A change of life ahead......

[Kobione]

Just to update you all - David had some back pain which was identified as a torn muscle, (and is healing), but over the last couple of weeks the pain has changed and moved slightly , so he discussed it with the Oncologist on his last visit.

It resulted in quite a scary day on Friday. At David's last onco visit the cancer indicators has risen somewhat, so the Oncologist scheduled a CT scan for last Friday. Went in  to Bendigo and had a nice morning, meeting up with our daughter and one G'Daughter, nice lunch, when I got my letter Q photo and then off for the CT. All done, and headed home.

Got home and twenty minutes later David got a phone call from a Radiologist - 'We have found something of concern on the CT scan. Can you get yourself straight to the Emergency Department asap, will send an ambulance if you need.' Thank goodness I had only had two mouthfuls of my sherry & tonic, so off we went again 5 minutes later.

Got to ED, which was chockablock, waited 90 minutes for triage assessment, then admitted straight away. They wanted him to lie as flat as possible, which is difficult because he has no esophageal sphincter, and we were told that there had been more cancer spots detected in the lungs - still only small ones, but also some unusual activity in the spinal area, which had resulted in spinal cord compression, which was causing the now intense pain. They told us an MRI was the only way they could tell more but then couldn't be done  at that time, so he had to stay in the ED cubicle under constant monitoring, as there were no ward beds available. We were told that he would probably have to be transferred to Melbourne to s specialist centre and potentially have surgery on his spine, and metal plates inserted to keep the vertebrae apart, as they were collapsing, but couldn't be confirmed until he had an MRI.

I left about 11.00pm and got home just after midnight, gave Kelly & Brodie a very quick and late tea and that was it.

Visited again yesterday. Oncologist and Neurologist had conducted a neurological examination of every muscle in his body, from his toe tips to the top of his head. No significant deterioration in sensation, movement or general strength, so that was positive, but they really pushed to get him an MRI done, which they did early afternoon. Results immediately sent to the major cancer centre in Melbourne for assessment, and we were not 'officially' informed of results, but we did overhear a conversation. Although the spinal compression is causing the pain, there was very little damage to the spinal column, and they mentioned that the CT scan, although not specifically for this purpose, was perfectly timed and had detected the problem very, very early, so surgery may not be needed.

Guessing that he will, be taken off chemo this week, given a short break, and then put on radiotherapy to target the new spots, and if his reaction is as good as last time, things might stabilize for a bit longer. Will know more after todays visit, thank you all for allowing me to 'let this out', sorry it's a bit long!!

[Ryewolf]

Sounds like both you and David are having a bad time at the moment, but hope you both pull through okay. Thoughts are with you both.

[Hatter]

Testing times, Dee.  Best wishes to you & David.

 

[Denis]

Thoughts and best wishes Dee.

[Kobione]

Thank you for the nice thoughts. David is still in hospital, but things are a bit better. Looks like he will not require spinal surgery, they are going to use radiotherapy to target whatever it is. He has been in a ward bed for the last two nights, which was a lot quieter, so he slept better, and late yesterday he was told that he could be released from full time bed rest. Another little positive step - visiting again today and, because the weekend is now over, maybe we will know more ab out what is ahead.

[johntwo]

Thinking of you Dee.  Davids problems are worrying enough but the stress you're going through won't be any fun either.  Keep us in touch.

[Clicker]

Oh Dee .....just caught up with this ... What a time you are having on the other side of the world ....I'm in awe of the fortitude you are showing in such challenging  circumstances  and sending you my very best wishes to reinforce your positive and determined mindset ... You must both be exhausted  too  so moving in the midst of all this seems like a superhuman feat to be attempted ... You must be related to Superwoman I think !

[Kobione]

Thank you Polly - Superwoman - I don't think so, you got it pretty right - Mrs Exhausted fits me better just now!! Off to Bendigo again today for what may be, we don't know as yet, David's last radiotherapy session for now. It is hitting him so hard - worse than last time and he is  now so weak that I have to organise a wheel chair to get him from the car park and into the hospital. Won't know more until later today, or may be a few days until another MRI is scheduled.

[Clicker]

Good grief ... It seems to be  such a relentless road you are on ...Are you still waiting to get something done for your hip replacement that is due too .. ... Any idea when the move will happen as it seems David still has to attend the hospital  near where you are for  treatment ... You are in my thoughts  Dee  and hoping  there is some light at the end of this interminable tunnel  you've been in ... ... You know  it's always good to let off steam on here when you feel you've gotta scream...  so even if all we see is "ARGGHHHHHHHHH"...  We'll be able to empathise ....xx 

[Kobione]

Polly I have a specialist surgical appointment early December, so won't know more about any waiting time until then. I am managing, but do get a bit tired, and frustrated with so many things I'd like to do but can't. If things keep going ahead with our house contract it should finalise about the same time - I think second week in December, so only about 6 weeks to get things done. I am trying to pack at least one box per day, or empty one cupboard, or take stuff I no longer need to a charity shop, just to make it easier to manage whatever is left.

It was David's last radiotherapy session today, so next appointment is 13 Nov. with his specialist oncologist, who will have the future plan sorted, so we will know more then. He is in a lot of pain, and very weak, but hopes that, as he has been told to slowly come off one of the meds he was on, he will feel better. Don't know as yet, but at least it's not a Bendigo trip every day for a while. We have now also found that there is an Oncology centre based in Warragul, (there didn't used to be), so even appointment time will only be maybe 15/20 minute trips, not an hour each way as it is now - still better than 3 hours each way to Melbourne though!.

I was supposed to go to our son's for this Thursday to have a Grandparent's Day with our Grandson Troy, but that can't happen now, shame, but looking after David has to come first.

[Kobione]

Will not be around much - things are going downhill over here, sorry.

[Clicker]

Oh dear Dee.... words feel simply inadequate ... but you are in my thoughts and prayers  ..xxx

[johntwo]

Hard to know what to say Dee except that our thoughts are with you.  Hang on in  there.

[Denis]

So sorry to hear the latest Dee

No words come to mind for how you are, I will be in Oz next week and will at least ring you if thats OK. Fully understandable if a meet is not on the cards.

Please look after yourself too.

Denis.

[Ryewolf]

So sorry to hear this Dee, thoughts are with you and David at  this time.

[Kobione]

Thank you for the nice thoughts. David now has more detected cancer spots in his lungs and now also in the liver. treatment plan will be changed to more aggressive, but not until after another MRI next week.

We are still in the middle of the moving issue, but it looks like our son has come up with a rental suggestion that might fit the bill for the next 6 months or so. David is now so weak he is almost immobile and sort of sleeps about 20 hours day, meanwhile I am still on my crutches and trying to do everything, so I'm pretty exhausted.

1 hour ago, Denis said:

 I will be in Oz next week and will at least ring you if thats OK. Fully understandable if a meet is not on the cards.

 

Have a safe and comfortable flight over here Denis, and yes, please ring, when suitable for you.

Off to Bendigo again today for some more pain medication for David, will update as and when I can.

[Hatter]

Thinking of you, Dee.

 

[Kobione]

Just an update for you - David's second MRI showed that the new cancer spots had reacted well to the radiotherapy, but - they also discovered a crack in one of the vertebrae in his spine. Probably caused by a very nasty fall as he got out of the car on the day I brought him home after discharge from the hospital,  which he would not 'open up about'. Since then we have really struggled at home, had the Palliative Care Team assessment, and another Oncology visit, and at that he was immediately admitted to the Hospice for a specialist team to work on pain relief, because his pain levels have been 12/10.

Have been in to Bendigo every day for the last week and today things look a bit better. They have changed his medication completely and he is now on morphine based meds, don't know exactly what, but it does seem to be managing the pain. They do not want to discharge him until after this weekend, just to be sure that things are under control. 

He seems to be a lot clearer in his mind too, so if it works he should be home again, and I might even get a bit of time to catch up - hopefully, I am really missing my time on here, so I hope to be back, even if just a bit, soon.

[FUJI]

Thinking of you both Dee..... XXXX

FUJI

[Clicker]

In my thoughts Dee.... A step in the right direction if the pain is  getting under some control for David ..Your fortitude is inspiring  .. from both of you xxx

[Hatter]

Thanks for the update, Dee.  Fingers crossed you can get David back home soon.

 

[Denis]

Was good to speak with you for a short while when I was over in Oz Dee. Really sorry we did not get the chance to meet, i thought you had moved but knowing you were still in the bendingo area I wonder if we could have managed a meet while we were at Halls Gap up in the Grampians/

Best wishes to David from us all here, and as for yourself, please take care... stay safe, stay strong.

not bad typing for someone who has had a skinful of an extremely good Bourbon tonight at the firms yearly 'do' how did three drivers and a few warehousemen drink £765 of booze...hic.

 

[johntwo]

Thoughts are with you Dee.  Hope thing continue upwards enough to let you have some joy over Christmas.  Stay strong.