Older Folks and Vaping Back Porch - Part Seven

[2legsshrt]

Well I actually got some Happy news for Fathers Day. My daughter is going to stay through next week. So I won't be by myself while she gets Chemo while she is at home. That's a load offffff!! I lifted a 20 lb bag of dog food from Costco to bring it in the house and just barely could do, I had to set it down 2 times between the rear of the car and the door into the house. I didn't realize how much strength I have lost. 6 or 7 years ago I didn't have any problem carrying a 5 gallon water jug full or a 50lb bag of dog food over my shoulder. It's crazy.

 

[2legsshrt]

Just an open note on lung cancer screening, for smokers and ex-smokers.
Chest X-rays are of no use, no evidence of cancer was found on Ks chest xrays prior to it's spreading to other organs.
If we are to avoid all these 'stage 4' diagnoses, MRI will have to get widespread use, and much less expensive, as a general screening tool.
FYI

Same with Ginnys, the only reason the did the CT was because the xray showed that one of her arteries was inlarged so they were looking for possible clots and this showed up.

 

[ilporcupine]

In K's case, it was back pain which became bad enough to send us to the ER. Where they did the scans, and delivered the bad news.

 

[ilporcupine]

@2legsshrt
The neuprogen is essentially the same as the Neulasta I mentioned. It just has to be given daily, instead of at the end of a chemo cycle, once.
I hope that makes it more affordable, as a tradeoff.

 

[Bea-FL]

@2legsshrt
Please don't assume that the Chemo will be devastating, in it's effect. My dear K. had problems to be sure, but not from the chemo, necessarily. She seemed to tolerate the chemo, without much nausea, or other visible effect. Most of the problems she experienced were from the bone involvement, which was in progress before she was ever diagnosed.In fact, Ginny may, after a round or three, start to feel much better, especially in the off periods! Stay positive! We met many folks at the chemo clinic, living fairly normal lives, while receiving chemo.
The chemo will potentially require blood to be given, if she is short of white cells, etc., and monitoring of key minerals, calcium,potassium,etc. You must make sure she stays hydrated, the problems with becoming dehydrated were almost insurmountable. If I could have kept her out of hospital, and given her saline at home, we probably would had more quality time together. At least 64oz. water daily. No joke.
Hospital nursing staffs are notoriously understaffed, and they just haven't the time to give patients the one-on-one that they need. We caregivers have to take up the slack. Camp out there as much as possible, and make sure she gets what she needs. No matter what they are selling, YOU are in the best position to give her what she needs, not the nurse, or anyone else. We got some home nurse visits, and avoided more office visits for blood draws, etc.Hope you can get some help at home, too...
Sorry this was so disorganized, stream-of conciousness, ramble. Hard for me to relive it over again. I lose focus when I dwell on it for long.

It must be so difficult for you to relive all this so thank you so much for sharing all this info about cancer patient care. I plan to keep your post and hope never to have to use it.

Your input about our roles as caregivers applies to all diseases and hospital stays. When I had an intestinal blockage last year that quickly turned very dangerous and landed me in the hospital for a week, my hubs had to stay on top of things diligently to insure the nursing staff followed doctors' orders and I got the care I needed.

 

[ilporcupine]

Forum at www.csn.cancer.org Cancer Survivors Network. Many patients and caregivers, as well as professionals. Can help with finding info about treatment, and finding out what is available to you.

 

[ilporcupine]

It must be so difficult for you to relive all this so thank you so much for sharing all this info about cancer patient care. I plan to keep your post and hope never to have to use it.

Your input about our roles as caregivers applies to all diseases and hospital stays. When I had an intestinal blockage last year that quickly turned very dangerous and landed me in the hospital for a week, my hubs had to stay on top of things diligently to insure the nursing staff followed doctors' orders and I got the care I needed.

Part of the problem is once you are in the middle of it, it is hard to find time for research, or really, anything beyond day to day survival. Sometimes, a little piece of info makes a world of difference.

 

[Acer50]

Finally finished unpacking Hallelujah! Workshop set up. Off to the garbage tip today to get rid off packing cartons. The internet relocation was a pain in the ..... We with an ISP called Optus in Au. Never had I had such drama as these clowns. Took them over a week to sort out their technical issues. Still, one has to be greatful for small mercies. They are heaps better than the other ISP Telstra. Telstra is infamous for their outages.

Yesterday Sunday was the first day off I had in 2 weeks since moving. Yes siree I enjoyed it. The wife went out and the neighbours were not home so I gave the stereo a good test. Lol the bass speakers opened cupboard doors. It was like having ghosts in the house. LMAO

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[Acer50]

End to a perfect day.

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[oldbroad]

Foru
at www.csn.cancer.org Cancer Survivors Network. Many patients and caregivers, as well as professionals. Can help with finding info about treatment, and finding out what is available to you.

Bless you IL for sharing your experience with this dreadful disease with Pat.
I'm sure it must be painful for you and yet you reach out to someone else.

 

[2legsshrt]

It is so helpful to speak to someone who has been through all of this. I'm sure I will be a wreck Tuesday night, so will she but at least we'll have help. Not anyone who knows anymore about this then me but HELP. Thank God. I'm hoping she has a not real bad reaction to this. I think I will hold off on the Palliative care till after we see how it goes. I can get signed up but I don't want to use any of her allotted Hospice days by just having someone on the phone for support. We will be able to call the doctor if need be. The place that has this is also one of the best Hospices in Spokane so will talk to them tomorrow and find out how this actually works and if it's possible to get signed up so if anything comes up we have someone else to call for support.
Her schedule is very much like your SO IL it reads like this.
Tues June 19th 1pm Drug Access and Reimbusement
Business Office, Financial Councelor
RN Reminder
Visit with Dr. Chaudry
Sterile Tray, CL3 (Chemo)
Tests
CBC w/diff
CMP
Mg. Port Draw
CMP
Wednesday June 20th Nurse Eval (Level 1) CL3
Thursday June 21st Nurse Eval (Level 1) CL3

Thursday July 5th visit with Dr. Chaudry, Tests, CBC w/diff

Tuesday July 10th Visit with Dr. Chaudry
Tests, Mg
Port Draw, CMP, CBC w/diff
CL3 CMP

Very Similar to your SO IL didn't go any further but keeps repeating for 3 days then break and again.

Hope this works, man I hope and pray this works and doesn't go too bad.

 

[ilporcupine]

I hope so too, 2L, Im rooting for you guys from here... We skipped some of that prelim, because she was already in hospital, but yep, it is a grind, at first. Chemo was slow drip, so expect a couple hours. Our clinic had TV/VCR/DVD combos, so you could take movies. Or a good book. Lotta a** time.

 

[lulu836]

Well I thought I'd post a picture of Ginny and her Support dog. She just went into Great Clips and got her free Cancer haircut and they do it so she can donate it to Lock of Love.

That big badage is where she had her Port put in. Her hair was over 2' long. Handn't been cut since right after we got married 30 some years ago.

Same place as my dialysis port.

 

[2legsshrt]

Jeez I'm working myself into a heart attack or something. This is all happening so fast. Have to go to the prosthetist with a 1030, gotta check the motorhome batteries, gotta try and get these dots set up, if Frank comes tomorrow have to get the bed set up up here, chemo on Tues, I need to be 3 people clone myself. She is going into this with a really positive attitude I just hope she isn't disappointed too bad. Crap we just found out about the pet scan on the 13th. And the treatment plan same day that's only a little less then a week. How do you do this, it would be a beach for a healthy person.

 

[ilporcupine]

Jeez I'm working myself into a heart attack or something. This is all happening so fast. Have to go to the prosthetist with a 1030, gotta check the motorhome batteries, gotta try and get these dots set up, if Frank comes tomorrow have to get the bed set up up here, chemo on Tues, I need to be 3 people clone myself. She is going into this with a really positive attitude I just hope she isn't disappointed too bad. Crap we just found out about the pet scan on the 11th.

Relax a little. Prioritize. Do the most important stuff. If you have to, let something go. Don't drive yourself crazy with worry. Take it as it comes.
Probably nothing is going to change immediately, other than a little nausea, maybe. I understood Ginny to be mobile, yes? If so, she isn't going to need special accomodations right away. Once you are in the routine, you will be able to catch up a little. Ask her what she thinks! K. liked to sleep in a recliner, flat made her back hurt, so that's what we worked around. When she napped, I did chores. If Ginny is OK with it, you can do chores while she has her chemo. You'll know after a few, if it is gonna bother her. Did they prescribe nausea meds with it? (they gave K some in an IV,with chemo, and some pills for if she had trouble later). Never opened the pills! I hope Ginny's goes like that. Don't sweat it 'til you see it. OK?

 

[ilporcupine]

End to a perfect day.

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Acer, sorry we kinda tromped on your good news...Congrats!

 

[Acer50]

I hope so too, 2L, Im rooting for you guys from here... We skipped some of that prelim, because she was already in hospital, but yep, it is a grind, at first. Chemo was slow drip, so expect a couple hours. Our clinic had TV/VCR/DVD combos, so you could take movies. Or a good book. Lotta a** time.

Our prayers are with you. Healing energy sent


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[Janet H]

Relax a little. Prioritize. Do the most important stuff. If you have to, let something go. Don't drive yourself crazy with worry. Take it as it comes.
Probably nothing is going to change immediately, other than a little nausea, maybe. I understood Ginny to be mobile, yes? If so, she isn't going to need special accomodations right away. Once you are in the routine, you will be able to catch up a little. Ask her what she thinks! K. liked to sleep in a recliner, flat made her back hurt, so that's what we worked around. When she napped, I did chores. If Ginny is OK with it, you can do chores while she has her chemo. You'll know after a few, if it is gonna bother her. Did they prescribe nausea meds with it? (they gave K some in an IV,with chemo, and some pills for if she had trouble later). Never opened the pills! I hope Ginny's goes like that. Don't sweat it 'til you see it. OK?

Il, I'm sure it isn't easy for you to dredge up these old memories, but it's so kind of you to offer this information for Pat and Ginny. Did you have any contact with a support group at the time?

 

[Bea-FL]

Relax a little. Prioritize. Do the most important stuff. If you have to, let something go. Don't drive yourself crazy with worry. Take it as it comes.
Probably nothing is going to change immediately, other than a little nausea, maybe. I understood Ginny to be mobile, yes? If so, she isn't going to need special accomodations right away. Once you are in the routine, you will be able to catch up a little. Ask her what she thinks! K. liked to sleep in a recliner, flat made her back hurt, so that's what we worked around. When she napped, I did chores. If Ginny is OK with it, you can do chores while she has her chemo. You'll know after a few, if it is gonna bother her. Did they prescribe nausea meds with it? (they gave K some in an IV,with chemo, and some pills for if she had trouble later). Never opened the pills! I hope Ginny's goes like that. Don't sweat it 'til you see it. OK?

Great advice! Patrick take a break, IL is right. Besides, you don't want Ginny feeling guilty that you are doing so much and not taking care of yourself.

IL Hugs to you for helping Pat which dredges up memories that hurt.

 

[lulu836]

STOP​

Take a breath. Get a drink of something icy and sit! You are making too many advance plans. Nothing you plan for tomorrow is going to happen in the orderly, listed way you are counting on. Life is messy. End stage disease is even messier. Those of us in that condition welcome every new day that has us in it. We don't plan ahead.......we celebrate that we have the opportunity to spend time with the folks that love and support us. Batteries and beds don't really matter. If something needs doing there will be somebody who really wants to help who will ask if there is anything they can do. Answer?........"YES, please and thank you!".

For those things that only you can do learn to compartmentalize. Quit assigning everything to your "immediately" compartment and put some things in the "tomorrow" or "whenever" compartment. Your main and only focus for the foreseeable future is to make absolutely certain that Ginny's daily experience is as easy and as comfortable as humanly possible by presenting her with your smiling face and her favorite warm beverage every morning. No matter the circumstances on any given day you have to exude confidence. Stop doing the Chicken Little thing!

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