Herbie braved the treacherous steps and walkway to go get the newspaper
When will spring be here?
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Though the weather tried to take us off course, Dad was able to get his cat scan yesterday. We had to change from a morning appointment to the afternoon because of icy roads. Getting down the driveway was the worst part. I almost slid into the mailbox. But we made it there and back without a scratch.
For those of you who read this and knew that he had an appointment yesterday and may have mentioned it to him and he didn't know a thing about it, well, that was my doing. I know it sounds sneaky but I didn't tell Dad about his appointment until yesterday morning. We've been noticing this pattern of Dad having a really rough night the night before appointments. Other times he sleeps well, sleeps in, has an easy morning. But on appointment days, he is up a lot at night, confused, anxious and wakes up at the crack of dawn and can't go back to sleep. So, as sneaky as it was, it worked. He got up, had breakfast and then I told him, and the morning was so much easier. The procedure was super easy. They were able to use the port for the IV instead of veins, which in Dad's case is good news. I remembered to put the numbing lotion on an hour ahead of time so he didn't feel a thing. They scanned his chest, abdomen and pelvis. His doctor called me last night to tell me that a blood clot showed up in Dad's lungs. This is not good and could be potentially lethal. It is likely a result of cancer, chemo and inactivity. So we sent Jay out on icy roads to pick up a prescription for a blood thinner, which Dad started last night. Of course the medicine has side effects but the doctor felt it was important for him to take them. Sigh. The tumor is "stable." That means it hasn't shrunk and it hasn't grown. His gallbladder is definitely smaller and thinner so that's good. We have decided to stop chemo and let Dad regain some strength and vitality. Although he is a chemo superstar, the most profound affects on him are more confusion ("chemo brain") and extreme fatigue and lethargy. I hope once he has a chance to get it out of his system he will feel stronger and have more energy. And then March will be here and maybe we will all thaw out. Dad is bummed. He took this as very bad news. He doesn't fully understand it but does know that the blood clot is one more thing going wrong in his body. That stinks. So, calls, Skypes, visits and expressions of love are greatly appreciated. And of course prayers. Second port infusion down and now we wait to see what the cat scan reveals. That's scheduled for next Wednesday. As usual, Dad did great with the treatment, though he'd had a rough night the night before so he slept most of the day away. Sherry is visiting from Florida. Geez is it nice to have someone else around handling things for a bit. Jay is great with that on the weekend but it's nice having my sister here for company and as an ally. :) We are all heading to our wonderful neighbors the Grosmans for a Friday the 13th gathering. I hope yours is a fun and safe one. Happy Valentine's Day, too. Wow, what a difference a port makes. Though I'd rather it be a port of call or a port wine, Dad got his first infusion through the port today and it was so much easier on him. Over and done in two hours and no poking and sticking trying to find a vein that cooperates. Yesterday Dr. Kritz told him he's a chemo superstar. Dad's one of the few patients he's had who handles it so well. I hope it's shrinking the cancer, too. Speaking of which, he is finally being scheduled for a second cat scan to see what's happening with the tumor. That will take place in a couple of weeks. Dr. Kritz read Herbie the riot act about the importance of getting daily activity and he assured him all was safe to do. So yesterday I dropped him at the health club - the big one where Jay plays squash - so he could swim. I felt like a parent leaving her little one at preschool for the first time. Sorry to use that analogy but it's true. I was worried about him getting lost or falling or God knows what. And wouldn't you know, he did fine. He did exercises on the pool and showered and made his way back to the front. He was quite pleased with himself. Thanks again for your cards and calls and Skype sessions. P We are having all kinds of email issues for Dad's accounts and I'm not about to get him a new computer considering how challenging changes in technology can be. So if you really want to communicate with him, call, Skype or send letters through the mail. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
Nothing much to report. Dad is waiting to see the doctor this week and find out whether he will get chemo. It will be the first time with his new port, which will hopefully make things a lot easier.
Dad has a new phone. We tried to simplify by getting him a flip phone instead of the iphone but I think anything new at this point is difficult for him. I probably should have left well enough alone but too late now. So, if you notice it sounds really bad when you speak to him by phone, tell him to move it away from his mouth. Any encouragement you can offer him to get some activity would be appreciated. He wants to wait until he feels better, but it's a catch 22 really. He feels worse because he's not doing anything. I am encouraging daily walks (rarely happening) and trying to get him to start working out in the pool at the gym. He may be anxious, too, about being in an unfamiliar place but hopefully he'll give it a try and find out he can do it. I'm sure it's hard for everyone but Dad has been fortunate to be in good shape and be active and have youthful, active friends. So now, the person he sees in the mirror is hard to accept. It's sad. I'll report in after the doctor's appointments. |
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