peebygeeby

Hi Deb, I'm sorry Dave is having so much trouble. Believe me, I know exactly how you're feeling. Hank just had his first Alimta treatment this passed Saturday. He has had no side effects from it at all. In fact, he was wondering if they actually gave it to him. I know it's to early to say that he will not have any side effects from it ever, or if it will work. Only you, Dave and your doctors can determine what your next move will be. I just wanted to tell you what our experience has been so far. Wishing you all the best, Gail

Hey everybody, Thanks for your good thoughts and prayers. I got a phone call from Hank a short time ago. The pulmonologist was in to see him after I left the hospital today. I wish I would have been there to hear this conversation, but unfortunately I had already left. The new plan, along with Alimta is a different type of antibiotic (apparently he is building up a resistance) along with some other sort of breathing execises, and in Hanks words "pounding on his chest and back" Told ya, wish I would have been there to hear this conversation. Hank has never been very good at articulating to me things that his doctors have told him. Anyway, at least there is some sort of new plan in action. We really need for something positive to happen at this point. It does'nt have to be dramatic, just a move in the right direction. We are both feeling scared and defeated. Something good, PLEASE!!! Thanx guys, Gail

Hi everybody, Hav'nt had much to say lately so I hav'nt been here posting. Feeling down hearted and have all but given up hope. Hank remains in the hospital. We thought that maybe he would be able to come home today or tomorrow, but his breathing is still bad, so he's still there. The doctors still are not sure whether they are seeing pneumonia, spreading cancer or both in his lung. They are certain that they now do see cancer in his liver. They gave him his first treatment of Alimta in the hospital on Saturday. He has tolerated it very well, with no side effects at this point. I just hope it will do some good. He is still being treated with antibiotics and is on oxygen 24/7. That's all for now. All the best, Gail

Hi everybody, An update on the current situation. Hank remains in the hospital. The anitbiotics and steroids have done little to improve the situation. Spoke to his oncologist today. Latest scans reveal (infiltrates). The doctor believes that this may be a worsening of the cancer. He wants to try a different chemo on Hank and see if we can get some results and improvement from it. We really have no other options. Hank had a really bad day today, as did I. Last night they moved him from a really beautiful private room to a semi private room where they were supposed to be able to monitor his breathing more closely. An hour before I arrived at the hospital the elderly gentleman in the next bed passed away. He was still there when I got there, and then his family arrived. My heart went out to them, but Hank and I really did not need to be exposed to this at this point. I told his doctor that I wanted Hank returned to the private room, and they will do that for us. After leaving the hospital today, I went to the funeral home in town here, to make arrangements. I do hope that something will help Hank at this point. But, I am a realist, and I believe in being prepared. I hope that things will somehow work out, but I have little optimism that they will. The wear and tear of the daily trips to the hospital is taking it's toll. I want to be there to keep him company and know whats going on, but I can"t stand being there. When I come home, it's lonely, and I start thinking that he may never be here again. Then, I am compelled to run back to the hospital I am keeping my visits at the hospital relatively short. A couple of hours a day. I think I'm being selfish, but it's also self preservation. That's all folks! Thanks for listening, Gail

Hi everybody, After having Hank home for five days he was admitted to the hospital again yesterday. I called his oncologist yesterday afternoon and told him that he just can't breath. The doctor told me that we had to get him back to the hospital fast because if the breathing situation becomes any worse he would have to put Hank on a ventilator and if that were the case he probably would not come off of it. So, he back in the hospital on IV antibiotics and IV steroids. Talked to his pulmonologist yesterday. He says that Hanks lungs are so damaged by Emphysema that anything can be aggravating his breathing. He also said that the chemo is naturally reducing his ability to fight off infection and that the chemo is also most likely causing inflammation in his lungs which is reducing his breathing ability. I have a feeling that we are going to have to make a hard choice. Either treat the cancer, or treat the respiratory issues. It's beginning to sound like we're not going to be able to do both. If that turns out to be the case then I suppose the choice will have to be to treat the respiratory issues. Want good would it do to continue treating the cancer and only be able to sit in a chair breathing oxygen? It certainly would'nt be my choice, and I'm sure it won't be Hank's choice either if it comes down to this. At the beginning of this battle there were times when I actually thought that this could be well managed at least for quite a while. Now, I just want him to be able to breathe and continue to enjoy himself with whatever time he has left. Leave the cancer alone, maybe it will progress slowly, and let the man live out the rest of his life enjoying it to the max. Wish I had better news, but this is how it's looking right now. I will keep you posted. All the best, Gail

Hi Denise, I'm sorry Tom had to go through this. No excuses. Totally unacceptable. I for one have no tolerance for anyone for does not do their job properly. Even if it's the guy at the drive through McDonald's. If you can't or don't want to do a job properly, you don't belong there. When it comes to people working in the medical profession, there is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behavior. It needs to be addressed. Hope this does not happen again. All the best, Gail

Hi everybody, Well, it's almost a week now since Hank was released from the hospital from his latest bout with pneumonia. He continues to be on oxygen constantly, and prednisone and nebulizer treatments. Yesterday he thought he was breathing better, today not. I don't know what's going on, and I'm starting to think that the doctors really don't have a clue either. When asked, will his breathing get better, the clearest answer I seem to get from anybody is maybe. I e-mailed Dr. West about this. He says that pneumonia can take much longer than a couple of weeks to clear completely. Anyway, I beginning to think that Hank is going to be spending the rest of his life sitting in a chair breathing oxygen. I'm sad, I'm worried, I'm frustrated. If he could get out and do things for however long he survives with this illness it would be acceptable for him and for me. But this is not acceptable. This sucks. Ocologists appointment is this Friday. First an office visit, then, presumably the fourth chemo treatment. I am going to have to seriously question the doctor about the wisdom of giving him chemo at this point. I don't know, but it makes no sense to me to give him chemo at this point. Not until he's feeling somewhat better. If that's ever going to happen. Thanks for listening, Gail

Hi Bruce, Sorry to hear about the position you're in. I would never offer advice on such a thing, but I do think that I know what I would do if I were you. I think that I would give it at least a few more days to see if things will turn around. If one of your doctor's feel that, that may be the case, I would want to hold off and see what happens at least for a little while. This is a decision that you are going to have to live with, be cautious, you will not want to live with regrets about this. As far as dealing with the relatives that have just crawled out of the woodwork. I would ignore their wishes. They have played no role in the care of this relative, they should have no say in what happens now. Just my opinion. Hope it helps. I wish you all the best, Gail

Hi everybody, For any of you who have been following Hank's journey, you know that he has had some complications since his diagnosis in February. He originally had pneumonia in February, when he was diagnosed. We assume this was successfully treated, but then again, maybe not. He then developed a blood clot which was successfully treated. Then, a couple of weeks ago he was admitted to the hospital again with pneumonia. He was released from the hospital on Thursday, and was sent home to further recouperate. He continues to have SOB, coughing, etc. He is not on antibiotics at this point. How long can it take for pneumonia to clear up completely? Does anybody know? I'm wondering if his first bout ever completely cleared. Meanwhile, he is scheduled for an office visit with his oncologist Friday morning, and presumably, chemo treatment will follow. I am quite concerned about his having the chemo treatiment if the pneumonia is still in his system. We are also concerned about putting off the chemo treatment for any extended period of time, since he is now a week behind schedule due to his hospitalization. Anyway, any of you who have had experiences of this sort, I'd like to hear from you. Thanks, Gail

Hi Denise, I don't know what you can expect, but I hope Tom deals with this well. Can't believe he continues to work, sounds like a really strong guy. Good luck, Gail

Hi Kelly, Just want to say hello, welcome, and I wish you all the best! Gail

WOW.

Hi Diane, Welcome. Sorry you have a need to be here. There are many fine people participating on this forum who have lots of good info, and will offer you their support in any way that they can. I am relatively new to all this, and have been helped so much by the people that I have found here. About the possible met to the liver you spoke about.... when Hank was initially diagnosed they thought that there was something in his liver. It turned out to be nothing of concern. So, don't panic, wait and see what the treatment plan will be, you will feel more in control then. Then....fight like hell! All the best, Gail

Hey Denise, (((I feel your pain!))) I hope you feel better soon. Gail

Shannon, This is wonderful news!!!!! I am so glad to hear it. It's great for you and your mom, and it also helps to lift the spirits of all of us out here struggling with this lousy disease. Keep the good news coming! all the best, Gail

Hi Eric, I'm so sorry for your loss. It sounds as though your Dad was a great guy. It also sounds as though he has a great son. I wish you peace as you heal from your loss. Gail

Hello everybody, Hank was released from the hospital today. Apparently the pneumonia is taking it's time clearing out completely, but the doctor felt there is no need for him to continue to be hospitalized. I hope that within the next several days we will continue to see further improvement. So, he's happy to be here, I'm happy he is here. (Driving back and forth to that hospital every day is tiring, since it's about an hour drive from here.) Don't know when we're going to get back on treatment schedule, but I'll talk to the doctor tomorrow and find out what the plan is. Thanks everybody, stay tuned! Gail

Hi Linda, Hope your chemo went well. About all I can say is as a caregiver sometimes you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. I would never do anything to hurt Hank, but this is all new to both of us, we're learning how to deal with it and with each other in this new situation. Also, humor is a natural response to relieving tension. I have found that at many times in my life that were stressful, I tend to say things that in a normal situation would be pretty funny. It's the wrong time for it, but it's an attempt to try and lighten up a bad situation. Wishing you and Stu all the best, Gail

Hi Carol, Good to meet you. I'm pretty new to this whole LC thing, but Ernie's story was the first thing I spotted when I first came online looking for support. All I can say is WOW. What an inspiration he is. I hope he's doing better now. All the best, Gail

Hi Cathy, Glad you found us. Welcome. Gail

Hi there, Welcome to our group. There are some very wonderful supportive people here who are ready and willing to answer your questions and help you along here in this journey. Many of them are long time survivors. Why can't your Dad be one of them? I wish you all the best, Gail

Thanks guys. Gail

Hi everybody, hope you had a good weekend. I took a day for myself and went to visit an old friend. A day off from the hospital that is. It was nice. Hank is still in the hospital, since last Wednesday. The Pneumonia is clearing but it is taking it's time to do so. Meanwhile, Hanks spirits seemed really pretty down today. He wants out of the hospital, but does'nt want to leave until they're absolutely positive the pneumonia is gone. He's concerned about falling behind in his treatment schedule as well. This past Friday would have been his fourth treatment, but now it's going to have to wait until he's recouped enough to handle it. We talked today somewhat about his feelings about this whole situation, and at this point, I think he's resolved to the idea that this is not going to turn out well. To that I said, we have to remain positive and move forward. But, this is so hard. I am also having the same thoughts. One day positive. the next defeated. Our emotions and thoughts are in a state of constant change. Back and forth. It's exhausting. I'm hoping that he will be released from the hospital soon. That in itself will make him feel better. But I am really hoping that when he is released from the hospital he will actually be better and continue to get stronger. Oh well, just want to drop in, say hello, and vent a little. Thanks. Gail

Hi Denise, Wonderful news! Keep it coming. As has already been said. Don't worry till it's time to worry. It serves no constructive function and will only wear you down. (try really hard to keep that in mind.) Hope you're having a good weekend. Gail

Hi Kristi, My heart goes out to you. Both of my parents were also ill at the same time. My Dad had neck cancer, my mom had Parkinson's Disease, and both had senile dementia to one extent or another. Fortunately, both of my parents had long term health insurance policies which more or less covered the expense of having in home health aides for them. So, luckily, I was not in the position of having to be there as caregiver 24/7. I was there pretty much every day though, seeing to it that things were being taken care of properly, driving them to their doctor's appointments and doing the shopping. I do not know what your parents have in terms of insurance coverage, but if they do have anything in place that you can utilize, definately use it. Also, do not be afraid to ask for the assistance of any relatives or siblings that might be available. This is to much for one person to handle alone, you are going to need help. Find help, and ask for it from anyone who can provide it. I am thinking of you, you can do this, but do not try to do it alone. You have to take care of you to. All the best, Gail