Good Bro Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 Brother had his first clinical trial treatment a little over a week ago. All went pretty smooth with minimal side effects. He had also tested positive for COVID the week prior to his treatment. Couldn't really notice any COVID symptoms that were any different from his normal NSCLC symptoms. Anyway, last night he had an episode of excessive breathing difficulty. O2 level was in the high 70's and so my SiL kicked up his O2 machine a setting or two. Helped some but finally he agreed (by the nod of his head) to call an ambulance. Paramedics were able to stabilize his breathing enough to transport him the additional 15 miles to his main treatment hospital (UofM) instead of going to our local hospital. X-rays, CT scan, bloodwork, etc. etc. etc... and they said he has pneumonia and they put him on a bipap machine. Just waiting on bloodwork results and to see if they can wean him off of the bipap to decide if they will admit him into a normal room or ICU. It is almost one year ago to the date when he was admitted into the same ER with a collapse lung and spent over a month in the hospital through the holidays. God, I hope he doesn't have to go through that again. Tom Galli, LouT, Justin1970 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pstar Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 So sorry your brother is going thru this good bro. I hope they wean him and he doesn’t have to stay so long this time. Prayers. Pam Izzy, LouT, Justin1970 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin1970 Posted December 12, 2022 Share Posted December 12, 2022 I really hope your brother gets through this faster than last year and he starts to feel better, all the best Justin Tom Galli, LouT and Izzy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judy M2 Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 So sorry to hear this. I hope your brother improves quickly. Justin1970, Izzy and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted December 17, 2022 Share Posted December 17, 2022 Prayers for your brother and the family to see improvement soon. Times like this can sure be tough. Lou Izzy, Justin1970 and Tom Galli 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good Bro Posted January 10, 2023 Author Share Posted January 10, 2023 Thought I'd give an update... so, my brother improved enough that the docs felt comfortable sending him home on the 21st so that he could be home for the holidays and beat the big storm that was heading into our area. Well, that was a bad decision. A couple days later (X-mas Eve morning), another extreme breathing difficulty episode. This time O2 levels dropped to 70. He is still at UofM hospital now and not doing too well. They have treated him for pneumonia, other infections, and inflammation. Haven't seen much improvement. He is on the bi-pap 24/7 with settings now as high as they go. Lung docs feel that it is either the cancer or scar tissue in his lungs causing this and gave him days to live. I requested they contact his oncologist and when he came up, he suggested an infusion of Infliximab. It is typically for Chron's disease but he has seen it reduce lung inflammation in patients when the high-dose steroids didn't work. Still waiting to see if that helps at all. However, yesterday morning, he had a scary episode of extremely high resting heart rate. Values over 200bpm. Docs finally got his numbers back to normal (his normal). He has been sleeping ever since and ate nothing yesterday. This is so heartbreaking. Tom Galli, Judy M2, LilyMir and 4 others 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouT Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Good Bro' How heartbreaking it must be for you to see your brother go through this. Is Palliative Care involved? They look to ensure patient comfort (to the best of their ability possible) while the treatment plan is applied. Please keep us updated and know that you, your brother, and family are in our thoughts and prayers. Lou LilyMir and Justin1970 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pstar Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 I’m heartbroken to hear this news about your brother Good Bro. I hope that the infliximab will help his breathing. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you both. Pam Izzy, Justin1970 and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin1970 Posted January 10, 2023 Share Posted January 10, 2023 Hi So sorry to hear your brother is still not well, I really hope he improves on the medication all the best Take care Justin Izzy and LouT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CH29 Posted January 17, 2023 Share Posted January 17, 2023 This is so very similar to what my husband went through. I'm very sorry. It's devastating, watching someone who should be in the prime of their life go through this. Justin1970, Tom Galli and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good Bro Posted January 23, 2023 Author Share Posted January 23, 2023 Brother passed away at 4:30pm on January 12th. Hardest thing I have ever been through, being at his bedside watching him transition. 😢 LouT, CH29, Izzy and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Galli Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Good Bro, I am so very sorry you lost your brother. While being bedside was difficult, it was both comforting and kind. Thank you for supporting your brother's battle to the end. Stay the course. Tom Justin1970, Pstar and LouT 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pstar Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Good bro, So sorry to hear that your brother passed. I hear you with it being the hardest thing you ever had to do. I was there when my mother passed. Although it was hard on you, rest assured that he was glad you were there with him til the end. Sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Pam LouT and Justin1970 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin1970 Posted January 23, 2023 Share Posted January 23, 2023 Good bro I'm so sorry to hear about your brother passing,you were both very lucky to have each other,my thoughts and prayers are with you All the best Take care Justin Izzy and LouT 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgetO Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 i'm so sorry for the loss of your dear brother. I wish peace and comfort for you and your loved ones. Justin1970 and Tom Galli 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Izzy Posted January 24, 2023 Share Posted January 24, 2023 So sorry for your loss, life can be so cruel, take care and hang on to those memories xxx Love Isla ( Justin's mum ) Tom Galli and Justin1970 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen_L Posted January 26, 2023 Share Posted January 26, 2023 I am so, so sorry for your loss. As hard as it was, I'm glad you were able to be with him. I send best wishes for your own healing. Tom Galli, Justin1970 and LouT 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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