I have good news and the daily chuckle.
Lumpy was moved to a ward the night before last. ( this is good) That night Lumpy decided that he wanted to go home, and for all of you that know him, he was going to GO HOME. The nurses asked where he was going and he made up a story that he had left his flashlight in the ICU and was going to go get it. The nurses "went " with him to ICU so he improvised and "took" his flash light from ICU ( it says in big block letters property of ICU on the side.)They returned to the ward. Later he packed his "stuff" and called a bunch of family and friends all across the country at 1:30am to come pick him up. He then tried to walk out right past the nursing station real cool like. They caught him. So they got him to watch TV and then snuck up on him with a sedative and stuck him. He was a little indignant about that. They let him sleep in the TV room. The next morning he was much more reasonable and admitted he needs to stay put until the doctors say he can go. He was having a great chuckle relaying this story yesterday afternoon. If I have omitted any details I am sure this is one that will improve with the retelling of it.
As the story implies he now has access to a telephone at his bed side he is allowed to use it to phone family and friends, I don't know how incoming calls work or if they work but we will keep you posted. Please note if anyone gets phone calls at inappropriate times of day please let Brock know so that he can address this with Lumpy or just catch him again.He He.
Lumpy can now receive gifts in his room. He has expressed a preference for not receiving flowers but thank you for the ones he already received. Cards would be nice. Adelle and Louise have sent him "Sunshine's sister" to keep him company( Sunshine is their dog and her sister is the cutest stuffy). Lumpy is also on a very restricted diet so food would also not be a good idea.
He has been delighted to receive the emails from all those of you who sent them. We all thank you for this ray of sunshine in his day. Please keep them coming.
Medically he is showing improvement daily. He has contracted another infection and is back on anti-biotics. He is still being fed through his gastric tube but he is allowed clear liquids in very small quantities by mouth. He can suck on ice chips. During his radiation treatments this was out of the question due to the pain in his mouth. He is very much enjoying ice chips without pain. There still is no ETA on discharge from the hospital, but there definitely is good forward progress. No update as of yet on the status of his cancer except we are just waiting to see how good of a job the radiation did on it.
Thank you for all the good energy, please keep it coming and I will keep the updates coming.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Contacting Lumpy
Hi everyone, Lumpy is doing much better, in my non medical opinion. The weather has been sunny and warm the last couple of days and this seems to be a good omen. He was up in a wheel chair taking a tour of the hospital gardens yesterday and today.
Thank you for all the well wishes that have been coming in. We are trying to forward them all to him. There is a more direct route. The hospital has a email service and they will deliver a personal message right to his bed side during business hours five days a week. The address is youvegotmail.smh@fraserhealth.ca He has really appreciated the messages that everyone has been sending and he will probably enjoy recieving personal emails at the hospital.
He is still getting the vip treatment as a bed in a normal ward has not opened up yet. So no flowers yet. The full hospital name is Surry Memorial Hospital. I will let every one know when it is o.k. to send flowers excetera.
Thank you for all the well wishes that have been coming in. We are trying to forward them all to him. There is a more direct route. The hospital has a email service and they will deliver a personal message right to his bed side during business hours five days a week. The address is youvegotmail.smh@fraserhealth.ca He has really appreciated the messages that everyone has been sending and he will probably enjoy recieving personal emails at the hospital.
He is still getting the vip treatment as a bed in a normal ward has not opened up yet. So no flowers yet. The full hospital name is Surry Memorial Hospital. I will let every one know when it is o.k. to send flowers excetera.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Update on Lumpy
Hi everyone, Lumpy is doing much better. He is ready to be moved from ICU to a ward bed. There just isn't any beds right now. So he gets the deluxe treatment for a little while longer. There is no real schedule or time line to how long he will be in the hospital. We will just have to see how his body copes with what has been done to it so far.
He knows that I made the previous posting and he asked for me to continue to update for him. He sends his greeting to everyone. As things progress we will continue updating for him untill he can do it himself. We have been forwarding the well wishes and he appreciates the good energy that everyone is sending his way.
He knows that I made the previous posting and he asked for me to continue to update for him. He sends his greeting to everyone. As things progress we will continue updating for him untill he can do it himself. We have been forwarding the well wishes and he appreciates the good energy that everyone is sending his way.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
On Lumpys behalf
Hi everyone I, obviously, am not Lumpy. He has had a glich in his plans and the plans of his doctors. He is currently in the surry hospital. His condition is stable but he is on the ICU ward, with 24h care. We currently expect this to be a temopary set back. Any family or immediate friends that wish more info. call Brock. 778-995-6765
Thursday, June 12, 2008
JUST 1 TO GO
Yoski, Hi Everyone,
I am here watching Brock display his feeding talents. We have gone to the Open Bottle Method of feeding me from The Closed System. The new system is somewhat more labour intensive but not overly so. I looks my actual feeding time will be cut in half.
I woke up this morning suffering from a full blown anxiety attack. I was hyperventilating and could not regain control of my breathing. Everyone but me knew what was happening to me but me. Luckily we had lots of time. I took a Mild strength dose of gravol through my feeding tube. and as we were about to leave for the Hospital I took and Attivan to relax me that extra little amount.
When my turn came I was relaxed and ready for the Penultimate Radiation Session. It was a piece of cake as both Brock and I knew it would be. After leaving the Radiation area we called in to see the Dentists and arranged an appointment for Tuesday Aug. 12 and I also Have an appointment with Dr. Leong on the same day. Now I'll coordinate a visit with Dr. Anderson the Surgeon for the same day or the next.
Things are starting to happen. I'll now go into a six week waiting period which will give my body time to recover from the destructive forces of the Radiation Treatments. I only have to get through tomorrow and knowing what happened today, tomorrow will be apiece of cake,
I will post then and over the weekend.
Bye for now
Rick
I am here watching Brock display his feeding talents. We have gone to the Open Bottle Method of feeding me from The Closed System. The new system is somewhat more labour intensive but not overly so. I looks my actual feeding time will be cut in half.
I woke up this morning suffering from a full blown anxiety attack. I was hyperventilating and could not regain control of my breathing. Everyone but me knew what was happening to me but me. Luckily we had lots of time. I took a Mild strength dose of gravol through my feeding tube. and as we were about to leave for the Hospital I took and Attivan to relax me that extra little amount.
When my turn came I was relaxed and ready for the Penultimate Radiation Session. It was a piece of cake as both Brock and I knew it would be. After leaving the Radiation area we called in to see the Dentists and arranged an appointment for Tuesday Aug. 12 and I also Have an appointment with Dr. Leong on the same day. Now I'll coordinate a visit with Dr. Anderson the Surgeon for the same day or the next.
Things are starting to happen. I'll now go into a six week waiting period which will give my body time to recover from the destructive forces of the Radiation Treatments. I only have to get through tomorrow and knowing what happened today, tomorrow will be apiece of cake,
I will post then and over the weekend.
Bye for now
Rick
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Two to go
Hi all,
2 more treatments and I'm done with this stage of the cure. I got the go ahead from Dr. Leong to go home next week. He'll want to see me in about 6 weeks after that and I will try to co-ordinate my visit with him and my visit with Dr. Anderson the surgeon. Dr. Leong seems to be pleased with the results of the Radiation thus far. I heard him say the lump has reduced substantially. It's now less than 4 cms and at the start it was 6.2 cms x 3.5 x 5.5.
Dr. Leong has topped up the perscriptions for my pain meds. I will have to get the internal stitch which is securing the food tube taken out in Prince George or Vanderhoof. I'm sure that can be arranged. Brock & I will stock up on my Encore Plus requirements next week. Dr. Leong said the Food Tube may not be removed for 4 to 6 months. I wonder if he is also thinking ahead to when I may require surgery to remove the lump.
All is going well and I am in pretty good shape today. I slept from about 12:30 AM through to 7:30 this morning and was only up once to use the bathroom and take my pills. I had a snooze when Brock & I got home from the hospital this morning and while I was being fed. I'll grab another nap a little later on this afternoon.
Dolores will drive me home in my car next week (June 19) and we will probably take 2 days. I will stay at her house until I return to Vancouver for my checkups. Dolores is a full time Practical Nurse at the hospital in Vanderhoof and she is highly regarded by her superiors and co workers. The FVCC are pleased with her credentials and know I will be in good hands.
More to follow tomorrow.
Rick
2 more treatments and I'm done with this stage of the cure. I got the go ahead from Dr. Leong to go home next week. He'll want to see me in about 6 weeks after that and I will try to co-ordinate my visit with him and my visit with Dr. Anderson the surgeon. Dr. Leong seems to be pleased with the results of the Radiation thus far. I heard him say the lump has reduced substantially. It's now less than 4 cms and at the start it was 6.2 cms x 3.5 x 5.5.
Dr. Leong has topped up the perscriptions for my pain meds. I will have to get the internal stitch which is securing the food tube taken out in Prince George or Vanderhoof. I'm sure that can be arranged. Brock & I will stock up on my Encore Plus requirements next week. Dr. Leong said the Food Tube may not be removed for 4 to 6 months. I wonder if he is also thinking ahead to when I may require surgery to remove the lump.
All is going well and I am in pretty good shape today. I slept from about 12:30 AM through to 7:30 this morning and was only up once to use the bathroom and take my pills. I had a snooze when Brock & I got home from the hospital this morning and while I was being fed. I'll grab another nap a little later on this afternoon.
Dolores will drive me home in my car next week (June 19) and we will probably take 2 days. I will stay at her house until I return to Vancouver for my checkups. Dolores is a full time Practical Nurse at the hospital in Vanderhoof and she is highly regarded by her superiors and co workers. The FVCC are pleased with her credentials and know I will be in good hands.
More to follow tomorrow.
Rick
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Just 3 to go
Hi everyone,
Notwithstanding all I said yesterday afternoon, last night was one of my poorer nights in the past little while. The Fentanyl patch started to separate from my skin yesterday afternoon and as the day wore on I became more and more agitated and the pain in my mouth was very real. Brock applied an Opsite patch over the Fentanyl patch. As luck would have it, the Opsite patch did not work as it should.
I slept very poorly, had a series of bad dreams and an ongoing cough and an incredibaly sore throat. I took my Fraser Valley Mouthwash as often as possible and as much Hydromorphone as I felt was safe. Needless to say last night was very long and difficult.
The Public Health Nurse came to see us a 10:00 this morning and checked my Fentanyl patch with the Onsite and she opinied that we get a nurse to look at it this afternoon. She changed the Butterfly patch and Brock cleaned the wound. Everything in this area is aok.
At 1:30 I was on the table ready for my Radiation treatment when a phlem ball appeared in my throat just as the attendants put on my mask, I immediately started to hyperfentilate and suffer a minor anxiety attack. They called in the next patient and phoned for the house nurse to come and see me. I explained what was happening to the nurse and she administered and ativan tablet to settle me down. 15 minutes later I was back on the table receiving Radiation treatment #22 (just 3 left).
Brock and I then saw the dietitian and went over my plans for the balance of this week and next until I return home on Thursday June 19. Everybody is now on side with me going home. Dolores is a marvellous caregiver and the Public Health Nurse in Vanderhoof supports the decision.
When Brock and I got home from the hospital we applied a new Fentanyl patch and within an hour the relief it provides was very clear to me. Wheeeeeew!!!!!!
I'm feeling rejuevenated tonight and I hope to sleep much better. I'll post more tomorrow.
Bye for now,
Rick
Notwithstanding all I said yesterday afternoon, last night was one of my poorer nights in the past little while. The Fentanyl patch started to separate from my skin yesterday afternoon and as the day wore on I became more and more agitated and the pain in my mouth was very real. Brock applied an Opsite patch over the Fentanyl patch. As luck would have it, the Opsite patch did not work as it should.
I slept very poorly, had a series of bad dreams and an ongoing cough and an incredibaly sore throat. I took my Fraser Valley Mouthwash as often as possible and as much Hydromorphone as I felt was safe. Needless to say last night was very long and difficult.
The Public Health Nurse came to see us a 10:00 this morning and checked my Fentanyl patch with the Onsite and she opinied that we get a nurse to look at it this afternoon. She changed the Butterfly patch and Brock cleaned the wound. Everything in this area is aok.
At 1:30 I was on the table ready for my Radiation treatment when a phlem ball appeared in my throat just as the attendants put on my mask, I immediately started to hyperfentilate and suffer a minor anxiety attack. They called in the next patient and phoned for the house nurse to come and see me. I explained what was happening to the nurse and she administered and ativan tablet to settle me down. 15 minutes later I was back on the table receiving Radiation treatment #22 (just 3 left).
Brock and I then saw the dietitian and went over my plans for the balance of this week and next until I return home on Thursday June 19. Everybody is now on side with me going home. Dolores is a marvellous caregiver and the Public Health Nurse in Vanderhoof supports the decision.
When Brock and I got home from the hospital we applied a new Fentanyl patch and within an hour the relief it provides was very clear to me. Wheeeeeew!!!!!!
I'm feeling rejuevenated tonight and I hope to sleep much better. I'll post more tomorrow.
Bye for now,
Rick
Monday, June 9, 2008
Teaming today
Yoski from Rainy Surrey,
Yep, you heard that right, it's raining here in Surrey. How unusual is that? I promissed to BBQ beef ribs for Brock tonight but he says "lets have them tomorrow night Dad, its raining to hard". No wonder he doesn't know how to BBQ. With an attitude like that no one would ever learn to BBQ here on the West Coast. It rains all the time!
Session 21 is gone and in the books, just 4 more Radiation Treatments left. Now that is worth thinking about. The side effects from today's treatment are a noticable increase in the white, ropey saliva. It is an inconvenience but hardly something which bothers me. I do notice an increase in the pain around my tongue and throat areas but, the Hydromorphone is handling that as usual.
I am now looking directly at the light lumming bright at the end of the tunnel and I am beginning to get excited about stepping out into that light and putting an end to this agony. Keep on sending me your paryers and energy and anything else you think may help me get through these last 4 days.
More tomorrow,
Rick
Yep, you heard that right, it's raining here in Surrey. How unusual is that? I promissed to BBQ beef ribs for Brock tonight but he says "lets have them tomorrow night Dad, its raining to hard". No wonder he doesn't know how to BBQ. With an attitude like that no one would ever learn to BBQ here on the West Coast. It rains all the time!
Session 21 is gone and in the books, just 4 more Radiation Treatments left. Now that is worth thinking about. The side effects from today's treatment are a noticable increase in the white, ropey saliva. It is an inconvenience but hardly something which bothers me. I do notice an increase in the pain around my tongue and throat areas but, the Hydromorphone is handling that as usual.
I am now looking directly at the light lumming bright at the end of the tunnel and I am beginning to get excited about stepping out into that light and putting an end to this agony. Keep on sending me your paryers and energy and anything else you think may help me get through these last 4 days.
More tomorrow,
Rick
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Another Surrey Sunday
Hi all,
I slept better last night than I have in weeks. I went to bed at 10:30 but, I couldn't sleep so I read my bood until 12:30 AM. I took my meds and then fell asleep. I slept until 6 AM when I took more meds, went to the bathroom and went back to bed until 10:00 o'clock. WOW! is all I can say.
Brock hooked me up to the feeder and 2 hoursa later I was filled with 470 mls of Encore Plus. It was one of those lazy mornings, I read my book and fiddled with this and that. I was feeling a little out of sorts in the early afternoon so Brock and I went for a walk. When we returned we washed the kitchen and living room windows inside and out. This kinda tuckered me out and I sat down and put my feet up while Brock swept and mopped the downstairs bathroom, front hall and the kitchen floors.
By then it was time for my second meal of the day. Believe me when I say that one does not have much to look forward to when having 470 mls of Encore Plus pumped into you through the a food tube. It takes about 2 hours to pump the liquid into me and all the while I'm limited to the dinning room and kitchen. Mind you the food tube is a far better choice than trying to swallow food that just will not go down easily.
I'm feeling very good as I write this and tomorrow morning I start the last week of the 5 week Radiation Program. It feels really good to be this near to the end of the treatment period. Dolores is flying into Vancouver from Sedona Arizona on Wednesday June 18th and we plan to head for home on the 19th. I am meeting with some stiff opposition from the people at the Cancer Clinic who want me to stay around for two full weeks after the treatments end. I will look at how I am feeling as we get closer to the 18th, but for now I plan to be on my way on the morning of the 19th.
I've now had 4 really good days in a row. The pain is ever present but, it is well hidden behind the mask of pain killers. I'll have more to post tomorrow after treatment 21.
Bye for now,
Rick
I slept better last night than I have in weeks. I went to bed at 10:30 but, I couldn't sleep so I read my bood until 12:30 AM. I took my meds and then fell asleep. I slept until 6 AM when I took more meds, went to the bathroom and went back to bed until 10:00 o'clock. WOW! is all I can say.
Brock hooked me up to the feeder and 2 hoursa later I was filled with 470 mls of Encore Plus. It was one of those lazy mornings, I read my book and fiddled with this and that. I was feeling a little out of sorts in the early afternoon so Brock and I went for a walk. When we returned we washed the kitchen and living room windows inside and out. This kinda tuckered me out and I sat down and put my feet up while Brock swept and mopped the downstairs bathroom, front hall and the kitchen floors.
By then it was time for my second meal of the day. Believe me when I say that one does not have much to look forward to when having 470 mls of Encore Plus pumped into you through the a food tube. It takes about 2 hours to pump the liquid into me and all the while I'm limited to the dinning room and kitchen. Mind you the food tube is a far better choice than trying to swallow food that just will not go down easily.
I'm feeling very good as I write this and tomorrow morning I start the last week of the 5 week Radiation Program. It feels really good to be this near to the end of the treatment period. Dolores is flying into Vancouver from Sedona Arizona on Wednesday June 18th and we plan to head for home on the 19th. I am meeting with some stiff opposition from the people at the Cancer Clinic who want me to stay around for two full weeks after the treatments end. I will look at how I am feeling as we get closer to the 18th, but for now I plan to be on my way on the morning of the 19th.
I've now had 4 really good days in a row. The pain is ever present but, it is well hidden behind the mask of pain killers. I'll have more to post tomorrow after treatment 21.
Bye for now,
Rick
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Sleepy Saturday in Surrey
Yoski,
This has been one of those lazy Saturdays that I used to dream about when I was still working full time. Really, I woke up at 8:00 AM, brushed my teeth and Brock who was already up asked me if I was ready to take nourishment. I got back into the Chair ( also my bed these past 2 weeks) and he hooked me up to my automatic feeder and 2 hours later I was full of 500 mls of Encore Plus. I even slept part of the time.
I then returned the favour and made him scrambled eggs, fried up some Spam and made him toast. Truly a father and son effort today. I have never been far from my chair and napping comes very easily. As you know, the past several weeks have taken a heavy toll on me and any chance I get to grab a few extra "ZZZZ's" I take it.
I've had a second 500 mls of Encore and together we are getting the laundry and household chores done. Brock does most of the heavy work. I tire very easily and I have to remind myself that even the simplest of tasks usually wears me out very quickly. I plan to spend the rest of the weekend relaxing and enjoying my latest Robert B. Parker novel
This is the third day in a row that I feel that I have the upper hand on the Cancer and I am enjoying each of these days to the fullest.
Bye for now,
Rick
Friday, June 6, 2008
Friday June 6th
Yoski to everyone,
I only have 5 more Radiation Treatments to go and by this time next week I will be finished with this stage of the "Fight". WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've had my liquid breakfast and lunch and I feel like I am fully hydrated after weeks of being dehydrated. It also feels good to have a full load of nourishment on board. At 4:00 PM Brock will set me up with another meal consisting of 375 mls of Ensure Plus. The Dietitian thinks this is one of the better all purpose replacement diets. I have used the Ensure when I was making Shakes and Protene drinks. I know that it tastes reasonaby good to boot. Then between 8 and 10:00 tonight I will have my third full meal of the day.
On Monday Brock will scoot down to the Childrens Hospital in Vancouver and pick up a couple of cases of the Ensure Plus at $20.50 for a case of 24, 237 ml tins. That's the best price in town. I paid $10.49 for 6 cans of Ensure at the grocery store.
I am feeling really good for the 2nd day in a row. With food and norrishment as my allies I now have a chance against the "Cancer Cell Bullies". I know the pain in my mouth is "lurking" and looking for a way to get out and drive me crazy, but the schedule of Meds I'm on now seems to hold the nasties at bay. I have been sleeping well these past few nights and of course I get lots of quiet time during the day and as long as I keep eating and drinking with this new system, I will come out as the winner.
I will keep you up to date as the weekend progresses.
Bye all,
Rick, who is now almost lumpless.
I only have 5 more Radiation Treatments to go and by this time next week I will be finished with this stage of the "Fight". WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've had my liquid breakfast and lunch and I feel like I am fully hydrated after weeks of being dehydrated. It also feels good to have a full load of nourishment on board. At 4:00 PM Brock will set me up with another meal consisting of 375 mls of Ensure Plus. The Dietitian thinks this is one of the better all purpose replacement diets. I have used the Ensure when I was making Shakes and Protene drinks. I know that it tastes reasonaby good to boot. Then between 8 and 10:00 tonight I will have my third full meal of the day.
On Monday Brock will scoot down to the Childrens Hospital in Vancouver and pick up a couple of cases of the Ensure Plus at $20.50 for a case of 24, 237 ml tins. That's the best price in town. I paid $10.49 for 6 cans of Ensure at the grocery store.
I am feeling really good for the 2nd day in a row. With food and norrishment as my allies I now have a chance against the "Cancer Cell Bullies". I know the pain in my mouth is "lurking" and looking for a way to get out and drive me crazy, but the schedule of Meds I'm on now seems to hold the nasties at bay. I have been sleeping well these past few nights and of course I get lots of quiet time during the day and as long as I keep eating and drinking with this new system, I will come out as the winner.
I will keep you up to date as the weekend progresses.
Bye all,
Rick, who is now almost lumpless.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
A day of improvement
Good evening everyone,
Today was the first one in many where I actually felt like I made some headway in stomping on this disease with some of my own force. The radiation treatment today went well for me and so far I have not felt any of the depressing side effects like I usually do. The Public Health Nurse came and visited with Brock and I and was impressed with the skill and thoroughness that Brock displays when he changes the bandages and cleans the surgical wound. I have had two meals so far today and Brock is preparing the set up for the third and final meal now.
Its about time we got nourishment in me. This morning I weighted in at 93 kg down from 96.7 kg on Monday afternoon. I hope that we will stop the weight loss with the new feeding schedule. I have been relatively pain free today and that has lifted my spirits considerably.
It's nice to be able to have something positive to tell all of you after having so many bad days in a row.
I'll post again tomorrow and I have my fingers crossed that it will be as positive as this update.
Take care everyone.
Love and hugs to all,
Rick
Today was the first one in many where I actually felt like I made some headway in stomping on this disease with some of my own force. The radiation treatment today went well for me and so far I have not felt any of the depressing side effects like I usually do. The Public Health Nurse came and visited with Brock and I and was impressed with the skill and thoroughness that Brock displays when he changes the bandages and cleans the surgical wound. I have had two meals so far today and Brock is preparing the set up for the third and final meal now.
Its about time we got nourishment in me. This morning I weighted in at 93 kg down from 96.7 kg on Monday afternoon. I hope that we will stop the weight loss with the new feeding schedule. I have been relatively pain free today and that has lifted my spirits considerably.
It's nice to be able to have something positive to tell all of you after having so many bad days in a row.
I'll post again tomorrow and I have my fingers crossed that it will be as positive as this update.
Take care everyone.
Love and hugs to all,
Rick
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
G-Tube
Good afternoon everyone,
Since the last time I posted early morning June 1st, the life and times of R. David have changed is some pretty dramatic ways. First, I am well and my pain is being managed in such a way that I am unaware of the nastiness inside my mouth for the most part. My new Fentanyl patch which releases 75 mcg of relief an hour and when coupled with the Hydromorphone, 2.5 mils per hour leaves me in a comfortable state most of the time. This level of narcotics is required to bring me to this state but, it also leaves me without much of a memory or the desire to kick up my heals, that is if I new where they were.
I have been on a whirlwind ride sine Sunday Jun 1 the date of my latest blog entry. Monday was a busy day at the hospital with the radiation treatment and the fitting of a new mask. Pain was a major factor on Monday but, Tuesday was the start of something new.
First thing Tuesday morning I had another fitting of the mask then I was off to the Lab for blood work and the G-Tube surgery took place at 9:30 AM. I was in recovery until 1:00 ish then there was the final fitting of the mask and a CT scan. Brock got me home at 3:00 and I passed out colder than a mackeral for most of the afternoon and evening.
Kathy Honey visited with us and stayed the night so Brock go play hockey. I woke up this morning sicker than a dog. I was unable to evacuate the build up of Saliva, nucus and Phlem. I got myself under control and at 9:12 I had my 18th Radiation treatment and now only 7 left to the finish.
We then we met with Chris LaFore one of the Nurses who taught us how to clean the area around the G-Tude and maintain of the wound and what dressings to use. then the Dietitian came in and showed us how to keep the G-Tube apparatus clean and then how to feed me. It was all way to much for me but, Brock worked with Dianne and together they are comfortable that Brock will be able to do a good job at feeding me and keeping the equipment clean an sanitary. Pheew!!
It was home about 2:30 and I went right to sleep. Brock got to use his new found skill when he prepared my dinner at 5:00ish. It is a different feeling to be feed with out any sensation of any sort. But in the two feedings today I got more nourishment than I've had in the past five days.
Tonight I will be in bed earlyas we have a9:12 AM Radiation treatment and then the Public Health Nurse will visit us between 1:00 and 3:00 tomorrow afternoon.
I can now see the end of this ordeal and tonight I think I have found the new strength and resolve to help me get past the finish line.
I will post more tomorrow when my mind will be a little more organized.
Until then,
Rick
Since the last time I posted early morning June 1st, the life and times of R. David have changed is some pretty dramatic ways. First, I am well and my pain is being managed in such a way that I am unaware of the nastiness inside my mouth for the most part. My new Fentanyl patch which releases 75 mcg of relief an hour and when coupled with the Hydromorphone, 2.5 mils per hour leaves me in a comfortable state most of the time. This level of narcotics is required to bring me to this state but, it also leaves me without much of a memory or the desire to kick up my heals, that is if I new where they were.
I have been on a whirlwind ride sine Sunday Jun 1 the date of my latest blog entry. Monday was a busy day at the hospital with the radiation treatment and the fitting of a new mask. Pain was a major factor on Monday but, Tuesday was the start of something new.
First thing Tuesday morning I had another fitting of the mask then I was off to the Lab for blood work and the G-Tube surgery took place at 9:30 AM. I was in recovery until 1:00 ish then there was the final fitting of the mask and a CT scan. Brock got me home at 3:00 and I passed out colder than a mackeral for most of the afternoon and evening.
Kathy Honey visited with us and stayed the night so Brock go play hockey. I woke up this morning sicker than a dog. I was unable to evacuate the build up of Saliva, nucus and Phlem. I got myself under control and at 9:12 I had my 18th Radiation treatment and now only 7 left to the finish.
We then we met with Chris LaFore one of the Nurses who taught us how to clean the area around the G-Tude and maintain of the wound and what dressings to use. then the Dietitian came in and showed us how to keep the G-Tube apparatus clean and then how to feed me. It was all way to much for me but, Brock worked with Dianne and together they are comfortable that Brock will be able to do a good job at feeding me and keeping the equipment clean an sanitary. Pheew!!
It was home about 2:30 and I went right to sleep. Brock got to use his new found skill when he prepared my dinner at 5:00ish. It is a different feeling to be feed with out any sensation of any sort. But in the two feedings today I got more nourishment than I've had in the past five days.
Tonight I will be in bed earlyas we have a9:12 AM Radiation treatment and then the Public Health Nurse will visit us between 1:00 and 3:00 tomorrow afternoon.
I can now see the end of this ordeal and tonight I think I have found the new strength and resolve to help me get past the finish line.
I will post more tomorrow when my mind will be a little more organized.
Until then,
Rick
Sunday, June 1, 2008
June 1, 2007 @12:37 AM
Hello all,
So it's good morning to everyone in Canada from Coast to Coast to Coast and to all of you in the United States, said in my best Foster Hewitt voice. Brock and I are sitting up in his living room jibbing and jabbering. Mostly it's me just blabbing. He's playing something on his XBox and I am completely impared phsyically from my last round of meds at 11:30 PM.
Brock pretty much has to supervise all of my daily activities as well as administer my meds. That really came into focus tonight. Due to the high levels of pain killers I am taking, I am impiared during most of my waking hours. Therefore, he sets out the right meds for me to take and the right dosages and then he records the information. Usually, Brock does not just ask me if I've taken my medicine he hands it to me and watches me take it.
Tonight while he was preparring my 11:30 PM meds, he noticed that I had not taken my 9:30 dose of Hydromorphone. This is the breakout medicine which balances the entire schedule of all my pain related meds. He was wondering why I had become so agitated and in so much pain. He has decided that while I am awake he will always watch me take it.
After I had taken my meds, he put me down on the Easy Boy Lounger where I passed out in a nano second. When I woke up at 12:30 AM, I thought I was at Laval University in Montreal. We had a good Yuk over that. .
That's it for now,
Rick
So it's good morning to everyone in Canada from Coast to Coast to Coast and to all of you in the United States, said in my best Foster Hewitt voice. Brock and I are sitting up in his living room jibbing and jabbering. Mostly it's me just blabbing. He's playing something on his XBox and I am completely impared phsyically from my last round of meds at 11:30 PM.
Brock pretty much has to supervise all of my daily activities as well as administer my meds. That really came into focus tonight. Due to the high levels of pain killers I am taking, I am impiared during most of my waking hours. Therefore, he sets out the right meds for me to take and the right dosages and then he records the information. Usually, Brock does not just ask me if I've taken my medicine he hands it to me and watches me take it.
Tonight while he was preparring my 11:30 PM meds, he noticed that I had not taken my 9:30 dose of Hydromorphone. This is the breakout medicine which balances the entire schedule of all my pain related meds. He was wondering why I had become so agitated and in so much pain. He has decided that while I am awake he will always watch me take it.
After I had taken my meds, he put me down on the Easy Boy Lounger where I passed out in a nano second. When I woke up at 12:30 AM, I thought I was at Laval University in Montreal. We had a good Yuk over that. .
That's it for now,
Rick
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