2 down, 6 to go

And Gooooo Red Sox! Just finished round two of the chemo. Everything seems okay. That sensitivity to cold is stronger this time, he walked out to get the paper bare footed and said it felt weird on his feet. Drank a cold juice and felt that tingle in the throat that they said to expect. Last time there was no nausea until Monday and Tuesday so we shall see how that progresses. Been way over the minutes on the cell phone plan this summer. If you want to chat, call the home line (same as we used to have) if you can. If all you have is the cell number, its okay.

Just because it has been awhile

Things sometimes feel like we are getting into a groove or normal life. We had a bug run through that upset some stomachs and caused some fevers. But since Dave had it first, then Liam,... It was apparently just a bug. Dave goes in Friday the 19th for round 2 of the 8 Chemo Treatments. Someone asked me what we are doing for Thanksgiving. Its hard to judge what life will hold - side affect wise - 6 weeks from now. Being around a bunch of family might be good for the spirits but bad for the germ factor. We might do Liam's Birthday Party (in Jan.) at some "place" since having a bunch of people over might be not good. That sort of thing.

Friday / Saturday

On Friday Dave had his blood work done, saw the Oncologist, and began his first treatment of Chemo. Sounds simple enough, but for some reason it takes all day. So at 2:30 they started him on a soup of infusions. Big long Doctor terms for the ingredients. At 4:30 they took him off those drips, and put him on the pack to go home with. He gets disconnected on Sunday at 3:30. They trained me how to disconnect the infusion from the port. So that will be fun. This weekend was also the weekend of Dave's 15 year Academy class reunion. He had shown slight interest in the tailgate party and football game. I got tickets to those events for today. He was not sure if he felt comfortable going with the chemo pack hooked up. But I dragged him anyways. He wore his Monty Python "I am not dead yet" T-shirt. It was great. He had a wonderful time. Many folks that attended the reunion did not know about the cancer at all. (Well... ah... everyone knows now) And they said it was so like Dave to wear that shirt in such times!!!

The things they don't tell you

If he had known prior to the surgery that he would not be allowed to eat pop corn, he would have eatten pop corn every night before the surgery. If they had told us that these stupid bags could possible fall off or leak for no apparent reason (and from no apparent place) we would have not have been so mortified when it happened. And maybe would have been more prepared.

photo attached?

Trying to figure out how to attach a photo. If this goes right, you will see Liam's Halloween Costume.

Whack! Bam!

Okay, so about an hour after I had blogged yesterday, I was trying to get some momentum to get out the door. Dave was laying on the couch. I asked him to go upstairs and see if he can focus Liam into getting dressed sometime soon. He sat up, got up, and headed up the stairs all in one fairly quick motion. He was a few steps up when a dizzy spell attacked him. He put his hands out in front of him on some steps to brace himself while he tried to let it pass. His arms gave away in what we believe was a total black out moment. He slammed his forehead on the steps. He yelled ouch and got off the steps and laid down on the floor at the bottom of the steps. It all happened very quick. By the time I got a bag of frozen veggies, he had blood pouring out of his fingers. I called the Oncologist's office. They were awesomely quick to respond. And they had us go to the clinic for a blood pressure check. Apparently, the Flomax he was on for that Urine problem is cumulative. And it has a side affect of dizzy spells. They took him off of that. He has the modern equivalent of stitches in the forehead. The used super glue type stuff and some steri-strips. Big lump. Lots of funky colors. But he will be okay. We are laughing about it already.

Part time

Dave has been into work a few hours this week. He is walking around great. No lifting, driving, or jogging yet. We see the surgeon next week for a follow up on Wednesday. Then he has his first chemo treatment on Friday October 5th.

Free and Clear, just need to follow up

All; We met w/ the oncologist yesterday. The pathology report shows they did get all of the tumor (yeah) and that there was no cancer in any of the lymph nodes (YEAH). It doesn't really impact the treatment any - as the surgeon said "if there was cancer in the lymph nodes I had stage 3 cancer and would need 4 - 6 months of chemo, if there wasn't cancer there, they'd assume there was before the radiation, and I would need 4 - 6 months of chemo." So it is more a psychological victory - and a good one. So I guess you can say I am now cancer free. Thanks for all the support. Still hope to be back in the office on Monday. Dave

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Lymph nodes were all FREE of cancer. Bone scan was clear. He is down 5 lbs from pre- surgery... Which is very acceptable.

Voiding

The medical world is full of such lingo. Apparently, when you empty your bladder it is called voiding. We saw the Urologist again this morning for a scan of the bladder. The amount being retained still now below 100ml. Which is a very acceptable void. (Back in the days following the surgery it was closer to 600ml... which is not good) We have another follow up on Friday morning. On another note, my next challenge is that I need to find a tri-care approved supplier for Dave's bag supplies. (Tri-care is the military word for our health insurance) I found out today that the company we were told -by the "stoma nurse" at the hospital - to order our supplies from, is not a tri-care network provider and they were still waiting for authorization. I am glad I called them to find this out before Dave REALLY needed more bags!!! I put the first shipment on credit card, hope to get re-imbursed. And will begin that search on Thursday. The dining room still has a huge pile.. that actually got bigger today. Lisa, how is your Dad?

HOME

We are home. The car is unpacked, ... into a heap in the dining room. I want to spend a week finding a place for everything (that I will remember) then I never ever want to pack the car again!!! 5 months of unrest! Time to sleep in our own bed with our own pillows and no more PACKING.

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Dave is being discharged without the cath. As a precaution an Rx anti biotic. We will over night here at Daves folks in haverhill mass. Then drive to CT in the morning.

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Well... I am sitting in an emergency room waiting area. The cath started giving dave problems on saturday. On sunday we paged the Urologist in new london. He said to come in at 9am monday. I packed the car. At 4 we were supposed to go to a classmates place. (ak) Liam chose that moment to crash asleep. So at 4:40 we were ready to go again. Dave went to make a trip to the bathroom.... And from that point our plans went WAY off course! We called cousin Susanne. We called the U again. And here we are. They triaged him and took him back super fast. Liam stay at G house. more news later.

Dave has been saying

Dave feels on and off all week. On pain meds. Visiting nurses stopped by 2 times now. The incision is healing nicely. Two bags on now because the bladder is not working ... temporary because they were working down there. Then the other bag is staying on until after they are done with the Chemo. - even though it needs to be there for 3 months - he can't have surgery during chemo. Other than all that I am feeling pretty good right now. One of my friends says I was forcing myself to feel good the Tuesday after the hospital. Now it is more real. Our Oncology nurse says that next year we will look back and say "that was a shitty year" but in the end it will be okay.

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Its kind of funny. Folks tend to say "let me know what i can do to help." but when i need help i tend to draw an almost blank on who to call. Dave has appointments for the next 3 wednesdays. And i need someone that lives in our CT area to take Liam. So call my cell if you think you can help out. Times and durations vary.

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Well, he is doing much better emotionally. He was on the phone last night with a classmate (LW) and was just chatty and laughing and telling stories. Then another classmate came by (AK). In the end Dave was asking when we could visit his house. These are two signs that he is much better. It may be an over cast day.... But i think the sun is not far away. What a relief.

Seeing him soon.

I take Liam to "preschool" on Thursday then pick him up after lunch and take him to Haverhill MA which is where Dave is with his folks. I can't wait. Liam and I are there Thursday through Monday. Monday afternoon I drive back with Liam so he can attend school again. Dave may or may not be coming with me at that point. He has an appointment in Boston on Wednesday. If he wants to he can stay put another 2 days, Dave's Dad will drive him to Boston, then I might meet up with them in Worcester. It is a possible plan. At the latest we will all be home on the night of the 19th together. I am trying to get the house looking home-ie, welcoming, and friendly. I bought a lot of mums and pansies. Spent the afternoon planting them about. I hung some curtains. Filled the bird feeders. I look forward to us all being together here again.

Seeing him soon.

I take Liam to "preschool" (It is a day care with a pre-school age room and curriculum) on Thursday then pick him up after lunch and take him to Haverhill MA which is where Dave is with his folks. I can't wait. Spoke to him on the phone and he sounds.... like maybe the darkness has not totally lifted, but maybe the stars are at least shining. It will be a relief to see him. Don't tell him, but I bought yellow Mums and yellow Pansies and planted them around the yard. I hung some curtains. Just trying to make the place seem cheerful, home-ie, and welcoming for his return next week. (Wednesday the 19th)(I know it is Wednesday, but I may be off on the date by a day or two.)

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Liam enjoyed his first day of school. His teachers said he fit in as if he had always been there. I enjoyed a long nap while he was there. Then i bought flowers for the yard... For fall. Will put them in thursday... Even if it rains! Nothing makes me smile more than being covered in mud! Dave seemed a bit better today. Climbing out of a hole is a slow process. I cant wait to get back up there to be with him.

Darkness

There are just some things that can't be blogged. Dave is physically okay. The surgery was a success. His incision is healing. He had to go home (to his folks) with a cath. bag even though he didn't want to. We already have a Dr. in CT to deal with it again in a few weeks. For a number of possible reasons his bladder is just not getting the job done. It could be the heavy narcotics he was on. It could be the surgery itself upset something that just needs time to get back into balance. So that is frustrating. And he is wiped out from his hospital stay. I am hoping a few days of quiet rest will help settle his nerves. I am hoping a few days of being off the narcotics will restore balance. He is in a not fun place emotionally. And it is not "pep-talk land" that he is in. Did you ever read the book written by the great philosopher of our time - I mean of course - Dr. Sues! He wrote a book that was entitled "Oh The Places You Will Go" -- Dave is not on the happy pages right now. I am in CT. I am taking Liam to school tomorrow. Wednesday Liam, my Mom, and I are going to go somewhere (aquarium, museum .... not sure yet). Then he has school on Thursday. As soon as I pick him up after school on Thursday, we are driving to Haverhill to join Dave. We will be there all together until Monday night. Liam and I leave Monday so Liam can go to school on Tuesday again. Then Dave has an appointment on Wednesday the 19th. Ed, I think, is driving him in, then meeting me so Dave comes home with me. Confused yet? I am.

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Dave is settled in haverhill at his folks place. I am on my way to CT. Liam starts school tuesday.

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The surgeon came in. It looks like the incision is healing ok. He basically gave him a choice. Stay one more night OR go home with the cath and have it removed by a Urologist in 3 weeks. He decided to stay. He is eating solid foods. As the day goes on we shall just have to watch what the bladder does. He may have to go home monday with the cath after all.

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He is bumbed. At this point we dont know what they will decide. They might keep him. They might send him home with the cath. They might keep him. Neither option has his spirits up. He had some horrid has pain last night. So he was up walking to try to get rid of it. So he did not sleep much. Nobody sleeps in hospitals. It is said that we need to sleep to heal. Given that, no healing occurs in hospitals. They dont clean much either. I got a bit of water on the floor. When i wiped it up the paper towel was black. In many ways we both have had our fill of this. Dave wolfed down some ham and strawberries for breakfast. And he is reading the paper now. Two things he has not been able or interested in until today. Although i an glad to have the actual surgery behind us. I think we will both feel better when his body is functioning as it should in regards to bladder and gas.

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He is bumbed. At this point we dont know what they will decide. They might keep him. They might send him home with the cath. They might keep him. Neither option has his spirits up. He had some horrid has pain last night. So he was up walking to try to get rid of it. So he did not sleep much. Nobody sleeps in hospitals. It is said that we need to sleep to heal. Given that, no healing occurs in hospitals. They dont clean much either. I got a bit of water on the floor. When i wiped it up the paper towel was black. In many ways we both have had our fill of this. Dave wolfed down some ham and strawberries for breakfast. And he is reading the paper now. Two things he has not been able or interested in until today. Although i an glad to have the actual surgery behind us. I think we will both feel better when his body is functioning as it should in regards to bladder and gas.

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He is off all IVs. The cath they had put in when under they took out yesterday. Out is less painful than in. But not totally painless. So... Um... The pond was not draining. They did an ultra sound of the bladder. And ah... Yeah... That cath had to go back in! He put out 1000ml within minutes. They take it out again tonight at midnight. IF he can empty the flood zone he gets to go home sunday with out the cath. If the pond cant empty, he gets to go home WITH the cath bag ON. Oh happy happy joy joy! Yeah... This one is boarder line TMI (Too much information) but he is apparently going home (to haverhill) SUNDAY.

hi!

Today was a bit quieter. When I arrived he was walking, then a bout of pain, then he found that some positions work better than others. I gave out his phone number in the blog while he was sleeping.. so of course I didn't have the phone in a convenient place for him to answer it!!! He made a sudden move to get it and ended up in pain. Ah well. The phone is near him for all other calls. I went to dinner with his family (E, C, B, A) and his aunt and uncle (E&S). They are going to have Dave try toast tomorrow. He is consuming fluids at a mild to moderate rate. Liam is arriving on Saturday for his visit with my folks. If the hospital is going to have him going home on Sunday they will need to have him onto only pill form pain meds by then. I don't feel tired but my typing is kind of goofy. So, I will hit the hay. Good night!

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Dave has his ups and downs but there have been improvements. Im even going to so far as to say that he can handle phone calls or visitors. So if you want to do that you can. His phone number is 617-726-4839. And if visiting he is in the building named White. 7th floor. Room 22 near the nurses station. Liam is arriving with my folks on saturday afternoon. He might be discharged on sunday or monday. Then he heads to either haverhill or salisbury for a week. Then back to CT for the rest of his recovery.

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Kerri slept 10 hours last night. Got to his room at 930. He was not there. He was out walking turtle speed. He says his walk started out fine. He was in acute pain when i met upwith him. He said i was the stoma site the was where the pain was. At almost the same time someone from the pain mgt team was here. Since Dave was up she checked the epidural. It was not into him at all. Nobody knows when it fell out but we think it was early on since he had so much pain after surgery. While walking the bag was falling off. The nurse goes to put a new bag on. I found a flash light to hold since she was not able to see all that well. While all this is going on we got a wonderful phone call. Dave was selected for promotion! !

Time settings

I had a moment at the hotel to go through this blogger site yet again. I stumbled upon (FINALLY) the place to set your time zone. I hope that when this posts, the computer will now automatically put in the time that it says on my wrist watch! Sorry for any confusion that this time setting problem has caused. I re-read all of my blogs for today. Funny how they all sort of sound the same. I am looking forward to seeing him tomorrow (Friday) to see what he can do now that he seems to be over the largest of the humps (so to speak). Thanks for reading the blog. Even when it is boring and repetative!

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Someone was asking what the injected shot was. Its Tolodol. Good stuff!