of you who prayed with me yesterday (I feel like I prayed almost nonstop), because God listened to us and answered our prayers. I woke up this morning in a total different attitude. I told Dave I was going to quit being a victim and take charge of my life again. I found the nearest urgent care center and asked them to yank that food tube out. It took less than fifteen minutes to remove it, and I felt differently immediately. I went back to the motor coach and had some food to eat which went down well. I have eaten quite a few different foods today, all of which have given me no problems. I hate to get too optimistic too early, but I BELIEVE I have turned the corner.
Thank you for coming to my rescue!
Love and Gratitude................Linda
Thank all of you who prayed with me yesterday (I feel like I prayed almost nonstop), because God listened to us and answered our prayers. I woke up this morning in a total different attitude. I told Dave I was going to quit being a victim and take charge of my life again. I found the nearest urgent care center and asked them to yank that food tube out. It took less than fifteen minutes to remove it, and I felt differently immediately. I went back to the motor coach and had some food to eat which went down well. I have eaten quite a few different foods today, all of which have given me no problems. I hate to get too optimistic too early, but I BELIEVE I have turned the corner.
Thank you for coming to my rescue!
Love and Gratitude................Linda
Friday, October 26, 2007
Friday Evening, October 26, 2007
21st Day
Dave said I should do the post today, as he wasn't sure he could be correct on all the changes.
I waited the 24 hours, but found my symptoms hadn't cleared all that much, especially the belching of the tube food, so until it does, I decided to ignore the machine and try some real food. I had Dave take me food shopping and picked up some things I might try. I have had a half bottle of boost so far and a little jello, with little difficulty swallowing. I am trying just swallows at a time till my tummy adjusts to having food in it again. I called the nutritionist and she supported my decision, saying to just get through the weekend until I can get back in their care. Dave wants to take me home tomorrow, but I'm determined to stay through Sunday to attend the wedding reception.
My nerves are shot, though, and I know that is contributing to my tummy ills. I called the after hours doctor and he suggested a couple things including a heating pad and some 7-up. I have one medication that has a little anxiety relief but not much.
I thought all my problems were going to be over after the realligning of the feeding tube, but, was I ever wrong. I'm really having to pick myself up by the bootstraps, now. My strength is faltering and I can't allow that to happen. So right now, I'm asking for prayers of strength from all of you. I feel like I am in constant prayer mode, lately, but a few more can't hurt.
Thanks again for all of you who are hanging in there with me at this time. I love you all.
Love and gratitude....Linda
Dave said I should do the post today, as he wasn't sure he could be correct on all the changes.
I waited the 24 hours, but found my symptoms hadn't cleared all that much, especially the belching of the tube food, so until it does, I decided to ignore the machine and try some real food. I had Dave take me food shopping and picked up some things I might try. I have had a half bottle of boost so far and a little jello, with little difficulty swallowing. I am trying just swallows at a time till my tummy adjusts to having food in it again. I called the nutritionist and she supported my decision, saying to just get through the weekend until I can get back in their care. Dave wants to take me home tomorrow, but I'm determined to stay through Sunday to attend the wedding reception.
My nerves are shot, though, and I know that is contributing to my tummy ills. I called the after hours doctor and he suggested a couple things including a heating pad and some 7-up. I have one medication that has a little anxiety relief but not much.
I thought all my problems were going to be over after the realligning of the feeding tube, but, was I ever wrong. I'm really having to pick myself up by the bootstraps, now. My strength is faltering and I can't allow that to happen. So right now, I'm asking for prayers of strength from all of you. I feel like I am in constant prayer mode, lately, but a few more can't hurt.
Thanks again for all of you who are hanging in there with me at this time. I love you all.
Love and gratitude....Linda
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday Evening...October 25th
Day 20 of Healing.....When is this gonna end?
This drama of the feeding tube and all has come to dominate everything..as Linda says..this has been the worse part of the whole thing so far....and that is pretty significant.
Today we got a hold of the hospital's dietitian...Linda's regular dietitian is on vacation.....the dietitian understood the problem and the symptoms and the frustration and.....and. She spent the morning consulting with other dietitians and Linda's nurse practitioner and others.
This they know......Linda has an intolerance to the food......the question is why did it show up after 2-3 weeks of "no" problems.....why is it such a dominant issue now. Bloating, diarrhea and belching are clear signs of intolerance.
The plan: Linda is going off the food for 24 hours....then she is going back on in small metered amounts (instead of 100 ml per hour..it will be 25 ml per hour) and work her way back up. On Monday Linda is having another XRAY with the possibility that the tube came back up again (they claim it has happened). If this isn't the issue and if she continues to have an intolerance, they will find another food formula.
Also...Linda can start to eat by mouth if she can tolerate it...her desire is to experiment with "real" food tomorrow and maybe...maybe she will say "&*#^*# it all" ..pull out the tube and stay with the real stuff.
We shall see.
Stay tuned.
Dave
This drama of the feeding tube and all has come to dominate everything..as Linda says..this has been the worse part of the whole thing so far....and that is pretty significant.
Today we got a hold of the hospital's dietitian...Linda's regular dietitian is on vacation.....the dietitian understood the problem and the symptoms and the frustration and.....and. She spent the morning consulting with other dietitians and Linda's nurse practitioner and others.
This they know......Linda has an intolerance to the food......the question is why did it show up after 2-3 weeks of "no" problems.....why is it such a dominant issue now. Bloating, diarrhea and belching are clear signs of intolerance.
The plan: Linda is going off the food for 24 hours....then she is going back on in small metered amounts (instead of 100 ml per hour..it will be 25 ml per hour) and work her way back up. On Monday Linda is having another XRAY with the possibility that the tube came back up again (they claim it has happened). If this isn't the issue and if she continues to have an intolerance, they will find another food formula.
Also...Linda can start to eat by mouth if she can tolerate it...her desire is to experiment with "real" food tomorrow and maybe...maybe she will say "&*#^*# it all" ..pull out the tube and stay with the real stuff.
We shall see.
Stay tuned.
Dave
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday Evening...October 24th
19th Day of Healing....a bit of a slip?
Linda had a pretty good day today...and then....this afternoon while "feeding" some of the symptoms came back..not to the extent as before with the misplaced tube...but still a symptom returning.....
Tonight we had dinner at daughter Janine's...with the two new married ones...Jenn and Jim....it was a pretty good evening...and then Linda got pretty emotional as the discomfort was continuing due to the old symptoms...although not nearly as severe, it was a reminder to her that things weren't' going as well as she wanted.....Emotionally things can be the pitts..when one wants and should expect things to be better....
Anyway tomorrow we are making some calls to see if someone can explain it to us....
This is daughter Janine with her Mom and Jim and Jenn
I even got into the picture
Late this evening upon returning home (to the motorhome), the symptoms eased...but the mystery continues...
Dave
Linda had a pretty good day today...and then....this afternoon while "feeding" some of the symptoms came back..not to the extent as before with the misplaced tube...but still a symptom returning.....
Tonight we had dinner at daughter Janine's...with the two new married ones...Jenn and Jim....it was a pretty good evening...and then Linda got pretty emotional as the discomfort was continuing due to the old symptoms...although not nearly as severe, it was a reminder to her that things weren't' going as well as she wanted.....Emotionally things can be the pitts..when one wants and should expect things to be better....
Anyway tomorrow we are making some calls to see if someone can explain it to us....
This is daughter Janine with her Mom and Jim and Jenn
I even got into the picture
Late this evening upon returning home (to the motorhome), the symptoms eased...but the mystery continues...
Dave
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday Evening......October 23rd
18th day of healing..It might really begin now!
Perhaps we are now really "turning the corner"........
After last night's post, we received a call from Linda's niece, Denise, who lives in Florida and is a nurse supervisor at the local hospital...following the BLOG closely and in particular my last post where I expressed frustration with the complications with the "feeding". Denise's call was simple: "have them xray the placement of the feeding tube".
This morning, Linda called the radiation nurse who immediately set up an xray at the hospital and told us to drive in immediately. To make a long story short....DUH......the xray clearly showed a feeding tube looped within the stomach..still a small bit into the small intestine but clearly set up a "backflow" of food into the stomach causing bloating..discomfort..etc...etc.
Linda then went immediately to the lab where the tube was properly reinserted.....
The theory is that when Linda was having those earlier extreme vomiting sessions....this vomiting caused the tube to back up into the stomach.
Up to two weeks of misery ...when Linda should have been progressing to a much improved state......one would have thought with the years of experience by the Home IV personnel and the hospital dietitians...someone would have an an idea of what might have happened.....but it took a nurse three thousand miles away to figure it out......out hats are off to you Denise.....you are special!
Anyway.....we have "moved on"......we're not dwelling on who should have....
We are now in Portland with the motorhome..getting ready for Son Jim's and new daughter in law Jenn's wedding reception....although we missed the wedding in Mexico...his mother is bound and determined to make the reception....and my hope is now she can continue to move to a "healing state"...for sure her outlook has improved dramatically...the past two weeks took their toll on Linda.
Now let the healing begin for sure!
Dave
Perhaps we are now really "turning the corner"........
After last night's post, we received a call from Linda's niece, Denise, who lives in Florida and is a nurse supervisor at the local hospital...following the BLOG closely and in particular my last post where I expressed frustration with the complications with the "feeding". Denise's call was simple: "have them xray the placement of the feeding tube".
This morning, Linda called the radiation nurse who immediately set up an xray at the hospital and told us to drive in immediately. To make a long story short....DUH......the xray clearly showed a feeding tube looped within the stomach..still a small bit into the small intestine but clearly set up a "backflow" of food into the stomach causing bloating..discomfort..etc...etc.
Linda then went immediately to the lab where the tube was properly reinserted.....
The theory is that when Linda was having those earlier extreme vomiting sessions....this vomiting caused the tube to back up into the stomach.
Up to two weeks of misery ...when Linda should have been progressing to a much improved state......one would have thought with the years of experience by the Home IV personnel and the hospital dietitians...someone would have an an idea of what might have happened.....but it took a nurse three thousand miles away to figure it out......out hats are off to you Denise.....you are special!
Anyway.....we have "moved on"......we're not dwelling on who should have....
We are now in Portland with the motorhome..getting ready for Son Jim's and new daughter in law Jenn's wedding reception....although we missed the wedding in Mexico...his mother is bound and determined to make the reception....and my hope is now she can continue to move to a "healing state"...for sure her outlook has improved dramatically...the past two weeks took their toll on Linda.
Now let the healing begin for sure!
Dave
Monday, October 22, 2007
Monday Evening.....October 22nd
17th Day of healing......a step back
Linda experienced the same intestinal aches that were present last Friday and previous to that....the reduction in the food and the medication worked great Saturday and Sunday but returned this morning..the puzzling part was that previously it had occurred in the evening..now it was early morning.
St Charles Hospital is no help..they have 7 dietitians and we cannot get help from any one of them...they don't return calls....and the one working with Linda has been gone on a two week vacation..with no one to answer her calls etc.
The nurses in the cancer center in the hospital are trying to help...the nurse practitioner at the Clinic is trying to help..but we still feel lost and nervous about this side effect that someone should know specifically what it is...others must have experienced it...
Tomorrow we try again...Linda got a small "feed" at noon today but nothing since..we are going to try a part of a can tonight...but rest assured tomorrow we are going to make some demands of the hospital..this is unreasonable..particularly when she is under their care for the feeding.
Dave
Linda experienced the same intestinal aches that were present last Friday and previous to that....the reduction in the food and the medication worked great Saturday and Sunday but returned this morning..the puzzling part was that previously it had occurred in the evening..now it was early morning.
St Charles Hospital is no help..they have 7 dietitians and we cannot get help from any one of them...they don't return calls....and the one working with Linda has been gone on a two week vacation..with no one to answer her calls etc.
The nurses in the cancer center in the hospital are trying to help...the nurse practitioner at the Clinic is trying to help..but we still feel lost and nervous about this side effect that someone should know specifically what it is...others must have experienced it...
Tomorrow we try again...Linda got a small "feed" at noon today but nothing since..we are going to try a part of a can tonight...but rest assured tomorrow we are going to make some demands of the hospital..this is unreasonable..particularly when she is under their care for the feeding.
Dave
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sunday Evening......October 21st
16th Day of Healing....Not a Bad Day
Linda felt pretty good dressing up and "not acting like a cancer patient" today.......for John's Celebration of Life.....it was a moving celebration with a Wings and Indian foundation (which won't make sense to a lot of people reading this).....
Anyway, Linda is having a day much like yesterday....some pain but much different than a few days ago....and that's the good news. She continues to become more aware of and involved in her day to day affairs....takes a little off my back.
For race fans...Sebastian Bourdais won the Australian Champ Car race and the series championship for the 4th time...Lewis Hamilton had a bad day in Brazil in the last Formula One race and lost the championship....and Jeff Gordon came in 3rd and still leads the NASCAR series with 5 races to go.
Oh, and Boston is ahead 1 to 0 as I write this...go Red Sox! (But we will ultimately be behind the Colorado Rockies in the Series to support Denver based John Chase....who has taken us to a few Rockies games over the years).
Dave
PS...Last night I was remembering the words..."what a difference a day makes"...and thought I remembered a song titled the same...I looked it up and it is most appropriate...here it is:
What a difference a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine
What a difference a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss
It's heaven when you find romance on your menu
What a difference a day made
And the difference is you
Linda felt pretty good dressing up and "not acting like a cancer patient" today.......for John's Celebration of Life.....it was a moving celebration with a Wings and Indian foundation (which won't make sense to a lot of people reading this).....
Anyway, Linda is having a day much like yesterday....some pain but much different than a few days ago....and that's the good news. She continues to become more aware of and involved in her day to day affairs....takes a little off my back.
For race fans...Sebastian Bourdais won the Australian Champ Car race and the series championship for the 4th time...Lewis Hamilton had a bad day in Brazil in the last Formula One race and lost the championship....and Jeff Gordon came in 3rd and still leads the NASCAR series with 5 races to go.
Oh, and Boston is ahead 1 to 0 as I write this...go Red Sox! (But we will ultimately be behind the Colorado Rockies in the Series to support Denver based John Chase....who has taken us to a few Rockies games over the years).
Dave
PS...Last night I was remembering the words..."what a difference a day makes"...and thought I remembered a song titled the same...I looked it up and it is most appropriate...here it is:
What a difference a day made
Twenty-four little hours
Brought the sun and the flowers
Where there used to be rain
My yesterday was blue, dear
Today I'm part of you, dear
My lonely nights are through, dear
Since you said you were mine
What a difference a day makes
There's a rainbow before me
Skies above can't be stormy
Since that moment of bliss, that thrilling kiss
It's heaven when you find romance on your menu
What a difference a day made
And the difference is you
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Saturday Evening.....October 20th
15th Day of Healing....What a Difference a Day Makes....
She's back!
Linda is having a much better day today......she "dialed"" into the right help and it has made a remarkable difference...no bloating...no gut pain...reduced esophagitis.
In this recovery, it is very important to feel like things are moving forward... both of us were feeling a bit (she a bit more) depressed...wondering when does this end.
The new medication makes things a bit trickier in terms of when it needs to be taken..but if it works...it's worth the effort.
The creek has gone down a lot....the worry about that has disappeared.....our "sandy beach" has disappeared...much as it appeared with last winter's deluge.....so we can no longer advertise our place as "beach front"!....but the river rocks look nice. Below is a picture taken by our neighbor across the creek at the height of the "raging river"..our home is to the right
Tomorrow we will be going to John Homan's "A Celebration of Life"...there was also a function tonight but we felt it was a bit risky to try to attend that too. John (pictured below) was known for his colorful tropical shirts with shorts..no matter what season it was.
She's back!
Linda is having a much better day today......she "dialed"" into the right help and it has made a remarkable difference...no bloating...no gut pain...reduced esophagitis.
In this recovery, it is very important to feel like things are moving forward... both of us were feeling a bit (she a bit more) depressed...wondering when does this end.
The new medication makes things a bit trickier in terms of when it needs to be taken..but if it works...it's worth the effort.
The creek has gone down a lot....the worry about that has disappeared.....our "sandy beach" has disappeared...much as it appeared with last winter's deluge.....so we can no longer advertise our place as "beach front"!....but the river rocks look nice. Below is a picture taken by our neighbor across the creek at the height of the "raging river"..our home is to the right
Tomorrow we will be going to John Homan's "A Celebration of Life"...there was also a function tonight but we felt it was a bit risky to try to attend that too. John (pictured below) was known for his colorful tropical shirts with shorts..no matter what season it was.
Tonight is the Australian running of the Champ Car World Series we work with...it is actually Sunday in Australia...nice to see a race again even though it's not one we work.
Dave
PS...I almost "choked" tonight...Linda is hungry!!!!!! If it's not one extreme, it's another!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday Evening....October 19th
14th Day of healing...What a Night and Day it Was.........
I didn't get much sleep after Dave hooked me up to my food at 4:00 am as a storm was going through and what a loud one it was. I got pretty anxious and just lay there and listened. It was quite a view when we looked out our windows when the sun finally came up. The creek had really expanded and changed it's position. It'll be interesting to see what it finally settles into.
This morning I got on the phone and called a lot of my care givers in both the clinic and the hospital. I have been very unhappy with how my feeding has gone and how hard it has been on my intestines. I've been pretty miserable during my feeding sessions, especially the evening session. We're making two changes, at least temporarily. I am taking a new drug which should help with the flow of the food to my intestine. They are also having me suspend the evening feedings through the weekend to see if the intestines will do some healing. I'm not sure what will happen after that. In the meantime, I'm doing on less food so will probably lose some weight, but hopefully not much. I'm also avoiding any foods by mouth for the interim. My esophagus is more sore today because of the vanilla shake I had last night.
I hope something gets figured out with all this. I don't feel like I should have to go through this extra pain, and that there should be a solution somewhere.
Thanks again for all your love and support. The road to recovery feels very long and lonely sometimes, so I am very blessed to have you all.
Love and gratitude......Linda
Linda talked a bit about the "night of nights"..the wind started to blow very hard in the middle of the night....two very large flashes occurred which was the power station shorting out...and then no electricity for a few hours.....and then we kept hearing what we thought was the wind continuing to blow only to find out at daylight that the creek turned into a raging river:
I didn't get much sleep after Dave hooked me up to my food at 4:00 am as a storm was going through and what a loud one it was. I got pretty anxious and just lay there and listened. It was quite a view when we looked out our windows when the sun finally came up. The creek had really expanded and changed it's position. It'll be interesting to see what it finally settles into.
This morning I got on the phone and called a lot of my care givers in both the clinic and the hospital. I have been very unhappy with how my feeding has gone and how hard it has been on my intestines. I've been pretty miserable during my feeding sessions, especially the evening session. We're making two changes, at least temporarily. I am taking a new drug which should help with the flow of the food to my intestine. They are also having me suspend the evening feedings through the weekend to see if the intestines will do some healing. I'm not sure what will happen after that. In the meantime, I'm doing on less food so will probably lose some weight, but hopefully not much. I'm also avoiding any foods by mouth for the interim. My esophagus is more sore today because of the vanilla shake I had last night.
I hope something gets figured out with all this. I don't feel like I should have to go through this extra pain, and that there should be a solution somewhere.
Thanks again for all your love and support. The road to recovery feels very long and lonely sometimes, so I am very blessed to have you all.
Love and gratitude......Linda
Linda talked a bit about the "night of nights"..the wind started to blow very hard in the middle of the night....two very large flashes occurred which was the power station shorting out...and then no electricity for a few hours.....and then we kept hearing what we thought was the wind continuing to blow only to find out at daylight that the creek turned into a raging river:
Linda was very very down during the night and early today.....because of the discomfort of the feeding, particularly in the prior evening..I think the pain of the esophagus has been "masking" it....anyway she has asked many medical caregivers over the past week for help and she kept getting "suggestions"....this morning she'd had enough.,..she wanted some real help.....and then she found out all the dietitians were on vacation (from multiple agencies).....the Home IV center (which provides the food) continued to provide "lame" answers, etc etc. She finally went back to the places that have been the "anchors" .......the oncologist nurse practitioner.....now we have a plan and we are following it....there is a sharp reduction in the food being given.....through the weekend.....Linda might lose some weight but it will ease the system.....the other place Linda went to was the radiation oncologist nurse who ordered her a prescription to have the "gut" adjust to all this....
Thanks to both of these great folks...the effects are being experienced already...Linda is much more at ease....the anxiety has been reduced..she is a bit hungry...but she is in much better shape....now we'll see how she weathers the weekend.
Dave
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Thursday Evening.....October 18th
Day 13 of Healing........turning the corner?
Today Linda started out in the doldrums (her term).......to her this meant she was a bit "down"....having to "tube feed" which dominates her day...etc. etc.
My experience...first of all..the "doldrums" was an old sailing term we once learned about being in the "calm ".....and how my experience was much different than hers....I see the pain level going down each day....."gut aches" that continue but each doctor seems to think it is something that goes along with the "feeding"...and that if the "gut aches" have come to the forefront...it might be because other things like the pain level..are decreasing. I think it also has to do with an impatience...which isn't bad as a week ago, Linda didn't really care...now she is more alert and more aware of the side effects of all this. I think she is progressing well.....but again, I'm not the patient.
Today we went to Bend to meet with the radiation oncologist..and also had a good meeting with Pastor Paul...he offered words of encouragement and is there for the long haul to assist Linda...thanks much to him.
Linda also met with building partner, Sean while waiting for the oncologist.....Sean is carrying much of the load while Linda is ill...not an easy task with the building slump the way it is.....
Linda even had time to have the xray department nurses in the hospital retape her nose.....get some more cans of "tube food" from the Home IV folks and get her "labs" done for the upcoming CTscan on the 29th.
Today Linda started out in the doldrums (her term).......to her this meant she was a bit "down"....having to "tube feed" which dominates her day...etc. etc.
My experience...first of all..the "doldrums" was an old sailing term we once learned about being in the "calm ".....and how my experience was much different than hers....I see the pain level going down each day....."gut aches" that continue but each doctor seems to think it is something that goes along with the "feeding"...and that if the "gut aches" have come to the forefront...it might be because other things like the pain level..are decreasing. I think it also has to do with an impatience...which isn't bad as a week ago, Linda didn't really care...now she is more alert and more aware of the side effects of all this. I think she is progressing well.....but again, I'm not the patient.
Today we went to Bend to meet with the radiation oncologist..and also had a good meeting with Pastor Paul...he offered words of encouragement and is there for the long haul to assist Linda...thanks much to him.
Linda also met with building partner, Sean while waiting for the oncologist.....Sean is carrying much of the load while Linda is ill...not an easy task with the building slump the way it is.....
Linda even had time to have the xray department nurses in the hospital retape her nose.....get some more cans of "tube food" from the Home IV folks and get her "labs" done for the upcoming CTscan on the 29th. Then we met with the radiation oncologist...his summary: EXCEPTIONAL........he thinks Linda is doing great....even with the side effects she is weathering.....he was very impressed. He is scheduling her next meeting for 6 months from now!......of course the main action now is again with the medical oncologist...but it felt good to hear good news.
Linda is experimenting with eating again tonight...and did a ENSURE in a milkshake form...it was more pain to drink it but the pain wasn't lingering...a plus for sure......she is waiting to see the longer term effects and tomorrow will work to get more though the mouth.
Dave
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Wednesday Evening...October 17th
12th day of healing......
Today Linda went to the "new" doctor....to be her "regular" doctor (the previous one had quit the business)....not much the new doctor can do at this point as Linda is in the middle of cancer treatments and all.....but the good news is she is there now in case Linda needs her. Linda added some drama to the visit by becoming nauseated in the middle of the doctor visit......a quick nausea shot cured that...and Linda got a flu shot also as the doctor felt Linda didn't need to get the flu in the middle of things.
Linda's friend Judy...our insurance agent too....stopped by to visit this morning.....the hour was reasonable but I'd had a restless night because of my shoulder and slept in....so we were still in bed at a time we normally would have been "up and at it".......anyway Linda and Judy had a good visit...and a good picture. Sometimes I remember to take a picture of visitors and sometimes my "old timers" takes over and I forget..so there is no design to not take a picture of someone who visits..just wish I remembered more to do so.
Today Linda went to the "new" doctor....to be her "regular" doctor (the previous one had quit the business)....not much the new doctor can do at this point as Linda is in the middle of cancer treatments and all.....but the good news is she is there now in case Linda needs her. Linda added some drama to the visit by becoming nauseated in the middle of the doctor visit......a quick nausea shot cured that...and Linda got a flu shot also as the doctor felt Linda didn't need to get the flu in the middle of things.
Linda's friend Judy...our insurance agent too....stopped by to visit this morning.....the hour was reasonable but I'd had a restless night because of my shoulder and slept in....so we were still in bed at a time we normally would have been "up and at it".......anyway Linda and Judy had a good visit...and a good picture. Sometimes I remember to take a picture of visitors and sometimes my "old timers" takes over and I forget..so there is no design to not take a picture of someone who visits..just wish I remembered more to do so. Tomorrow we meet with the radiation oncologist..not sure what it all means..perhaps he just wants to check on Linda's condition.
It looks like our motorhome will have it's warranty issues resolved by this weekend...Linda wants to take it to the "valley" to visit family but be close to home in case problems arise.....also the wedding reception is on the 28th so we will be close to attend that.
Dave
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday Evening......October 16th
Day 11 of healing......small steps...
Not a bad day today....we took a long walk on a brisk day...summer is looking like it's history.
Linda isn't attempting to eat anything...focusing instead on healing the esophagus and drinking 20 ounces of water a day.....there were too many "side affects" showing up clouding the basic issues....so it's tube feeding for a bit longer than we had originally figured.
Tomorrow Linda sees her "regular doctor" for the first time....a new "regular doctor"...last spring her regular doctor quit her practice while we were in Florida so Linda had no clue until she needed to go for her normal checkup. Surprise, surprise......and you know what it takes to get to see a new doctor....which is kind of how Linda ended up in Urgent Care for her "cough" (first signs of where we are today). Once Linda got the new doctor, the oncologists and nurse practitioner wanted her to delay seeing the new doctor as things are/were pretty "screwed up" because of the radiation and chemo. The new doctor wouldn't be able to do much in that situation. Anyway, tomorrow Linda will get to see the "regular doctor" for the first time.....for a checkup for the "normal things".
Dave
Not a bad day today....we took a long walk on a brisk day...summer is looking like it's history.
Linda isn't attempting to eat anything...focusing instead on healing the esophagus and drinking 20 ounces of water a day.....there were too many "side affects" showing up clouding the basic issues....so it's tube feeding for a bit longer than we had originally figured.
Tomorrow Linda sees her "regular doctor" for the first time....a new "regular doctor"...last spring her regular doctor quit her practice while we were in Florida so Linda had no clue until she needed to go for her normal checkup. Surprise, surprise......and you know what it takes to get to see a new doctor....which is kind of how Linda ended up in Urgent Care for her "cough" (first signs of where we are today). Once Linda got the new doctor, the oncologists and nurse practitioner wanted her to delay seeing the new doctor as things are/were pretty "screwed up" because of the radiation and chemo. The new doctor wouldn't be able to do much in that situation. Anyway, tomorrow Linda will get to see the "regular doctor" for the first time.....for a checkup for the "normal things".
Dave
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday Evening....October 15th
Day 10 of healing.......One step back...two steps forward....
Linda did pretty good today....she consulted with the hospital dietition and Home IV nurse and learned a lot about what is going on with her body...and this feeding "stuff".
Where we had understood the healing of the esophagus would take 10 to 14 days after the last radiation session...now we learn the whole thing with the esophagus and weaning off the "tube feeding" and all can take as long as two months......it was suggested the real timeline is 6 weeks to two months to get back on "real food. Not only is the pain of the esophagitus a concern but also the amount of calories ingested (by the "tube" or by mouth).....it can be a lengthy process to transition from one to the other and receive adequate nourishment.
We are working on perhaps "taking off" for a week before Linda needs to be tested and back in the "druges of chemo" again...it all depends on how Linda is feeling.
Dave
Linda did pretty good today....she consulted with the hospital dietition and Home IV nurse and learned a lot about what is going on with her body...and this feeding "stuff".
Where we had understood the healing of the esophagus would take 10 to 14 days after the last radiation session...now we learn the whole thing with the esophagus and weaning off the "tube feeding" and all can take as long as two months......it was suggested the real timeline is 6 weeks to two months to get back on "real food. Not only is the pain of the esophagitus a concern but also the amount of calories ingested (by the "tube" or by mouth).....it can be a lengthy process to transition from one to the other and receive adequate nourishment.
We are working on perhaps "taking off" for a week before Linda needs to be tested and back in the "druges of chemo" again...it all depends on how Linda is feeling.
Dave
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Sunday Evening......October 14th
9th day of healing.....one step forward...two steps back....
Linda started today thinking she could eat more by mouth and perhaps eliminating the need for at least one can of "tube food"...but it didn't go according to plan...eating by mouth still bothers her esophagus...so she has slowed things down a bit. Tonight she is thinking about it all..she's a bit scared to try anything. Like the doctor said..she will know when..it's up to her.
We took a walk at the fall festival here in Sisters, Oregon...it looks like today might be the last warm, sunny day...with the cold coming tomorrow...we have two seasons here.....summer and winter.....skiing is about a month away. Friends from Bend stopped by to check in on Linda and were amazed at how far she has progressed.
We are getting "cabin fever" and thinking we might squeeze in a trip somewhere before Linda starts treatments again...it all depends on how she feels...which is mostly about the ability to eat and get rid of the "tube".
Linda started today thinking she could eat more by mouth and perhaps eliminating the need for at least one can of "tube food"...but it didn't go according to plan...eating by mouth still bothers her esophagus...so she has slowed things down a bit. Tonight she is thinking about it all..she's a bit scared to try anything. Like the doctor said..she will know when..it's up to her.
We took a walk at the fall festival here in Sisters, Oregon...it looks like today might be the last warm, sunny day...with the cold coming tomorrow...we have two seasons here.....summer and winter.....skiing is about a month away. Friends from Bend stopped by to check in on Linda and were amazed at how far she has progressed.
We are getting "cabin fever" and thinking we might squeeze in a trip somewhere before Linda starts treatments again...it all depends on how she feels...which is mostly about the ability to eat and get rid of the "tube".
The above picture was taken the other morning of our house by the neighbor across the creek....we understand she also submitted it to the local TV station which featured it....
Dave
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Saturday Morning (and Afternoon) (and Evening).....October 13th
Day 8 of healing....a day of experimentation...
Linda is trying to eat "real food" today....in very small amounts...her esophagus feels it but she is determined to set some goals for real healing...which includes the start of eating....
As a note of importance to us and some of you....John Homan passed away this past week at age 51.....John is someone I have thought of a lot....and have been part of some of his life experiences, in particular, Wings Seminars.....Linda and my sympathies go to Wendy and Ashley and others in his family. I understand a celebration of life will be held next on the 21st of October at the Mountain View High school Auditorium in Bend at 2 pm. I also understand a John Homan Scholarship Fund has been established at Wings Seminars (http://www.wings-seminars.com/).
Dave
Afternoon.......
Linda ate some jello...felt pretty good...this morning she ate part of a waffle...kind of hard to swallow...I reminded her that she ended eating...by eating soft foods, mostly liquid...so that's what she's going with for the next few days at least.
We took a long walk..longest yet....visited the neighbors across the creek and looked at how the bridge construction is going (which will affect traffic at the end of our street).....tomorrow we are walking to the community fall festival which is close but still a good walk...
Evening......
Linda drank some ENSURE....didn't like it at all (picky...picky)....so tomorrow it's Carnation Instant Breakfasts and Slimfasts.....she likes those.....AND more jello. She did well in meeting her water intake targets today.
Linda is trying to eat "real food" today....in very small amounts...her esophagus feels it but she is determined to set some goals for real healing...which includes the start of eating....
As a note of importance to us and some of you....John Homan passed away this past week at age 51.....John is someone I have thought of a lot....and have been part of some of his life experiences, in particular, Wings Seminars.....Linda and my sympathies go to Wendy and Ashley and others in his family. I understand a celebration of life will be held next on the 21st of October at the Mountain View High school Auditorium in Bend at 2 pm. I also understand a John Homan Scholarship Fund has been established at Wings Seminars (http://www.wings-seminars.com/).
Dave
Afternoon.......
Linda ate some jello...felt pretty good...this morning she ate part of a waffle...kind of hard to swallow...I reminded her that she ended eating...by eating soft foods, mostly liquid...so that's what she's going with for the next few days at least.
We took a long walk..longest yet....visited the neighbors across the creek and looked at how the bridge construction is going (which will affect traffic at the end of our street).....tomorrow we are walking to the community fall festival which is close but still a good walk...
Evening......
Linda drank some ENSURE....didn't like it at all (picky...picky)....so tomorrow it's Carnation Instant Breakfasts and Slimfasts.....she likes those.....AND more jello. She did well in meeting her water intake targets today.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Friday Evening......October 12th
Day 7 of healing........not as good as yesterday...
Linda is feeling a bit "less" than yesterday.....some of the illness side of things has resurfaced...the pain continues from the esophagus as well as some heartburn. She still contiues to be more alert and managing things.
The calls from Mexico came today..looks like we have a new daughter-in-law....and the wedding went well...our congratulations and love to both the bride and groom and hope they get to experience a relationship at the level Linda and I have. "It don't get any better than this!"
Dave
Linda is feeling a bit "less" than yesterday.....some of the illness side of things has resurfaced...the pain continues from the esophagus as well as some heartburn. She still contiues to be more alert and managing things.
The calls from Mexico came today..looks like we have a new daughter-in-law....and the wedding went well...our congratulations and love to both the bride and groom and hope they get to experience a relationship at the level Linda and I have. "It don't get any better than this!"
Dave
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday Evening......October 11th
Day 6...a pretty good day...signs of things to come?
Today has been a day of mixed emotions. The pain has been as high as the last several days, but I haven't felt as sick as usual, so there were times I was wishing I were in Mexico witnessing Jim's wedding. I still believe I made the right decision staying home, but it's been hard wanting so badly to be there with my family on such an important family occasion. I'll just have to look forward to viewing the pictures.
I had company today which helped past the time. A neighbor down the street stopped by and my cousin Ron Stock, a doctor from Eugene, stopped to visit on his way to a medical conference in Sun River. I also took a nice walk to pick up the mail in the beautiful fall weather. I find I have more energy than usual walking which is good.
Linda
Today is a remarkable day...Linda is some of her "old self"...more alert and although still in pain, her presence is much more than it has been in a long time...have we turned the corner? Each day will bring more healing and much more of the Linda we all know...maybe some setbacks but I sense she is starting on the road back. Linda is paying attention to things that weren't in her focus or priority a day ago.
Dave
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday Evening....October 10th
Day 5....a puzzle answered?
In the shower today, Linda found that she had lost her fentanyl (pain) patch.....later this afternoon, she discovered that a sweat shirt she had worn the last two days was the culprit. The fleece inside the shirt had caught on the patch and torn it off...maybe two days ago? This most likely contributed to the pain increase. Linda was wearing the sweat shirt as things are starting to "cool off" in Central Oregon.....
The Clinic called this morning and wanted Linda to come in after she described her increased nausea and pain.....Linda went in and was given two nausea medications that are long term...3 to 5 days....this is to support the medications she takes for nausea at home.....she also was given hydration as her water intake was less yesterday as a result of the pain and vomiting.
So tonight the pain is still high as the fentanyl patch takes time to "kick in". Our hope is that things settle down and she "turns the corner" and starts showing some healing.
Dave
In the shower today, Linda found that she had lost her fentanyl (pain) patch.....later this afternoon, she discovered that a sweat shirt she had worn the last two days was the culprit. The fleece inside the shirt had caught on the patch and torn it off...maybe two days ago? This most likely contributed to the pain increase. Linda was wearing the sweat shirt as things are starting to "cool off" in Central Oregon.....
The Clinic called this morning and wanted Linda to come in after she described her increased nausea and pain.....Linda went in and was given two nausea medications that are long term...3 to 5 days....this is to support the medications she takes for nausea at home.....she also was given hydration as her water intake was less yesterday as a result of the pain and vomiting.
So tonight the pain is still high as the fentanyl patch takes time to "kick in". Our hope is that things settle down and she "turns the corner" and starts showing some healing.
Dave
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Tuesday Afternoon....October 9th
Day 4...
Things aren't getting better...things are going the opposite direction for Linda...increased nausea and increased pain...which is wearing her down....we've got a call into the doctor but have yet to hear back. Today is the day off for the nurse practitioner and her nurse.....so we wait.
The medications are being given at maximum now with no real relief.....they work temporarily for a short period....we're not quite sure when this thing is going to make the turn for the better.
Dave
Things aren't getting better...things are going the opposite direction for Linda...increased nausea and increased pain...which is wearing her down....we've got a call into the doctor but have yet to hear back. Today is the day off for the nurse practitioner and her nurse.....so we wait.
The medications are being given at maximum now with no real relief.....they work temporarily for a short period....we're not quite sure when this thing is going to make the turn for the better.
Dave
Monday, October 8, 2007
Monday Afternoon.....October 8th
3rd day of healing..."bump day"...
Today we cancelled the flight to Mexico for the wedding...Linda just isn't up to the trip...it was her decision....and a very reluctant but wise one....she regrets not having the two weeks of healing back that would have made the trip possible.
Yesterday was the closest she has come to wanting to go back to the hospital...the pain increased dramatically late in the day and she was nauseated. Today she got nauseated again...but the pain is manageable. I've given her everything there to give prescription wise. Things are just too unstable to think about going anywhere.....my hope is that tomorrow thing start to turn to the better...they said today might be the worst after the last radiation session....and they did say it will take 3 to 4 months to get back to feeling somewhat normal. They also said she might feel like eating something in 10 to 14 days..slowly at first.
That's about it...
Dave
Today we cancelled the flight to Mexico for the wedding...Linda just isn't up to the trip...it was her decision....and a very reluctant but wise one....she regrets not having the two weeks of healing back that would have made the trip possible.
Yesterday was the closest she has come to wanting to go back to the hospital...the pain increased dramatically late in the day and she was nauseated. Today she got nauseated again...but the pain is manageable. I've given her everything there to give prescription wise. Things are just too unstable to think about going anywhere.....my hope is that tomorrow thing start to turn to the better...they said today might be the worst after the last radiation session....and they did say it will take 3 to 4 months to get back to feeling somewhat normal. They also said she might feel like eating something in 10 to 14 days..slowly at first.
That's about it...
Dave
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Sunday Evening.......October 7th
2nd day of healing..........
Today was pretty much an uneventful day...until late this afternoon when Linda got quite bloated....why....who knows....just seemed to be something that crept in to spring something new... in addition, her pain shot up..much more than earlier this day or in the past few days...it took a lot of pain medication to bring it back down.
Linda's brother Norman came over from the Valley to visit...before he heads off to Africa....which he serves in a missionary function every couple of years...he is heading to Uganda again.
Today was pretty much an uneventful day...until late this afternoon when Linda got quite bloated....why....who knows....just seemed to be something that crept in to spring something new... in addition, her pain shot up..much more than earlier this day or in the past few days...it took a lot of pain medication to bring it back down.
Linda's brother Norman came over from the Valley to visit...before he heads off to Africa....which he serves in a missionary function every couple of years...he is heading to Uganda again.
We are still uncertain about Mexico...we would be leaving Tuesday for Portland as the flight is out of Portland at 6:45 am on Wednesday (which means we have to get to the airport at a very early hour)....so it won't be too much longer till a decision has to be made. At this point it seems risky with Linda not stabilized.....and the fact of not having her doctors close....we shall see what tomorrow brings.
This is the award Linda received for her work with the American Cancer Society in 1984-85.....and she has supported it by contributions since.
Dave
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Saturday Evening......October 6th
Day 1.......let the healing begin.....
Not much new to report today....we did a whole lot of nothing.....no doctors to see....no radiation.....no chemo.....a day of medications and tube feeding....and rest.
We hope for more days of "nothing new" and healing....
Dave
Friday, October 5, 2007
Friday Evening....October 5th
Well...it's over....34 days of radiation.....
Then we learned that the effects of a radiation session are felt at maximum 3 days after the session....duh....now it makes sense why Linda felt at her worst last weekend....not on Friday....Saturday....or Sunday....but the following Monday (after last friday's radiation session).
So this Monday is the "peak" and then the "healing begins!".....
Linda got a certificate today for her "efforts" in radiation......
What now?
Linda is back in for a meeting with the Radiation Oncologist in two weeks to assess her healing and progress.....then, as mentioned earlier, she does a scan on the 29th and a meeting with the Medical Oncologist on the 30th. We guess at that time, next steps will be laid out.
What else? The nutritionist thinks Linda's "mystery pain" is the tannin in the tea she is drinking to get her daily liquid minimums.....Linda only uses a very weak tea but that's the thought....the nutritionist recommended a blend of banana and juice taken orally in small amounts to take care of that problem and some others....Linda though found the blend painful to her esophagitis...as well as warm juice alone....so we are trying to figure this all out.
Linda's temperature dropped last night as quickly as it went up....and didn't get close to the "concerned temperature".
I think I mentioned Linda got a quilt from the Cancer Center as a gift from the Crook County quilter's society.....it is blue with hearts....Linda is having her nurses and caregivers sign it within the hearts...and then she will hang it as a reminder of the many, many caring people who took care of her.
I am struck by the fact that Linda served on the board of the American Cancer Society in Salem years ago......worked on items for the Assistance League of Bend for cancer patients and crocheted prayer shawls for Nativity Luthern Church for cancer and other ill patients....and now she has received a prayer shawl and a quilt as gifts from others helping cancer patients...."what goes around...comes around"....Dave
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thursday Evening......October 4th
Today Linda completed her 33rd day of radiation...one more to go......
It's been a "nagging" day of new symptoms......a small fever tonight which we are watching closely.....a "new" "feeling" in her gut...not a pain but a ?
Linda has continued with the nausea problems today...mostly it is thought from the mix of medications that are being taken with greater frequency. We checked in with the pharmacist today to review the medications taken and also stopped by the Clinic to check for yeast in the mouth (there was none).
We changed the flight to Mexico from next Monday to Wednesday and reviewed procedures with the airline should Linda not be able to go or need to come back early...it is still too soon for her to tell if she can go......it is her call.
Dave
It's been a "nagging" day of new symptoms......a small fever tonight which we are watching closely.....a "new" "feeling" in her gut...not a pain but a ?
Linda has continued with the nausea problems today...mostly it is thought from the mix of medications that are being taken with greater frequency. We checked in with the pharmacist today to review the medications taken and also stopped by the Clinic to check for yeast in the mouth (there was none).
We changed the flight to Mexico from next Monday to Wednesday and reviewed procedures with the airline should Linda not be able to go or need to come back early...it is still too soon for her to tell if she can go......it is her call.
Dave
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wednesday Evening......October 3rd
2 radiations to go.........
Linda is bearing up pretty well...the pain is starting to creep up.....on the scale used (1 being the least and 10 the most), she is starting to feel the 7's and 8's......the doctor has increased her Phentanyl patch strength and she is taking the oxycodone pain medication every couple of hours now. Linda was experiencing nausea with the pain medication as it's use increased....the pharmacist today said that was to be expected and said the use of the nausea medication prior to the pain medication was the right thing we were doing.
More tomorrow....
Dave
Linda is bearing up pretty well...the pain is starting to creep up.....on the scale used (1 being the least and 10 the most), she is starting to feel the 7's and 8's......the doctor has increased her Phentanyl patch strength and she is taking the oxycodone pain medication every couple of hours now. Linda was experiencing nausea with the pain medication as it's use increased....the pharmacist today said that was to be expected and said the use of the nausea medication prior to the pain medication was the right thing we were doing.
More tomorrow....
Dave
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Tuesday Evening...October 2nd
1 more radiation session done...3 to go....
More importantly, we met with the "big dude" today.....Mr. Medical Oncologist himself......Dr. Kornfeld has been in Europe for three weeks but today was the big meeting...we learned:
1. Linda will now have 4 weeks off (after Friday's last session)....she will met with him again on October 30th to determine the next steps.
2. Linda will have a CT scan on October 29th to determine the status of the tumors, etc..
3. The scan and the meeting with the Oncologist will determine nest steps.....it makes sense now why things were a bit evasive to this point about the "next steps"...although we were told "this and that" will happen in the beginning.
4. Linda's Fentanyl patch as been doubled in strength to ease her pain...and it seems to be working...when the stronger patch was put on her earlier she had much nausea...this time they think they have"worked her" onto the stronger medication...by starting with a smaller dose.
Linda is also getting the tube feeding handled and drinking the water requirements. With three days to go, our hope is that Linda can maintain ........she sure has the attitude.
Regarding Mexico.....Jim and Jenn are getting married in Mexico a week from this Thursday. We were scheduled to fly out next Monday morning for Mexico and return the following Sunday. This trip has always been in the backs of our minds..especially with the delays along the way...any "cushion of time" was being removed.
This trip was discussed with the Doctor today...there is nothing medically to prevent Linda from going..IT is all about how she feels. She wants to go badly....it is important to her....as the Doctor said.."she will decide" and "it is too early for her to know if she can go".
With that in mind, we are (for sure) backing our departure off until the day before the wedding...to give her some more time...
Linda asked about the feeding tube.....the Doctor said "she will know when it's ready to come out"....most likely it will be a week or two after this Friday. Linda will start to drink and eat nourishments and then when she can maintain her calories that way..the tube can come out....
That's about what we know today.
Dave
More importantly, we met with the "big dude" today.....Mr. Medical Oncologist himself......Dr. Kornfeld has been in Europe for three weeks but today was the big meeting...we learned:
1. Linda will now have 4 weeks off (after Friday's last session)....she will met with him again on October 30th to determine the next steps.
2. Linda will have a CT scan on October 29th to determine the status of the tumors, etc..
3. The scan and the meeting with the Oncologist will determine nest steps.....it makes sense now why things were a bit evasive to this point about the "next steps"...although we were told "this and that" will happen in the beginning.
4. Linda's Fentanyl patch as been doubled in strength to ease her pain...and it seems to be working...when the stronger patch was put on her earlier she had much nausea...this time they think they have"worked her" onto the stronger medication...by starting with a smaller dose.
Linda is also getting the tube feeding handled and drinking the water requirements. With three days to go, our hope is that Linda can maintain ........she sure has the attitude.
Regarding Mexico.....Jim and Jenn are getting married in Mexico a week from this Thursday. We were scheduled to fly out next Monday morning for Mexico and return the following Sunday. This trip has always been in the backs of our minds..especially with the delays along the way...any "cushion of time" was being removed.
This trip was discussed with the Doctor today...there is nothing medically to prevent Linda from going..IT is all about how she feels. She wants to go badly....it is important to her....as the Doctor said.."she will decide" and "it is too early for her to know if she can go".
With that in mind, we are (for sure) backing our departure off until the day before the wedding...to give her some more time...
Linda asked about the feeding tube.....the Doctor said "she will know when it's ready to come out"....most likely it will be a week or two after this Friday. Linda will start to drink and eat nourishments and then when she can maintain her calories that way..the tube can come out....
That's about what we know today.
Dave
Monday, October 1, 2007
Monday Night...October 1st
1 more radiation session down...4 to go.....
Linda did another session today...Sister in law LaVelle went along as well. I also got a replacement feeding meter to make sure no troubles there....
Linda is holding her own with some more pain in the esophagus as well as other increasing side effects....we started the hormone repalcement program today which had stopped as a result of the inability to swallow pills....getting medications in "patches" and liquid form helps a lot.
The key is to keep her active to the extent she can and "push though" to the end of things.
No decisions have been made on the Mexico trip yet..we were supposed to leave next Monday for 7 days with the Jim/Jenn Mexican wedding a week from this Thursday. Now it seems we will fly out a week from wenesday or not at all.....we shall see....
These were pictures from a Windjammer cruise we took to the Grenadines last fall...we just cancelled out on this year's trip because of the pending treatment schedule....these will serve as our reminder of past good times...with more coming to us...but not right away.
Linda did another session today...Sister in law LaVelle went along as well. I also got a replacement feeding meter to make sure no troubles there....
Linda is holding her own with some more pain in the esophagus as well as other increasing side effects....we started the hormone repalcement program today which had stopped as a result of the inability to swallow pills....getting medications in "patches" and liquid form helps a lot.
The key is to keep her active to the extent she can and "push though" to the end of things.
No decisions have been made on the Mexico trip yet..we were supposed to leave next Monday for 7 days with the Jim/Jenn Mexican wedding a week from this Thursday. Now it seems we will fly out a week from wenesday or not at all.....we shall see....
These were pictures from a Windjammer cruise we took to the Grenadines last fall...we just cancelled out on this year's trip because of the pending treatment schedule....these will serve as our reminder of past good times...with more coming to us...but not right away.
Dave
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