Frustrated and Scared

[peebygeeby]

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

[SandraL]

Hi Gail. I can understand your frustration. But I bet there are many other survivors out there who have gotten through similar and got off oxygen etc. So you need to be hopeful about that possible outcome and not dwell so much right now on what if that doesn't happen. Hard to do I know. My husband couldn't walk and needed a scooter for 2 years and I often thought what if he is like this for the rest of his life. He is walking just fine today! I agree with you about the wisdom of giving chemo right now. I would definitely explore that further with the doc, and ignore the noncommittal answers about the oxygen. Take care during this difficult time

Sandra

[Larry's Wife]

(((Gail))) Continued prayers for healing.

Lynn

[deb10653]

Hang in there Gail. I struggle with these "quality vs quantity" of life issues daily right now also but must trust the physician who has experienced so much more with this disease than I. Keep thinking positive and that better days are ahead, I know it is hard and at times so frustrating but it is important. I hope your discussion with the onc on Friday will maybe ease the worry a bit. My prayers are with you and Hank!

Deb

[Patti B]

Hi Gail-

Sorry to hear that Hank is still feeling poorly.

I had written to you in your original post that I had been hospitalized in 2/07 with pneumonia, on oxygen only in hospital, went home on 2/9 and had chemo on 2/14 (great way to spend Valentines Day). The difference could have been that I went home with antibiotics that I had to take for two weeks.

Dr. West is right that sometimes pneumonia can take a long time to get over. I have been having bouts of pneumonia for years, and sometimes I would continue to be sick for quite a while afterwards, and that was before I had LC.

I hope that your chat with your doc on Friday is productive. I am sure that if you are terribly reluctant about a chemo so soon that they would be willing to postpone by myabe a week. You might want to ask for a follow-up x-ray to make sure that no remaining pneumonia is still lthere.

Best of luck to you and Hank.

Hugs - Patti B.