paddy Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Just to let you all know that David had a small stroke yesterday. He went for a short walk and when he returned he experienced a tingling in his hand and then began to slurr his speech. By the time the paramedics arrived, (about 10 to 15 minutes) his speech was more or less back to normal. He was not paralysed any more than the residual from his last stroke,(five years ago.) Apparently this stroke was on the opposite side of the brain to the last one. Anyway, after a barrage of tests the doctor told us that the reason for the stroke was Mets to the brain. He said the exertion of the walk had probably made the large tumor swell and so interfered with the brains "mechanism"? He has one fairly large tumor and many small ones. He is now on steroids and they plan radiation soon. As it is, they say he could have a siezure at any time. Today we have an appointment in the afternoon and should be starting Gemzar. Our daughters are waiting to hear what our Onc says this afternoon and then they are going to plan to come down to see their Dad. He really is an amazing man, you wouldn't think he had even had a stroke, he is talking just as intelligently as he has always done and his speech is only slightly slurred. He walks about but is a lot weaker and off balance. We are so upset about this setback, but I know a lot of our friends on this board are living with brain mets, so I will take courage from this fact. Pse excuse the spelling here, I am rushing this as I have loads to do before we go off to the onc. Prayers and love to you all, Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyCW Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Paddy, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know you're rushing off -- Just wanted to let you know you and David are in my prayers. BeckyCW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NellW Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Praying Paddy and David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Prayers for David and Paddy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Paddy , prayers going up. Please let us know when you can, how things are going. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggiesmom Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Paddy & David, So sorry to hear of this set-back, but rest assured we're praying hard for you both. Courage! Joanie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annjael Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 ((((((((((David and Paddy))))))))) You both are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope all goes well at the Onc. Please keep us posted. Peace and blessings, Annjael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAnn Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Oh Paddy, I am so sorry to hear of David's stroke. The good news is that it wasn't severe and his speech and other functions weren't too badly affected. I am sending you my thoughts and prayers. TAnn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stand4hope Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Paddy, I am so upset to hear about both the stroke and the brain mets. I will try to call you tonight on my way home from work. I can't write much now (I'm supposed to be working LOL). Keep your chin up, girlfriend, you've got a lot of support here, and you know I'm stuck to you like glue! Love, Peggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Just wanted to say that I am rooting for you all the way hear on the east coast!!! gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kate1621 Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 You and yours will be in our prayers. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Paddy, I am so very sorry. This journey is just fraught with land mines. It looks like David side stepped the big one and that is good news. They told me they were sure Earl would have seizures after they found the brain mets. He did not, thank God. I had Dilantin suppositories just in case, you may want to ask about that. I hope the Gemzar is the magic pill. You and David are in my prayers. Love, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelliemacs Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 I am so sorry about the brain mets. I am relieved though that the stroke was not much worse. I am keeping you both in my prayers that things get better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Paddy, Pls know you and David are in my thoughts. elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeTaa Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 So sorry to hear of this setback. TBone's tumors were so large when they were found on Christmas Eve that the ER doctor said he shouldn't even be conscious, and they really prepared us for him to start having seizures. But fortunately, that never happened. Here's hoping y'all won't have to deal with that either, and that they're able to zap those mets pronto. Praying for us all, TeeTaa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 15, 2004 Author Share Posted September 15, 2004 Thank you all Dear friends, Today we saw the Onc. and he has put us in touch with a "radiologist?"! David has to have three weeks of radiology and the Gemzar has been put on hold. The oncologist says that Gemzar can interfere with the radiology outcome. David is taking Omprazole and decadron. I have heard such terrible things about decadron and I am a bit worried about that. David is amazingly cheerful today. Our friends and neighbours have been visiting him and keeping his spirits up. What angels we have around here!He has eaten a good dinner tonight too! You would hardly know that he has had a stroke. I am so relieved about that as the first stroke was a nightmare that we have never really recovered from and I was so terrified that the same thing was happening again. So, we carry on with the fight and hope for the best. Lots of love and thanks to you all. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Sounds like good news overall, Paddy. Hang in there. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Paddy-- Glad to read the most recent update--that David is in such fine spirits. You and your entire family are in our thoughts and prayers. Melinda and Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Paddy, You and David are in my prayers. Please let us know how he is doing... God Bless, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyCW Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Paddy, thanks for the report, and I'm glad there's a plan in place to fight this off. Decadron probably affects different people in different ways, and I pray it does nothing negative to David, and only helps. You're in my thoughts and prayers, BeckyCW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisaRN Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 i am sorry to hear this paddy, my prayers are with you... Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViVi Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Dear Paddy, When TBone was diagnosed on Christmas Eve with those awful (and awfully large) brain mets, they immediately started the Decadron. We're convinced that's what decreased the swelling (and stopped the bleeding, possibly) so that his severe headache stopped and he did not have seizures. He hated taking the Decadron because of all he had read but I really don't think it was as awful as he expected. One thing it did though was make him REAL hungry. We all cooked constantly to keep him filled up. I want to add, too, that I think it was because of the Decadron that he was able to feel so good (physically, that is) right after dx and we were able to have all those cook-outs, parties, etc. (again, trying to fill him up! lol). I'll keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers. ViVi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Paddy, How scary... you take good care of him! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remembering Dave Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 I am sorry to hear this but am thankfulhe did not have any permanent effects from the stroke. My prayers are with you and David. David C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinaresholz Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Paddy, Very sorry to hear about David's stroke. I know my blood pressure got worse since my surgery and I'm now on two blood pressure pills. Also, I guess percocet is bad for those with blood pressure problems. Sending prayers your way! Sharon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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