Keyz that is awesome! He'll be eating his hat! Don't be embarrassed girl! These people obviously really care, we need more people in the world like that. Obviously we need more yous too b/c that says you are loved! ((((HUGS))))
Mike and Jeff and Keyzy's Health
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I hope he turns blue! You are a very special person, as we all know. Now you are seeing people outside this forum show it! We will all have a sip of coffee or tea with you.
Right ladies!
Right ladies!
I hope he turns blue! You are a very special person, as we all know. Now you are seeing people outside this forum show it! We will all have a sip of coffee or tea with you.
Right ladies!
Yes ma'am
We saw the oncology radiologist today. I have to say it was a very productive visit. On Mon. Mike will have his first hormone shot..he will have one every 3 months for two years. His radiation treatments will begin in two months.
I found out a few things, the hormone treatment will begin the treatment by killing (starving) all cancer cells that may have strayed to other parts of the body (and in the prostate). This is much like starving breast cancer cells by stopping all estrogen. Prostate cancer is dependant on testosterone and androgen?.
Once the shots begin working and have had a change to spread throughout the body..then he can start radiation.
The Dr. told us that they will make a cast of his legs in order to keep him in one position for each radiation treatment. After Mondays shot then he will come back for a Cat scan, the cast and a dry run of the radiation..just so he know what is needed and also a tattoo. That would suck for me because I would refuse. But I am doing my best not to project my phobias on to him.
When we got there Mike's nurse began talking about everything and she said 42 treatments. I asked after 4 weeks then we could look into seeding? She said no..where did you get that idea? I told her his urology Dr. She had the nerve to say I misheard. No you didn't say that! The Doctor comes in about that time and she proceeds to tell him I must have misheard the other Dr. That did it!
I told her I did not mishear and that I wrote it DOWN..wanna see? Now she backs down and starts being very nice..not a professor lecturing her students. The Doctors launches his spiel and I asked why 2 years when in Lancet oncology they are saying 6 months is enough. Eyes fly open and he gets excited and said..You read lancet? What do you do for a living? lol I didn't have the heart to tell him only on line and only in areas I am researching.I did tell him my background is retail! So we talked about the trial studies and he finally said in Mike's case since he has stage 8 cancer...very bad and very aggressive..that we were going to need everything we could throw at it. As it is we have a 50/50 chance of him beating this. The cancer also has a 50/50 chance of coming back. I don't think he would have given us that hard news if he didn't think we would stumble on it anyway.
I did manage to get the Dr. to write on Mike's chart to be shared with his main Doctor that Mike would be monitored closely for his heart and osteoporosis. Hormone therapy in men..brings them very close to female in that now they can get post menopausal heart problems and lost of bone density as well as hot flashes and loss of muscle.
After a while another Nurse comes in and says she represents a research program at Moffitt cancer center. The blind research( no names) is just a questionnaire and blood sample 3 times over a year. They want to see if the hormone treatment changes mood, thinking or perceptions. The blood sample is to test for gene reactions to hormone therapy and the level of hormones. Moffitt is just across the Street from the V.A. and she said they would schedule the visits to Moffitt when he comes in for shots. They even have a special shuttle that will pick him up and drop him at his car. This is a paid study to boot!
Last but not least, I mentioned that we were looking into walkers or wheelchairs..she said Don't! I looked at her like she was nuts and she handed me a RX for a walker with a seat and basket or a wheelchair. She said if later we needed a motorized wheelchair to let her know. Then she asked what else we needed. We got a bath chair for the shower. They don't have bed tables..but we are looking for one tomorrow. I want to be prepared for anything!
He likes the walker chair..it allows him to get around the V.A. and sit for a bit when he gets tired. They are very busy there so often there isn't a wheelchair available. He is too tired and his hips hurt and his feet are numb. The hospital is ginormus@
Ok that's it for now! LOL
I found out a few things, the hormone treatment will begin the treatment by killing (starving) all cancer cells that may have strayed to other parts of the body (and in the prostate). This is much like starving breast cancer cells by stopping all estrogen. Prostate cancer is dependant on testosterone and androgen?.
Once the shots begin working and have had a change to spread throughout the body..then he can start radiation.
The Dr. told us that they will make a cast of his legs in order to keep him in one position for each radiation treatment. After Mondays shot then he will come back for a Cat scan, the cast and a dry run of the radiation..just so he know what is needed and also a tattoo. That would suck for me because I would refuse. But I am doing my best not to project my phobias on to him.
When we got there Mike's nurse began talking about everything and she said 42 treatments. I asked after 4 weeks then we could look into seeding? She said no..where did you get that idea? I told her his urology Dr. She had the nerve to say I misheard. No you didn't say that! The Doctor comes in about that time and she proceeds to tell him I must have misheard the other Dr. That did it!
I told her I did not mishear and that I wrote it DOWN..wanna see? Now she backs down and starts being very nice..not a professor lecturing her students. The Doctors launches his spiel and I asked why 2 years when in Lancet oncology they are saying 6 months is enough. Eyes fly open and he gets excited and said..You read lancet? What do you do for a living? lol I didn't have the heart to tell him only on line and only in areas I am researching.I did tell him my background is retail! So we talked about the trial studies and he finally said in Mike's case since he has stage 8 cancer...very bad and very aggressive..that we were going to need everything we could throw at it. As it is we have a 50/50 chance of him beating this. The cancer also has a 50/50 chance of coming back. I don't think he would have given us that hard news if he didn't think we would stumble on it anyway.
I did manage to get the Dr. to write on Mike's chart to be shared with his main Doctor that Mike would be monitored closely for his heart and osteoporosis. Hormone therapy in men..brings them very close to female in that now they can get post menopausal heart problems and lost of bone density as well as hot flashes and loss of muscle.
After a while another Nurse comes in and says she represents a research program at Moffitt cancer center. The blind research( no names) is just a questionnaire and blood sample 3 times over a year. They want to see if the hormone treatment changes mood, thinking or perceptions. The blood sample is to test for gene reactions to hormone therapy and the level of hormones. Moffitt is just across the Street from the V.A. and she said they would schedule the visits to Moffitt when he comes in for shots. They even have a special shuttle that will pick him up and drop him at his car. This is a paid study to boot!
Last but not least, I mentioned that we were looking into walkers or wheelchairs..she said Don't! I looked at her like she was nuts and she handed me a RX for a walker with a seat and basket or a wheelchair. She said if later we needed a motorized wheelchair to let her know. Then she asked what else we needed. We got a bath chair for the shower. They don't have bed tables..but we are looking for one tomorrow. I want to be prepared for anything!
He likes the walker chair..it allows him to get around the V.A. and sit for a bit when he gets tired. They are very busy there so often there isn't a wheelchair available. He is too tired and his hips hurt and his feet are numb. The hospital is ginormus@
Ok that's it for now! LOL
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Wow MK....just....
and what a "B" that nurse was....and darn good thing that doctor changed his tune.....geez.....
(hug).....don't forget I am only 30 minutes away !
and what a "B" that nurse was....and darn good thing that doctor changed his tune.....geez.....
(hug).....don't forget I am only 30 minutes away !
MK, I would have loved to have seen the look on that nurse's face, lol. Yes, the VA is very good about getting you the equipment needed. I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Sounds like all in all that appointment was a very good one. I'm glad that Dr. is getting his .... in gear, and good for you for speaking up.
I know you said you took care of your mom, so your probably already know a few things, but just thought I'd mention them anyway. Go to CostCo and look for a those shower heads that come off. I think they are only 10 or 20 dollars at CostCo, and the removable shower head is a big help.
My mother has a table I think this one is an antique, but it has rollers on the bottom, and sides that fold out to make it bigger. I don't know what it's called but she keeps it by the bed as a bed side table, and it seems to work. I know if FL they have a lot of estate sales maybe you can find one like it cheep. Sometimes you can find really great deals, especially when they don't have a clue what they really have. Maybe you could even check IKEA for something, even if you have to have one of the kids put rollers on for you if it's the right hight is might work anyway. I don't go to IKEA because the people can be crazy, so I don't have a clue but you never know.
You guys are in my prayers, you are an amazing strong woman, I'm sure Mike appreciates all you are doing for him.
I know you said you took care of your mom, so your probably already know a few things, but just thought I'd mention them anyway. Go to CostCo and look for a those shower heads that come off. I think they are only 10 or 20 dollars at CostCo, and the removable shower head is a big help.
My mother has a table I think this one is an antique, but it has rollers on the bottom, and sides that fold out to make it bigger. I don't know what it's called but she keeps it by the bed as a bed side table, and it seems to work. I know if FL they have a lot of estate sales maybe you can find one like it cheep. Sometimes you can find really great deals, especially when they don't have a clue what they really have. Maybe you could even check IKEA for something, even if you have to have one of the kids put rollers on for you if it's the right hight is might work anyway. I don't go to IKEA because the people can be crazy, so I don't have a clue but you never know.
You guys are in my prayers, you are an amazing strong woman, I'm sure Mike appreciates all you are doing for him.
Girl I am so proud of you! I really appreciate the pt that takes time to educate themselves. Always question authority! I do. Sounds like you are gonna get through this w/ shear willpower. I hope Mike beats this! (((((HUGS))))))
Thanks everyone! I have a friend who cares for her MIL..but her MIL is a crazy old coot..and I don't mean that in a nice way. The mother in law is going to live with another son and Val has medical stuff everywhere! She is going to see what her MIL took and left. I am hoping a medical over the bed table is in there somewhere. Today we got a phone system..1 base phone with a key board, so it can be used as a regular phone and 4 slave units that are placed elsewhere in the house. It has an intercom feature so we can talk across the house if one of needs help. I wanted a phone in all the major rooms so he can call for help to me or 911. Mom once fell here and stayed on the floor for two days..that scared me. I just want every base covered.
I do stand up for us both. I have had too many surgeries and too many things go wrong. never again due to my ignorance..I want to be one step ahead and completely informed!
I do stand up for us both. I have had too many surgeries and too many things go wrong. never again due to my ignorance..I want to be one step ahead and completely informed!
Good for you MK, you need to be well informed.
I hope she has a medical table for Mike, it will be helpful.
I hope she has a medical table for Mike, it will be helpful.
For now that table will be for him to use his laptop in bed. The fool gets up at 4am..nothing good on T.V. unless you are in the maket for a chop-o- matic or sunrise yoga! But if he gets as tired as they say he might or if his hips hurt any worse (part and parcel of his stage of cancer) It will be great for dinners and card games.
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MK (((((hugs)))) You are a strong woman, not many women would go to the lengths you have gone to. All the researching about the procedures and all. You rock!!!! I am sure Mike is proud to have you for a wife and best friend during all of this!
Exactly! Wonderful ppl and GOOD Keyz karma.
I hope he turns blue! You are a very special person, as we all know. Now you are seeing people outside this forum show it! We will all have a sip of coffee or tea with you.
Right ladies!
RIGHT!
That's for sure. That's why I try to make it here everyday - to get my Mary Kay fix for the day, lol!
Mary Kay, I took care of my father until the day he passed, and he would get confused while on medication, and then he would get up to walk and fall. I would sometimes make myself a blanket & pillow bed on the floor in front of his bed, so if he tried to get up, I would be there to help him. But what I did that helped most was to go to the sporting goods store and get a powerful gym whistle (on a lanyard) the coaches use. If he fell, then at least he could whistle for help. Those whistles are loud.
As always, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sea..that's a good idea. I had a brass bell for Mom and grandma..I took care of them one at a time in their last years. I think I threw it away though..I grew to hate that bell!
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