mscyn4u Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Good Morning and hello everyone. I came home from the hospital today for a break, my husband has a lot things going on and he is not handling them well. The oncologist says the final pathology report indicates the tumor was Stage IIA, the lymph nodes surrounding the tumor were clear however, a lymph node attached to the tumor was positive, the membrane removed from the fluid around his heart was also negative. He has heart issues going now and they are concerned there may be some slight blockage. They want to do a stress test, but it has to take place once he is recovered from the lobectomy. He has been given a nitro-glycerine patch on his leg, and some other meds to dialate the blood vessels. He is still draining from the chest tubes and his legs and feet are swollen tremendously. He has fluid in the lungs and says he has trouble breathing. He won't cough like he should and when I try to get him to do his breathing exercises in the apparatus he gets this look, like will you leave me alone!!! and says he will do them when it doesn't hurt. He is very irritable and keeps a fan going in the room and I freeze while in there visiting, he claims he cannot breathe without it. The nurses have turned up the oxygen and I see no signs of distress, nor do the lung specialist indicate there is a medical reason for his shortness of breath. I am beginning to wonder if it is all anxiety produced. I left the hospital last night around 9 am after being there for 12 hours. At 11:30 p.m, he called me back saying he could not breathe and because we live 5 minutes away, I go up there and he seems to be breathing fine. The nurses were busy with a person that "coded" in the room next to Rob's but he felt like they didn't care if he could breath or not. He wants me there around the clock because he feels like he might go to sleep and not be able to breath. This is wearing me out. Does any one have any suggestions. I told the night nurse before I left at 1 a.m in the morning that maybe they should talk to the doctor about some type of anxiety reducing meds or something to help him sleep at night. I don't get enough rest being there all night and all day. I need to come home to recoup. He hurt his sisters' feelings while she was here from out of town this weekend and daily he is barking orders at me like I work there. He has turned into a tyrant and he says something to the effect like "Can anyone understand I am sick here?" Does that give someone the right to treat their loved ones in such a harsh way. I am at my wits end and I am not going back until later this afternoon, so I can figure out how to help him and remain sane!!! Please give me some suggestions I thank you all in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Hi there! I am sorry you and your husband have to go through such a terrible time right now. This disease is so hard on everyone (even you!) and he may be having trouble with the stress and the very thought of having lung cancer. Patience will be your angel believe me and listening to him through every complaint and keeping on the doctors to make sure he is comfortable. I found from experience that if he feels he is not breathing well, he very may not be able to and I would discuss that with his doctor. If he is under stress or anxious it can cause othe symptoms to feel even worse. Panic attacks are terrible, my husband took Ativan to help calm him and his breathing was better even though he was on oxygen. I wish you brightest blessings and strength during this time and keep up positive attitudes to fight this and your husband having Ativan or another stress reducing drug is not something that would interfer with his treatment. I would discuss this with his doctor, it would help both of you very much. My thoughts are with you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norme Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 HI, WHEN MY HUSBAND HAD HIS LEFT LUNG REMOVED, PAIN MEDS CAUSED HIM SHORTNESS OF BREATH. THAT WAS A SIDE EFFECT OF THE PAIN MED. CK WITH HIS DR OR PHARMACIST AND SEE IF IT COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. IT IS SO HARD SOMETIMES BEING A CAREGIVER. WE MUST TAKE A LOT IN STRIDE. WHEN YOU THINK HE IS BEING TO HARD FOR NO REASON THEN STEP INTO THE CONVERSATION AND TELL HIM IF HE WANTS YOUR HELP, THEN HE MUST STOP YELLING AND BARKING. I KNOW WHEN I FEEL BAD I PROBABLY BARK SOME TOO. GOB BLESS US ALL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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