Sat., May 30, 2015:

Small changes over the last few weeks.

We had an overnight caregiver last week and this week, four nights each week.  She was temporary because we have a young man starting this next week.  Quite a process to get to the right point with all this, but Mike has been quite accepting of the need for me to get some sleep (although he still questions the cost once in a while!). 

Doctor P ordered a scan; round and round we went.  Mike is allergic to IVP contrast solution, but he's been told he can be pre-medicated for it.  Silverton Hospital asked where the allergy is documented (even the doctor's office scheduler got frustrated, "Do you mind if we try here at Salem Hospital?")  Salem said his reaction had been too severe to risk it, even with pre-med.  So switch to MRI -- insurance will have to approve, of course.  Got scheduled for Woodburn, pretty cool.  Well, maybe not. When we got there, check-in said there will have to be another appointment. There are two "studies," and they each take an hour. As they were lining Mike up to go in the tube, "Now put your arms up over your head," I knew we were sunk.  They started sliding him in, and he couldn't breathe. Tried the arms at the side.  He made it through several pictures, but by then had to pee.  And there was NO way he was going back in there.

What's happening on Monday?  Oh, just a CT with contrast and pre-medications. *sigh* At Salem Hospital.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be chemo.  

Happy news is we got a (used) field mower attachment for the tractor!  Thanks to our neighbor John who has been keeping a look out for one.

Gratitude: Mike was feeling well enough today to mow between the garden and berry rows, PLUS both the front and back yards.

Mon., May 11, 2015: fourth round of chemo

Mike still has his persistent cough, so he's really tired.  Doc told us today that last Thursday's CT doesn't show anything (like pleurisy or pneumonia), but because it's been three weeks, he prescribed an antibiotic.  I'm not so crazy about that, because we have so much unnecessary antibiotic use in this country.

Doc mentioned a lymph node near the chest is about 1', but I didn't ask how that compared to two months ago!  Or compared to whatever the normal size is for that node. Argh. 

During today's chemo, daughter Brooke came to sit for an hour, and I got a play date with the granddaughter!  Remember, now, I was told at the last chemo that either I or another caretaker needed to be with Mike, because they weren't staffed to help him to the bathroom.  Hah.  Brooke texted me later, "The nurse is taking him to pee, LOL."  Talk-to-text couldn't quite translate me screaming, "Seriously??"

We are getting closer to getting overnight care here at home. 
I called four possibilities yesterday. Our location was too far for one. One call went to, "Voice mail has not been set up..."  A third hasn't answered my message.  And the fourth we will interview this week, but  he is currently helping his grandmother in California and might not be available until at least three weeks (and maybe not until two months). Mike wanted a male, because of the physical lifting, but I think I will open it up for women.........

Second day of chemo tomorrow will be very short.

We expected Mike to be scheduled for a scan in two weeks, but the doctor said today that with the CT last week, and the chest x-ray the week before, he will wait until after six treatments for a full body scan.  Two weeks after the sixth treatment will put us at July 6/7. 

Friday, May 1: catchup on last treatment and checkups

Mike's last chemo treatments, April 20 and 21, went just fine.  But we were told I (or another caretaker) will need to stay with him because they are not staffed to help him with mobility issues.  In other words, if he needs help getting up to use the restroom, they won't do it.  Ptooey.

His biggest issue right now is a persistent, deep, horrible cough; it's going on 10 days now.  At yesterday's doctor's appointment, he ordered a chest x-ray and the result was 'no problem, no pneumonia or anything else.'  Ptooey.

A prescription for the cough was sent a week ago and not filled until two days ago.  Supply issues and non-communication.  In the end, the med didn't help.  Ptooey.

On the good (or 'non-Ptooey') side, we had lunch with a good friend yesterday.  And y'all know we've been having the best weather. Setting up the garden, having plowed five rows and added compost.  We had 10 yards of bark dust delivered to dress up the landscaping. Bought kiwi, so I need to finish the materials list and get the trellis built.

Daughter Brooke (with Kylea) came Monday to help with outdoor stuff.  We were working and talking in the little side yard, with Kylea making some announcement from out front, until Brooke listened and started laughing.  I looked up and realized it was, "Look out, make way, tree coming through!"  She was carrying a potted plant, an ocean spray, about as big as she is!  So three plants got put in the ground.  And on the back deck, after Grandpa got up and went inside, she slid right into his chair. "Kylea, do you want to go in the garden with Mommy, or on the tractor with Grandma?"  Her reply, "Nah, I'm just hanging out."


Next appointment will be in ten days for chemo.

Gratitude: Sleep.  We get it when we can.