Dare I say it?
today has been 1 week, since the last doctor appointment, 7 days with no doctor office waiting rooms, forms to fill out, waiting time. The next appointment is scheduled for next wednesday at the colon-rectal clinic. Maybe good is in order, I know 7 days is a blessing. With Roger's pain diminished, it has been more pleasant and less stressful. And the things he saw the colon-rectal doctor for (no details) have diminished as well. Rainy day here, good day for napping, soup, and old tv programs. Pam plans to visit today (broken toe and all...) so hoping for napping or cleaning. Really need to clean, too tired to go to town. Love to all, thanks for prayers and thoughts on our behalf.
Roger and his sister, Becky relax by the creek
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
October 8, 2012
Life is on an even keel around here. Roger doing okay, lot of pain gone from the muscle spasm problem. I find myself in the role of pessimist, wondering what is next. Day by day, one moment at a time. Making the best of the non-crisis days, trying to catch up on sleep, but not feeling rested.
Six hours is about the most Roger sleeps at night, and he tries to let me sleep when he doesn't wake me up getting up and out of bed.
Will be taking the Zytiga at 4 a.m., hoping it will be a little easier since we are having a hard time with the 3 hour period of not eating or drinking anything but water.
The pessimism comes from being the one to clean up all the messes that occur on a day to day basis, the body fluids I clean up on the carpet, the bed, and clothes. Changing the urostomy bag and/or appliance. Dispensing the meds into the little sorter things that I thought only "old" people used. Keeping things in everyday life becomes difficult (I forgot to pay the trash service, fortunately they are a small company and understanding) doing the dishes and laundry become herculean tasks. And people ask how Roger is doing... I answer in awkward answers, not knowing anymore they know and listening to their suggestions, and then toning them out trying to think and do what I can to keep Roger comfortable. And the doctor visits, I have to take my notebook and take notes for the simplest instructions, and refer back to my notes on a question to question basis day to day. Most weeks involve at least one doctor or another and the only blessing comes from those weeks, now months we have not had to go to the ER or hospital. The doctors' offices are far kinder it would seem now.
and I will say my prayers tonight ...
Six hours is about the most Roger sleeps at night, and he tries to let me sleep when he doesn't wake me up getting up and out of bed.
Will be taking the Zytiga at 4 a.m., hoping it will be a little easier since we are having a hard time with the 3 hour period of not eating or drinking anything but water.
The pessimism comes from being the one to clean up all the messes that occur on a day to day basis, the body fluids I clean up on the carpet, the bed, and clothes. Changing the urostomy bag and/or appliance. Dispensing the meds into the little sorter things that I thought only "old" people used. Keeping things in everyday life becomes difficult (I forgot to pay the trash service, fortunately they are a small company and understanding) doing the dishes and laundry become herculean tasks. And people ask how Roger is doing... I answer in awkward answers, not knowing anymore they know and listening to their suggestions, and then toning them out trying to think and do what I can to keep Roger comfortable. And the doctor visits, I have to take my notebook and take notes for the simplest instructions, and refer back to my notes on a question to question basis day to day. Most weeks involve at least one doctor or another and the only blessing comes from those weeks, now months we have not had to go to the ER or hospital. The doctors' offices are far kinder it would seem now.
and I will say my prayers tonight ...
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Wednesday
Appointment with yet another doctor today to check on the rear end of things, henorrhoids that is. Roger not looking forward to this is any way shape or form, and this is very understandable. New chemo, Zytiga, is causing further fatigue, just enough energy to sit on the porch in the sunshine. Calls to make in to doctors, urine output is dark. Will update after procto visit.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Good Day
Good day today, nice weather, Roger sat on the porch reading, and visiting with Gary Bell, cousin.
Received approval from prescription drug insurance for the chemo drug, Zytgia. At a cost of $46/month. Roger very happy. This is a milder chemotherapy with fewer side effects reported. Should receive it in the next day or two. Roger is still zippy from the double steroid dose in preparation for the chemo which did not occur yesterday, slept 3 hours last night and tried all day to nap but couldn't, but he sure had the conversation going. Was talking to Shasta, my dog, when no one else would listen. Expecting he will do quite a bit of sleeping in the next day or two. Overall, doing okay but frustrated he can not walk very far, the mail box walk makes him worn out and breathless.
Received approval from prescription drug insurance for the chemo drug, Zytgia. At a cost of $46/month. Roger very happy. This is a milder chemotherapy with fewer side effects reported. Should receive it in the next day or two. Roger is still zippy from the double steroid dose in preparation for the chemo which did not occur yesterday, slept 3 hours last night and tried all day to nap but couldn't, but he sure had the conversation going. Was talking to Shasta, my dog, when no one else would listen. Expecting he will do quite a bit of sleeping in the next day or two. Overall, doing okay but frustrated he can not walk very far, the mail box walk makes him worn out and breathless.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Chemo day, NOT!
Taxotere infusion was scheduled for today but after visiting with the doctor, Roger is moving on to Zytgia. (a chemo pill). Taxotere was stopped because of side effects, and drug companies will not dispense Zytgia unless taxotere (Docetaxel) has been tried. Now if we can just get our prescription drug company to play in the band. Have to wait 2 more days to see what the co-pay will be (it is a $6000/month drug--yes there should be 3 zeroes). Roger happy, happy not to be chemoized today. (hey, I think I have a new word there).
Bleeding and seeping from bladder continues, and worsens when he is up and active.
Appointment with colorectal specialist scheduled for next week. Don't know when, still need to make that call, but we have received the paperwork to fill out.
Straightened out the mess with urostomy supply order today after 2 weeks of calls between urologist and medical supply company. Yea!
Pat weary, Roger zippy (from steroids), Pat happy that Roger feels good today!
Bleeding and seeping from bladder continues, and worsens when he is up and active.
Appointment with colorectal specialist scheduled for next week. Don't know when, still need to make that call, but we have received the paperwork to fill out.
Straightened out the mess with urostomy supply order today after 2 weeks of calls between urologist and medical supply company. Yea!
Pat weary, Roger zippy (from steroids), Pat happy that Roger feels good today!
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