Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Wednesday....September 22nd...2010

Big..big day today...

First..the computer is still in the computer hospital...in fact I am using their computer....2 more days they say...

Now about Linda....

We went to OHSU....and saw a nurse practitioner as Doctor Sandler is only in on Thursdays...Linda has been feeling weak and coughs a lot and wheezes..and...and...

Anyway....the wheezing and coughing are not due to anything in her lungs....it is some respiratory issue in her trachea...so she is now going to be on a inhaler to assist in opening the airway....

Her blood counts, oxygen levels and lung Xray were all good (the Xray showed no major change since the last scan)...the right upper lobe still remains somewhat collapsed due to the primary tumor but that was there on the last scan and doesn't affect the O2 consumption....it may be affecting the way she is breathing ...using more muscles etc to breathe so the pleuritic pain increase, etc...so Linda is practicing some deeper breathing.

Linda did not use the Ambien to assist in her sleep last night after three nights of moaning and talking in her sleep..which I believe affects her the next day..tired..run down etc. Last night ..no Ambien..she snored like a freight train...

There is a new nurse handling Dr. Sandler's patients.. Karen..she understood clearly the "what now?".."where do we go from here?"...concerns we had with the failure of the Tarceva...sooooooo....Monday ....October 4th...we go back in..to meet with Dr. Sandler...to receive at least part of the pathology report on the mutations and to develop a "plan of action"...Linda will also get a Zometa (bone builder )infusion.....and then to meet with Dr. Shepard to do the pre screening for the Ostomy "take down"...

The new nurse "coordinator" Karen is calling Friday to update Linda on everything....and "check in" with Linda...we feel muchg more secure now..felt as if we were in "limbo land"..now we have a good update and link...

We are still working on many small things in the house and also working on some paper work we have put off...

Thanks for the many BLOG comments..they mean a lot....many pictures coming when we get the computer back...

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is all such good news. Thank you for posting. I'm no doctor or anything close to it but I've sure heard a lot of strange reactions to Ambien. As in hallucinations, etc. If that's happening, even while you don't know it because you THINK you are asleep, it could really wreck your rest. I prescribe a shot of straight scotch instead. Well, maybe not if the docs don't agree.
Marjorie

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear you have an advocate that will keep you informed. Good nurses make a huge difference. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new digs. I hated taking Ambien too. I felt sluggish and had very bad dreams. I found once I stopped worrying about not sleeping I slept better. If I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep I got up and watched TV or read instead of laying there thinking about not sleeping.

Thinking positive thoughts for both you and Dave.

Carol Brown Fields

Glen and Sibyll said...

Great news, Linda!
Must be comforting to know that the wheezing has a less severe medical reason ... you had me worried last week! Ambien and all those sleep-aids are said to give you the false impression of sleep, and that one really doesen't rest and restore as with the usual sleep stages. I suppose it's better to get a few hour less but better (natural) sleep, if possible. Hope, you can do without that "aid" in the future! Mostly, we hope you will get an answer soon on the pathology so you can go to battle with "new and improved" ammunition ... you are such a fighter! God be with you!
Our hopes and prayers always are,
with love, Glen & Sibyll

Anonymous said...

So, snoring like a freight train is a compliment, is that what you said Dave? Ok, we can get there.

Keep snoring Linda - You need the rest! :)

Love you,
Mary

Anonymous said...

Snoring is music to our ears Linda Lou! We could have a pajama party and form a chorus. Love ya, Ginnie

Anonymous said...

Red wine helps you sleep and is good for your blood. Red blood cells I believe..when my Dad was in the hospital/rehab his Dr. allowed him to drink a small glass of red wine every night with his dinner.Relaxing to have a little nite cap before going to bed! Rest is good for body and mind :) Kay