janetg

Friday night in ER, eh? At least Ron was kind enough to hold off until 3:00 am. I had been out for the evening indulging and thought at that time of the night that Ron just wasn't breathing right or able to sleep properly. So off we go. I'm apologizing to the nurses and the ER doctor because I think it must be apparent that I'd had one too many. My only saving grace is that I had consumed the alcohol at a fundraiser for the neonatal unit at our regional hospital. The nurses were actually great. So other than this past Friday we've spent several in a row at the hospital. You guys just want to ruin our weekends. I really enjoyed your story even though you weren't enjoying what was happening at the time. Friday past Ron enjoyed a warm bath with applications of "Goo Gone" to remove the adhesive from his body. He looked like he'd been attacked. Getting in and out of the bathtub was a feat in itself. I used a little spa treatment - the hot towel wrapped around his face and the hand massage he loved. We finished the treat night with me sitting beside him on the bed , he with a glass of boost (ensure) and we with a cold glass of Coli Albani. There are some rewards for the caregiver too. Glad things are looking better. Janet

Prayers and good vibes are being sent your way. I think it's safe to assume that both of you have the wear with all to beat this thing. Hang in there. Better days are ahead. Janet

Today looks like it's going to be a much better day! Ron ate well this morning and actually tested the food. I love to hear when he'e enjoying "something." He had a good day yesterday - his brother took him for a little drive by the water where he puts his boat in the summertime. It's only 10 minutes from here. He had a "mega" cry yesterday when I got home from work. He says he mad at the cancer and he's not going anywhere until he decides. He feels that he's now getting stronger and ready to fight. Today he's going to get his drivers license renewed. It expired during the time he was in the hospital. He wants the picture done before he loses his hair and beard etc. next week. His friends from his little band were over last night and had a great time ribbing him - they say he'll look like Buddha when the hairs comes out. I still think he'll be the best looking guy in the world. Here's to a great weekend for everyone. Janet

Good morning, Ron finally had several hours of sleep in a row. He slept for approximately 5 hours. The only problem he had was that he was dreaming that he was on American Idol and all the Idol contestants were in bed with him! This morning he was able to eat a little and in fact ate well yesterday for the first time since the treatment last week. He says that he is starting to feel different - like he's gaining strength again!!! He looks much, much better today and even has regained his sense of humour. Maybe this is the beginning of better days ahead. I passed along the advice that you guys had given and he was really interested in hearing what everyone had to say. Previously, I didn't talk too much about my involvement in seeking advice from the board because he hates to hear of other people going through hard times. Now I'm mentioning that Stand4Hope said, JAK said, Fay said, Addie said, the 2 Dons said, Cindi said etc. (sorry that I haven't listed all your names but you get the gist)..... and he's really paying attention. He seems to be welcoming the advice from all of you. You guys are the best. You've given me so much more than you'll ever know to work with in the this fight. Hope everyone has a great day and nothing but good news. Janet

Hi again and thanks for the suggestions. I'll certainly follow up. I laughed at Cindy's post - at this point I would like to replace "me" with an 80 lb. piece of fluff. No sleep for the patient means no sleep for his buddy, too. I "borrowed" one of his sleeping pills (that don't work for him) Saturday night because I'd been up for almost 26 hours Friday/Saturday because of working, going to a hospital fundraiser (where too much alcohol was consumed) and then to emergency at 3:00 am. After 1 1/2 hours of solid sleep for me Mr. decides asked for another "pillow"!!! I was wiped from the pill but staggered to his side to pass him a third pillow. Of course it wasn't a pillow he wanted. It was pill, no "ow." Duh! That was the end of stealing meds for me!!! But seriously, I do appreciate all of the advice. Thanks, thanks, thanks. Janet

I'm going to check to see if Ambien is called the same thing in Canada. He did say that he had nightmares over the weekend but I don't know if that was when he was taking the Imovane or the morphine. We've been experimenting to try and get it right. He had tried Ativan too. It sounds as if our house is becoming a pharmacy but it's really not. Thanks for the information. Please pray for Ron to sleep. Hope all is continuing to go well in this fight. Janet

It's me again. Ron is having a helluva time with not being able to sleep - he's starting eating finally. He didn't have any nausea from the taxotere - just no appetite. We had to take him to emergency Friday night because the Imovane 7.5mg (he took two within 3 hours) just would not knock him out. The MD in emergency gave him a shot of morphine and that let him sleep for about 5 hours. The a.m. MD gave us a prescription for a morphine derivative (hydrmor...con ?). That's doing absolutely nothing. The pharmacist says it's for pain but will not induce sleep. We have a call into his GP to see if it's safe for him to double up on the Imovane. He was prescribed cipro to attempt to avoid infection since his blood counts are really low. What in the "H" are we going to do? He says that he thinks he can start to bounce back if he could get some damn sleep. Since many of you have similar experiences can you suggest anything? I'm at my wits end and poor Ron is ready to ..... Thanks, Janet

Hi, I was just wondering if any of you who have had treatment with taxotere would give me a little information on your particular side effects, successes etc. that resulted. Ron's treatment will involve at least 6 treatments (if it is determined to be working after 3 treatments) and perhaps even 10. I would appreciate and comments. Thanks so much. Janet

Hi everyone, Ron's back on a medical floor with a 12 inch gash in his chest that's healing amazingly well. He now understands why the nurses kept asking him if he wanted something for pain. He was wondering why they kept on him when he didn't need pain meds. He was surprised to see the size of the incision. We were picturing a little window just big enough to get a tube into drain the fluid around the heart. Boy, what a surprise we all got. He is having his first treatment of taxotere today - one of 6-10 everything three weeks. A check after 3 treatments will be done to see if the chemo is working. The oncologist and lung guy are extremely pleased with Ron's progress. They're actually chuckling when they see him and can't believe the progress he's made in one week since he visited death's door. His weight before entering the OR last Saturday was 258 - he was about 240 before he began his diet, walking etc. one week earlier. He now weights 222. Between the removal of fluid and not eating a whole lot for over a week and maybe the ca he's lost 36 lbs! He was in pretty good cheer today when I saw him at lunchtime. I'm heading back up this evening - hopefully he tolerated the treatment pretty well. He should be released from hospital within two to three days. Thanks for the prayers that have gotten him back to the point that the doctors are not writing him off. His oncologist never did, but was very, very concerned about the additional complications that had developed over such a short period of time. He's back and going to fight. He wants to get another summer of boating in at least!!!! Janet

Hi all, Just came from the hospital - Ron has had the catheter removed (he wouldn't go to sleep last night just in case he missed the doctor) and the tube which was draining the fluid from the pericardium. He's now able to get in and out bed on his own and has started to eat normally (or what might be abnormally for some - too much). The dietician is having to chat with him about what better choices to make - he's diabetes counts are way out of whack (19.7 - normal is 5-7). So that's it for the chocolate milk!!! He has seen his oncologist but I haven't been there at the time. Therefore, I don't know if all samples of fluid (pleural effusion from R lung and fluid from pericardial effusion)and biopsy of tissue from pericardium show malignancy but I do know the expectation for the beginning of treatment is within four or five days. Ron could be sent to a medical floor now but there aren't any beds available. We're pleased with his status at this point. Have to run to deal with the public - the work thing is really interfering with the crisis! Thanks for keeping up in your prayers. Janet

Hi, We had quite a weekend to say the least. Ron never did get to see the surgeon on Friday. On Friday night the lung specialist was called in and he bleakly told Ron and the rest of the family that things were not good at all and that is prognosis was poor. Ron, at that point, was placed on 100% oxygen and still couldn't breathe. The lungs were determined to be fine since the 1000 ml of fluid was drained on Thursday. He asked Ron to make the decision as to whether he wanted to be hooked up to a respirator should things continue to deteriorate. We were all in shock and crying uncontrollably - Ron wasn't crying - he just kept staring at the doctor as if to say "four-letter-word you." He's thinking - don't you know that I'm heading back into chemo to take care of this?? He spent a horrendous night on Friday and still no surgeon to drain the fluid that the oncologist wanted gone since Thursday. On Saturday morning, Ron's niece Carol (RN, CCU), was able to grab the best cardiologist from her unit to come up to the medical floor to see her "favorite" uncle. The cardiologist came down the hall within minutes with the portable cardiac ultrasound in tow. Within 5 minutes he determined that Ron had approximately 2800ccs of fluid in his pericardial sac. Boy, was he angry - first he told the Ron's nurse to get the surgeon on call now. Then he began flailing his arms telling Carol to get him to ICU - that Ron was too sick to be on this floor. This guy is incredible - He was really p>>>>>d off that Ron was left in this state without intervention. It was also determined that Ron was in renal failure by this time. Within two hours the pericardial window was in place and 1800ccs of fluid were drained. His kidneys began to function almost immediately after the procedure began. They kept him on the ventilator overnight (Saturday) to give his body a rest. He's sitting up today, still tired from the meds they've been zapping him with and cranky. Cranky is a good sign. He says the nurses are "mean" and that he doesn't love any of us. He's got tubes coming from his chest and a catheter in and IV with antibiotics. I'm heading back up to see him now. He's such a strong guy. All medical staff are pleased with his progress - hard to think that he would have died through the night Saturday had the procedure not been done. God was with us on Saturday - we had the best cardiolgist, the best surgeon and the best oncologist. His oncologist popped in to see him early Sunday morning - he was so upset that he had been away for two days. He thought that Ron would have had the procedure over and done with long before we reached the danger zone. Ron will be kept in ICU for the remainder of the week. The hope is that he will be strong enough to start chemo next week. The fat lady is really trying to sing the blues Ron's still trying to shut her up. Thanks again and again and again for the good vibes and prayers. Janet

I saw Ron at lunchtime and I'm told by nursing staff that there has been a call made by Ron's oncologist to have a surgeon in to see Ron for the fluid around his heart. He's in a lot of distress but no one has come in yet - they're in the OR I guess. I spoke with Ron's neice who works in the cardiac care unit - she's pretty, pretty emotional over all of this - is asking if he has things in order etc. etc. This has thrown me for a loop - Has anyone had this procedure done and then just continued on with the usual treatment and ups and downs like those caused by "normal" lung cancer diagnosis? I don't know if Carol's particularly upset because it's her favorite uncle or if she is seeing the signs that big, big trouble is imminent. She has not seen his records. I'm so panicked. I'm awaiting for my last client to arrive so I can get right back up to the hospital. I want to be there when the surgeon comes in. If any of you read this posting in the next little while I'd appreciate your comments and knowledge. Thanks, Janet

Hi, Ron met with his oncologist last night with scan results. There's evidence of fluid in both lungs and around the heart. He's having the fluid drained and analyzed today with the expectation that the chance of it being benigh pretty much zero. The plan following confirmation is to start chemo using taxtotere. This will begin Friday or early next week. Ron's handling the news quite well - is already pegged as the "comedian patient." He wants to go back into the fight head on and has no desire to stop doing what he normally does - sing, play guitar and drive his boat this summer. This is his down time for work so he's pretty much free and clear to have fun. He has been very lucky to have had a pretty decent life since the diagnosis last March and we'll continue to be thankful for each and every day. Thanks for your concern and prayers - they mean so much. He's still pretty adamant that he will not give up until the fat lady sings the blues. So for now he's bringing the "animal" back to take on the little beast. Thanks for having been so helpful - this site has been a godsend for me through these last several months. Janet

Hi, Ron was admitted to hospital yesterday after visiting the emergency department with extreme SOB. He had seen his onc. on Monday and at that time we requested an abdominal cscan ASAP with many cuts to interstitial area. Lung SATS were 96. When he was trying to breath his whole abdomen would move. This continued through Monday night and appeared even to worsen on Tuesday am. Ron's son took him to emergency yesterday and he was admitted after chest xrays, blood work etc. He was give IV with steroids and hooked up to oxygen. His breathing was less stressed when I left him at 10:20 last night. The MD said that a catscan would be completed today. In meantime, central booking called to give him his appointment for tomorrow (that was for the detailed scan that the onc. wants ASAP). Will the catscan today be the same as the one the onc. wanted? The one he usually has is done with gastagraphin - he has to fast from midnight and drink the mix. I'm leaving work now to go back up to the hospital to see if we've made any progression. One part of me is so afraid that we're in big trouble and the more logical side thinks no way could cancer rear its ugly head this way over a period of several days. I hope the logical part is right. Please pray for us - we will battle this whatever the results. We're really thankful for the wonderful (almost 13 months) we've had even with the chemo, radiation and numerous scans etc. and we're more than willing to fight again. I'll update when I get a little more to go on. Thanks for listening. Janet

Hi, Ron was in to see his oncologist yesterday for the breathing problems he started with only last Wednesday. An abdominal and chest catscan have been ordered - we hope to have that done within two or three days. His lungs sound good and SATS are 96. The worry as per the onc. is that there may be cancer in the interstitial area. If that's the case, has anyone gone through this? Ron is having a helluva time when he walks up a flight of stairs. Even at rest his breathing is rapid and he "wheezes". When he is sleeping his stomach seems to "spasm" when he's breathing inward. We're so scared. This time last week he was on top of the world. If anyone can offer some information or advice I'd really appreciate it. Janet

Hi, I haven't been here to check on everyone's progress with any regularity because my dad's been in hospital for 3 weeks and trips to see him are many. My work stuff has not been under control since his admission so I wasn't able to sneak a peek at the postings for sometime. I really should have a PC at home. I've been thinking of all of you and hoping and praying that everyone is "hangin' in." We did celebrate Ron's 1 year anniversary on March 29. He has been doing well although during the last few days he's been having trouble breathing - MD in emerg thinks it may be infection after doing xray. He has had a sore hip for sometime so a bone scan, MRI, and catscan have been done. No definitive answer that cancer's present, although there is a "hotspot." His abdomen appears to be quite swollen and that was one of the signs that indicated trouble last year. The (ascites) fluid disappeared after 3 months of chemo. He is very anxious and worried so I slipped him an Ativan this morning. I'm hoping he sleeps for a few hours. Thankfully, he sees the oncologist on Monday. We may be going back into battle but we will fight the fight should that be the case. My dad was admitted to hospital with pneumonia but he also has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Unfortunately, we have been forced to apply for Long Term Care so he won't be coming home. This has been tough to deal with, too. It was so nice to read some of the "upbeat" postings from all of you who have had so "much more" on your plates. Love and prayers to all of you. Without knowing it you've given me some "happy" thoughts during a particularly sad time. I admire the strength of all of the survivors and family members who post on this board. I sorta feel like a "whimp" when I see that others have so much more to work through. Janet

We head off today to see Ron's oncologist for the results of his MRI. Our appointment is 3:15 pm Atlantic Standard Time. It's now 11:20 am where we live so I'm not sure where that puts me in relation to your time zones. I think it's probably 1 to 2 hours in the difference. Please send some prayers up to the big guy (or big gal) for Ron. I know it does make a difference. It's very sunny here today with beautiful blue skies so it must be a good sign. We are hovering though at the freezing point with a bit of the white stuff still adorning the ground. I won't be back at work today because we hope to be CELEBRATING after Ron's appointment. Thanks for any good vibes you can send along. Janet

David & Karen, Have you ever considered doing a movie - you're becoming superheroes!! Good luck with the treatment - glad to hear that you're going back in the ring again - Knock em out!! Janet

Happy Birthday, Lucie!!! Hope you had a wonderful day. Janet

Sharon, In my opinion, you certainly did not kill your dad - you gave him eternal life in heaven without pain. I would not want to see someone I loved suffer any more than they had to. You did the most humane thing a daughter could do. I would much rather see my dad slip away comfortably than to watch him suffer without any quality of life. I would not feel guilty about it. And my dad would not want it either. Take comfort in the fact that you were there for your dad through thick and thin. I'm sure he's looking down and smiling at his beautiful daughter, thankful for everything you've done for him and is as proud as any father would be of a daughter. Janet

Hi David and Karen, Congratulations on finally getting some well deserved good news. Hope you're successful in selling the hacienda!! I love the new picture, too!! God Bless all of you. Janet

Hi Frank, God, it's good to see you back. You're a power to be reckoned with - wishing you the best with treatment. Janet

Both of you are in my thoughts and prayers as I remember full well the early days of the the horrible diagnosis. It does get much, much better. Try to have a little laugh everyday. It really helps. Keep the faith. God is listening. Take care. Janet

Me 11, I wanted to be a 10 but I guess that's out of the question. I've been waiting for your return too. Please get in touch. I'm getting laryngytis from praying out loud for too, too long. This board is missing your good advice and humour. Janet

Hi CharlieD, You deserve more than one stiff one. Do you mind if I have one to celebrate for you too? Your news is great, great, great!! Keep up the good work. Janet