Hello.
Well today we expected Jim to undergo his last chemo treatment. Unfortunately his white blood count was low and the doctor wants Jim to wait one week. So we're disappointed. We think that Jim's sinus infection last week may have cause the count to drop.
So next week shall prove to be interesting. He's got chemo and he's on-call for work (answer any computer problems that happen over 24 hrs a day for one week). Hopefully no one will call (he's doubtful about that). Plus, we've decided to move into an apartment for three months, move in is next Saturday. It's about halfway between both our jobs. It's for Jim to decide if he can handle the commute and to test living together... It's a big step for a 36yr old batchelor. : )
So next weekend should be exciting... C'est la vie.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Four Treatments Left
Hello.
As a rather large bird reminded me, I haven't updated this blog in awhile...
This Friday, Jim has his ninth chemo treatment, which leaves three left after Sunday (when the chemo is officially over). So far things have been going well, no nausea or massive diarrhea. His cold sensitivity and tingling has increased, but not to the point where is inhibiting him from doing things. He does get exhausted on Sundays and Mondays (but he still goes to work on Mondays).
Once the chemo treatments are done, he can schedule another meeting with Dr Sardi in March or April (we're thinking). However it won't be at St Agnes, Dr Sardi is changing hospitals in February to Mercy Medical (also in Baltimore). It looks like a good move for him, plus he's leaving Dr Esquivel at St Agnes so patients won't be a PMP-specialist short.
All things are at status quo, so my next post probably will be in January 2006 after his last chemo treatment.
As a rather large bird reminded me, I haven't updated this blog in awhile...
This Friday, Jim has his ninth chemo treatment, which leaves three left after Sunday (when the chemo is officially over). So far things have been going well, no nausea or massive diarrhea. His cold sensitivity and tingling has increased, but not to the point where is inhibiting him from doing things. He does get exhausted on Sundays and Mondays (but he still goes to work on Mondays).
Once the chemo treatments are done, he can schedule another meeting with Dr Sardi in March or April (we're thinking). However it won't be at St Agnes, Dr Sardi is changing hospitals in February to Mercy Medical (also in Baltimore). It looks like a good move for him, plus he's leaving Dr Esquivel at St Agnes so patients won't be a PMP-specialist short.
All things are at status quo, so my next post probably will be in January 2006 after his last chemo treatment.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Fourth Round of Chemo
Hello.
Jim L's had his fourth round of Folfox. No problems with the treatment. He did experience a bit more of the cold reflex. When he drank something cold, his throat felt wierd. Not in a scary way, just different. So we let his drinks warm up after that. Only other thing to note is that after we disconnect the 5FU on Sundays, he is wiped out for the rest of the day. So far that's more than manageable.
Fifth round is scheduled for Oct 7th.
Jim L's had his fourth round of Folfox. No problems with the treatment. He did experience a bit more of the cold reflex. When he drank something cold, his throat felt wierd. Not in a scary way, just different. So we let his drinks warm up after that. Only other thing to note is that after we disconnect the 5FU on Sundays, he is wiped out for the rest of the day. So far that's more than manageable.
Fifth round is scheduled for Oct 7th.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Third Round of Chemo
Hello.
Well Jim L got both the port and 3rd round of Folfox chemo done on Friday Sept 9th. He was tired and sore, but glad to be starting the chemo again. Sooner started, sooner over.
He was able to drive down to my parents house on Sat. The whole bunch of us went sailing on the Chesapeake Bay for a couple hours (parents, sister, me and Jim on a 21ft San Juan sailboat). We had a good time (better than Jim's last sail when it was too foggy to see anything - sailed by compass points).
So he's now tired and healing. And the 4th round of chemo is scheduled for Sept 23rd.
Well Jim L got both the port and 3rd round of Folfox chemo done on Friday Sept 9th. He was tired and sore, but glad to be starting the chemo again. Sooner started, sooner over.
He was able to drive down to my parents house on Sat. The whole bunch of us went sailing on the Chesapeake Bay for a couple hours (parents, sister, me and Jim on a 21ft San Juan sailboat). We had a good time (better than Jim's last sail when it was too foggy to see anything - sailed by compass points).
So he's now tired and healing. And the 4th round of chemo is scheduled for Sept 23rd.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Update on Status
Hi.
Jim saw the Susquehanna Surgeons this morning and they say his hole is healing well. They have scheduled him for Friday to place another port (opposite side of where the other one was). Chemo is scheduled Friday too. So it looks like things are starting up again. That's both a relief and an "oh my".
We are supposed to go to a wedding this Friday, but Jim's health is our first priority. So he's getting the port and someone from work to drive him from Holy Spirit to the oncologist (I guess). He's not supposed to drive, so I'm assuming someone will take him from the hospital to chemo and then from chemo on home.
The first port wasn't as big a trauma as we expected, so we feel I don't have to miss the wedding to be there... And hopefully he can come down to Maryland to see my sister (Liz) on Saturday, if he's feeling up to the drive (me driving him - he doesn't know that part yet....). I also plan on going up Thur night...
Jim saw the Susquehanna Surgeons this morning and they say his hole is healing well. They have scheduled him for Friday to place another port (opposite side of where the other one was). Chemo is scheduled Friday too. So it looks like things are starting up again. That's both a relief and an "oh my".
We are supposed to go to a wedding this Friday, but Jim's health is our first priority. So he's getting the port and someone from work to drive him from Holy Spirit to the oncologist (I guess). He's not supposed to drive, so I'm assuming someone will take him from the hospital to chemo and then from chemo on home.
The first port wasn't as big a trauma as we expected, so we feel I don't have to miss the wedding to be there... And hopefully he can come down to Maryland to see my sister (Liz) on Saturday, if he's feeling up to the drive (me driving him - he doesn't know that part yet....). I also plan on going up Thur night...
Monday, August 29, 2005
Port to come out
Hi.
Jim's port got infected and the antibiotics killed off the infection, but there is a hole, where fluid was draining out. He saw the oncologist today and he needs to have the port removed. That's scheduled for tomorrow.
Once the area heals, he will have another port installed (probably on the other side of his chest). Then the chemo can resume.
A bit of a setback and a downer for Jim. Hopefully once the other port is in, it will be smooth sailing from there...
Jim's port got infected and the antibiotics killed off the infection, but there is a hole, where fluid was draining out. He saw the oncologist today and he needs to have the port removed. That's scheduled for tomorrow.
Once the area heals, he will have another port installed (probably on the other side of his chest). Then the chemo can resume.
A bit of a setback and a downer for Jim. Hopefully once the other port is in, it will be smooth sailing from there...
Friday, August 26, 2005
Delay
Hello.
We've had a bit of a delay. Jim's port got infected, so he's been on antibiotics for one week. Today he was supposed to restart on chemo (one week late), but the doctor is still worried about the port, so Jim's on a different antibiotic for another week.
So we're hoping that he can restart the chemo next Friday, Sept 2nd. This means he will still be on chemo in 2006, something he was hoping not to do.
But since he's not on chemo we can celebrate my Birthday on Sunday and not postpone it until he feels stronger. : )
We've had a bit of a delay. Jim's port got infected, so he's been on antibiotics for one week. Today he was supposed to restart on chemo (one week late), but the doctor is still worried about the port, so Jim's on a different antibiotic for another week.
So we're hoping that he can restart the chemo next Friday, Sept 2nd. This means he will still be on chemo in 2006, something he was hoping not to do.
But since he's not on chemo we can celebrate my Birthday on Sunday and not postpone it until he feels stronger. : )
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Happy Day
Hello.
We had the meeting with Dr Sardi yesterday to determine if all the cancer was removed by the surgery. He looked at the CT scans and Jim does not have any cancer remaining (i.e., none visible on the CT scan). Such great news!!!
He's supposed to keep having the chemo treatments though... So far he's had two treatments with very little side-effects... Almost no reaction to cold substances, a little bathroom running, and fatigue. He has ten treatments to go and if everything goes well, his last will be done on Christmas Day.
Six weeks after the last chemo treatment, he will need to have another CT scan done and then schedule an appointment with Dr Sardi again (possibly in Feb 2006).
As far as we are concerned, we are on the home stretch of putting this all behind us. Optimistic, yes. But good towards keeping a positive attitude. Thanks for checking in... : )
We had the meeting with Dr Sardi yesterday to determine if all the cancer was removed by the surgery. He looked at the CT scans and Jim does not have any cancer remaining (i.e., none visible on the CT scan). Such great news!!!
He's supposed to keep having the chemo treatments though... So far he's had two treatments with very little side-effects... Almost no reaction to cold substances, a little bathroom running, and fatigue. He has ten treatments to go and if everything goes well, his last will be done on Christmas Day.
Six weeks after the last chemo treatment, he will need to have another CT scan done and then schedule an appointment with Dr Sardi again (possibly in Feb 2006).
As far as we are concerned, we are on the home stretch of putting this all behind us. Optimistic, yes. But good towards keeping a positive attitude. Thanks for checking in... : )
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Chemo start date
Hello.
On Monday July 18th, Jim is scheduled to have the port installed in his shoulder. This will aid in the injection of the chemo drugs and will allow the drugs immediate access to his blood stream. I plan on taking him to this appointment, not knowing how he's going to be afterwards... Groggy, upset, etc...
Starting on July 22nd, Jim will have his first chemo treatment. It's expected to take 3hrs at the oncologists, then he will have a shoulder bag that will inject the 5-FU over a 48hr period. He's set the appointments up for Fridays that way any reactions he may have will be done when he's not at work.
On Monday July 18th, Jim is scheduled to have the port installed in his shoulder. This will aid in the injection of the chemo drugs and will allow the drugs immediate access to his blood stream. I plan on taking him to this appointment, not knowing how he's going to be afterwards... Groggy, upset, etc...
Starting on July 22nd, Jim will have his first chemo treatment. It's expected to take 3hrs at the oncologists, then he will have a shoulder bag that will inject the 5-FU over a 48hr period. He's set the appointments up for Fridays that way any reactions he may have will be done when he's not at work.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Met with Oncologist
Hello.
Well, we've met with Dr Gordon (Jim's Oncologist) on Friday July 1st. Jim will need chemotherapy, much to his disappointment. Fortunately Dr Gordon has had experience with patients with PMP. He said his office gets one case per year out of th thousands his office sees.
Dr Gordon prescribed Folfox, which is a common treatment for PMP. Folfox consists of Leucovorin, Fluorouracil, and Oxaliplatin. There are no specific chemo treatments for PMP, but Folfox is one commonly prescribed.
Jim will need to have a port installed in his shoulder, which will allow for direct injection of the oxaliplatin into his blood stream. Jim has an appointment on July 11th with his Harrisburg surgeons for a consult about the port. It will be installed under the skin and should not hamper Jim's movements, but he's not allowed excessive shoulder movement.
So after the port is in place, Jim will go to the Oncologist's once every two weeks for six months for a three-hour injection of the oxaliplatin (and leucovorin), then a 48-hour injection of the fluorouracil. He will carry the fluorouracil in a carry bag during the 48 hour period. At first a nurse will come and disconnect the bag after the 48 hours, but Jim expects to be shown how to do that himself.
Side effects... The big issue... For three days after the oxaliplatin injection Jim will have extreme sensitivity to cold. He's not allowed cold drinks or drinks with ice because he could have a tense time as his throat contracts as a reaction making hard to breathe. It's a temporary condition, but could cause a panic moment or two... Also, limited exposure to A/C, needs gloves to get things out of the frig... Basically he has to be cautious when around cold conditions.
He may also have diahrea (has medicine to combat that) or nausea (also has medicine to combat that). After a few treatments, he may experience numbness or tingling in his fingers and feet (just what he wants to hear) which will fade over nine months after the last treatment.
Hair loss should be minor and no permanent sterility. There may be times where he doesn't want to eat, so I'll have to keep an eye/ear open for that...
Jim also has a CT scan appt on July 20th, the important CT scan! This will show if the PMP is still present. Dr Sardi said he removed it all, but the CT scan will confirm that. Cross our fingers.
The appt with Dr Sardi is Aug 10th at 1pm, where we will go over the CT scan, blood work, and chemo. Hopefully at this meeting we will have a good idea on whether Jim is PMP-free or what the next step will be. Then if Jim has no reoccurances within 2 years, he basically can put this part of his life to bed and move on (if he hasn't already).
That's all for now.
Well, we've met with Dr Gordon (Jim's Oncologist) on Friday July 1st. Jim will need chemotherapy, much to his disappointment. Fortunately Dr Gordon has had experience with patients with PMP. He said his office gets one case per year out of th thousands his office sees.
Dr Gordon prescribed Folfox, which is a common treatment for PMP. Folfox consists of Leucovorin, Fluorouracil, and Oxaliplatin. There are no specific chemo treatments for PMP, but Folfox is one commonly prescribed.
Jim will need to have a port installed in his shoulder, which will allow for direct injection of the oxaliplatin into his blood stream. Jim has an appointment on July 11th with his Harrisburg surgeons for a consult about the port. It will be installed under the skin and should not hamper Jim's movements, but he's not allowed excessive shoulder movement.
So after the port is in place, Jim will go to the Oncologist's once every two weeks for six months for a three-hour injection of the oxaliplatin (and leucovorin), then a 48-hour injection of the fluorouracil. He will carry the fluorouracil in a carry bag during the 48 hour period. At first a nurse will come and disconnect the bag after the 48 hours, but Jim expects to be shown how to do that himself.
Side effects... The big issue... For three days after the oxaliplatin injection Jim will have extreme sensitivity to cold. He's not allowed cold drinks or drinks with ice because he could have a tense time as his throat contracts as a reaction making hard to breathe. It's a temporary condition, but could cause a panic moment or two... Also, limited exposure to A/C, needs gloves to get things out of the frig... Basically he has to be cautious when around cold conditions.
He may also have diahrea (has medicine to combat that) or nausea (also has medicine to combat that). After a few treatments, he may experience numbness or tingling in his fingers and feet (just what he wants to hear) which will fade over nine months after the last treatment.
Hair loss should be minor and no permanent sterility. There may be times where he doesn't want to eat, so I'll have to keep an eye/ear open for that...
Jim also has a CT scan appt on July 20th, the important CT scan! This will show if the PMP is still present. Dr Sardi said he removed it all, but the CT scan will confirm that. Cross our fingers.
The appt with Dr Sardi is Aug 10th at 1pm, where we will go over the CT scan, blood work, and chemo. Hopefully at this meeting we will have a good idea on whether Jim is PMP-free or what the next step will be. Then if Jim has no reoccurances within 2 years, he basically can put this part of his life to bed and move on (if he hasn't already).
That's all for now.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
May 19th - Quick Update
Hello.
St Agnes called Jim and told him he has the low grade PMP. Which is great news. They still want him to have the chemo, so now we are trying to find an oncologist in the Harrisburg area that is familiar with PMP. We got two recommendations from St Agnes, we just need their credentials and Jim to feel comfortable with them.
St Agnes will be sending Jim copies of the pathology final report and the list of chemo drugs that react well with his cancer. That's all we know for now. I'll update later as we learn things.
St Agnes called Jim and told him he has the low grade PMP. Which is great news. They still want him to have the chemo, so now we are trying to find an oncologist in the Harrisburg area that is familiar with PMP. We got two recommendations from St Agnes, we just need their credentials and Jim to feel comfortable with them.
St Agnes will be sending Jim copies of the pathology final report and the list of chemo drugs that react well with his cancer. That's all we know for now. I'll update later as we learn things.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
May 18th
Hello.
Just got back from the doctor's visit. Things went very well even though they don't have the final pathology report yet (should have that tomorrow).
Jim's incision is healing so well that the hole doesn't need to be packed anymore. They've placed tape pulling both sides together and it's supposed to finish closing by itself. That's a relief, no more dressing changes...
The doctor thinks that Jim has a better than 80% chance of not having the cancer come back (will have a better idea with the pathology report). However, he does want Jim to undergo a 6-month chemotherapy treatment (which kind we should also know tomorrow). The chemo will improve Jim's odds of beating the cancer by more than 10% (so with the 80% we're looking at 90% or better). The chemo won't be started for 1-2 months. Tomorrow they should also be getting us a name of a medical onocologist near where Jim lives, who will perform the chemo treatment.
His next appointment with St Agnes will be in July after he has his CT scan done. So Jim's left with 7 more blood thinner shots (that he gives himself) and 3 more Procrit shots (to be done by his local doctor's office). He will still be taking iron supplements and multivitamins... but that's do-able.
So Jim's not done yet, but the odds are favorable that this will be the one time he needs to go through all of this. : )
I'll update tomorrow with the final pathology report result and chemo treatment.
Just got back from the doctor's visit. Things went very well even though they don't have the final pathology report yet (should have that tomorrow).
Jim's incision is healing so well that the hole doesn't need to be packed anymore. They've placed tape pulling both sides together and it's supposed to finish closing by itself. That's a relief, no more dressing changes...
The doctor thinks that Jim has a better than 80% chance of not having the cancer come back (will have a better idea with the pathology report). However, he does want Jim to undergo a 6-month chemotherapy treatment (which kind we should also know tomorrow). The chemo will improve Jim's odds of beating the cancer by more than 10% (so with the 80% we're looking at 90% or better). The chemo won't be started for 1-2 months. Tomorrow they should also be getting us a name of a medical onocologist near where Jim lives, who will perform the chemo treatment.
His next appointment with St Agnes will be in July after he has his CT scan done. So Jim's left with 7 more blood thinner shots (that he gives himself) and 3 more Procrit shots (to be done by his local doctor's office). He will still be taking iron supplements and multivitamins... but that's do-able.
So Jim's not done yet, but the odds are favorable that this will be the one time he needs to go through all of this. : )
I'll update tomorrow with the final pathology report result and chemo treatment.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
May 11th
Hello.
No "real" new news... Both Dr Sardi and Paula were out, so we saw Robin Cianos (the IHPC coordinator) who was not able to tells us much. So we have another appointment next Wednesday (May 18th).
It was a good thing that we did have the appoinment even though we didn't get the info we wanted. Jim's covered head to toe in hives... Don't know what from (there was a suggestion that it maybe due to the fact his antibiotic regime just ended, but who knows). So we were able to have a Doctor tell us he can take benadryl for the hives...
No "real" new news... Both Dr Sardi and Paula were out, so we saw Robin Cianos (the IHPC coordinator) who was not able to tells us much. So we have another appointment next Wednesday (May 18th).
It was a good thing that we did have the appoinment even though we didn't get the info we wanted. Jim's covered head to toe in hives... Don't know what from (there was a suggestion that it maybe due to the fact his antibiotic regime just ended, but who knows). So we were able to have a Doctor tell us he can take benadryl for the hives...
Monday, May 09, 2005
May 9th
Hello.
Things are sort of status quo... Jim's right hand is still bothering him (tingling and numbness). He still has a mild fever in the evenings and night sweats... Wound packing and dressing changes are still going on with no fainting spells... : )
We do have an appointment at St Agnes tomorrow at 2pm to have his last staple removed and to find out the final results from the pathology report. Dr Sardi won't be in, but if we have questions we can email/call him later. I'll let you know how tomorrow went tomorow...
Things are sort of status quo... Jim's right hand is still bothering him (tingling and numbness). He still has a mild fever in the evenings and night sweats... Wound packing and dressing changes are still going on with no fainting spells... : )
We do have an appointment at St Agnes tomorrow at 2pm to have his last staple removed and to find out the final results from the pathology report. Dr Sardi won't be in, but if we have questions we can email/call him later. I'll let you know how tomorrow went tomorow...
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
May 4th
Today started off with a suprise... During Jim's dressing change, he passed out. Didn't bump anything on the way down (got him to sit down when he was feeling faint) and I was able to lower him from where he was sitting to the floor in a slow and graceful way... But definitely gave him a shock... He was only out for a few seconds.... Turns out the doctor and nurses thought he looked a little dehydrated yesterday plus I found out he didn't eat much yesterday as well (scrambled eggs, chicken nuggets, and 2 slices of pizza - not enough for one recovering). So gave him some OJ, protein shake, klondike bar, and gatorage and stayed with him until he felt better... Left him with a house stocked with food (crackers, soup, sandwich materials, PP&J, gatorage, V8, milk, left over pizza) and with orders to drink and eat more, so he should be ok until I get home...
Back to yesterday... He got to St Agnes around 1pm and they took blood and urine for testing and took a CT scan... He also got his Procrit injection... And they removed his staples!!!! : ) This ended around 5pm and he drove back to my house and took a long nap...
He has talked with St Agnes this morning (partly about the faint and partly about the results). He's still worried about the fever (it came back last night ~101, with the sweating again...). They said that the test results were coming back normal and if he had the fever again tonight, then they would probably schedule the CT scan for tomorrow. That's all I know for now...
Back to yesterday... He got to St Agnes around 1pm and they took blood and urine for testing and took a CT scan... He also got his Procrit injection... And they removed his staples!!!! : ) This ended around 5pm and he drove back to my house and took a long nap...
He has talked with St Agnes this morning (partly about the faint and partly about the results). He's still worried about the fever (it came back last night ~101, with the sweating again...). They said that the test results were coming back normal and if he had the fever again tonight, then they would probably schedule the CT scan for tomorrow. That's all I know for now...
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
May 3rd
Hello.
We've made it past the weekend and his temperature is still elevated in the evenings (100.7 - 101.8). We called St Agnes yesterday to find out what needed to be done. Waited until 4pm for Jim to talk with Dr Sardi. He was told to see his primary care doctor about the fever and to get a CT scan done to see if he has an abscess inside. That was not a problem since he was to see his primary care doctor anyway because of the Procrit shot and hemoglobin count needed to be done today. Didn't need to hear about a possible abscess (already worried about the temp now an added worry about an abscess)...
After his appointment with his primary care doctor at 10:30 am, Jim is now driving to St Agnes (because his doctor doesn't know the case history and doesn't know what to do for Jim). Plus he didn't get his Procrit shot (which now needs to be done at St Agnes).
I called Robin to gripe about the situation. Turns out Dr Sardi thought Jim was in Enola (not Oxford) and thought it was a shorter distance than going to Baltimore. Understandable, but very worrying for Jim... Also complained about the lack of a contact person for over the weekend. Was told that we were to have called the main hospital number where we would have been connected with the person on-call... Explained that I had called the main hospital number, but had to leave a message with Patient Records (since that was where I was directed). Told Robin that it would be good to put on the release form, who to contact during weekend hours... Jim was really worried over the weekend because of the fever...
That's where we are now... Will update as soon as I know anything more....
We've made it past the weekend and his temperature is still elevated in the evenings (100.7 - 101.8). We called St Agnes yesterday to find out what needed to be done. Waited until 4pm for Jim to talk with Dr Sardi. He was told to see his primary care doctor about the fever and to get a CT scan done to see if he has an abscess inside. That was not a problem since he was to see his primary care doctor anyway because of the Procrit shot and hemoglobin count needed to be done today. Didn't need to hear about a possible abscess (already worried about the temp now an added worry about an abscess)...
After his appointment with his primary care doctor at 10:30 am, Jim is now driving to St Agnes (because his doctor doesn't know the case history and doesn't know what to do for Jim). Plus he didn't get his Procrit shot (which now needs to be done at St Agnes).
I called Robin to gripe about the situation. Turns out Dr Sardi thought Jim was in Enola (not Oxford) and thought it was a shorter distance than going to Baltimore. Understandable, but very worrying for Jim... Also complained about the lack of a contact person for over the weekend. Was told that we were to have called the main hospital number where we would have been connected with the person on-call... Explained that I had called the main hospital number, but had to leave a message with Patient Records (since that was where I was directed). Told Robin that it would be good to put on the release form, who to contact during weekend hours... Jim was really worried over the weekend because of the fever...
That's where we are now... Will update as soon as I know anything more....
Sunday, May 01, 2005
May 1st
Hello...
Things have been going well so far... Jim's sleeping right now... Wore him out by walking a bit too much today (2 miles at Fairhill State Park in MD)...
He has an appointment on Tues with his doctor for a Procrit injection and bood work (to determine his hemoglobin count, when it reaches 11 he stops getting the shots).
Only thing going on now is that his temp is close to normal first thing in the a.m. and then reaches 101 or higher in the evening... Can't tell if this is something to be concerned about or not (we don't feel this constitues an "emergency"). Wasn't given a weekend contact number by St Agnes (an oversight we plan on fixing first thing Monday). Everything else seems ok: no pain to speak of, no inflammation... So Jim will call on Monday and see what we should be doing...
Jim received flowers from his workplace on Saturday. They're very lovely... A good suprise for him... : )
Things have been going well so far... Jim's sleeping right now... Wore him out by walking a bit too much today (2 miles at Fairhill State Park in MD)...
He has an appointment on Tues with his doctor for a Procrit injection and bood work (to determine his hemoglobin count, when it reaches 11 he stops getting the shots).
Only thing going on now is that his temp is close to normal first thing in the a.m. and then reaches 101 or higher in the evening... Can't tell if this is something to be concerned about or not (we don't feel this constitues an "emergency"). Wasn't given a weekend contact number by St Agnes (an oversight we plan on fixing first thing Monday). Everything else seems ok: no pain to speak of, no inflammation... So Jim will call on Monday and see what we should be doing...
Jim received flowers from his workplace on Saturday. They're very lovely... A good suprise for him... : )
Thursday, April 28, 2005
He's Home!!!
Hello.
Picked him up around 4pm today... Temperature was down, so they released him...
Jim had chicken parmesean for dinner, ate some, refrigerated the rest... definitely did him some good to eat yummy food...
We do have to pack one hole... And it's a doosiey... About 3-4 inches long and about 2 inches deep (through the subcutaneous fat layer...) After seeing that, Jim wants to exercise a bit more when he's healed... : )
I'm happy he's out and he's tired and HAPPY he's out... Though he has an appointment next week to take out the rest of the staples.. We're hoping then to find out what "type" of PMP he has and the long term expectations...
Picked him up around 4pm today... Temperature was down, so they released him...
Jim had chicken parmesean for dinner, ate some, refrigerated the rest... definitely did him some good to eat yummy food...
We do have to pack one hole... And it's a doosiey... About 3-4 inches long and about 2 inches deep (through the subcutaneous fat layer...) After seeing that, Jim wants to exercise a bit more when he's healed... : )
I'm happy he's out and he's tired and HAPPY he's out... Though he has an appointment next week to take out the rest of the staples.. We're hoping then to find out what "type" of PMP he has and the long term expectations...
Minor Set-back
Jim had a temperature of 101.4ºF yesterday which kept him from coming home. He was very disappointed.
Also Dr Sardi had to remove a few staples just below his bellybutton to allow the incision to drain (it was getting infected). I'm hoping it's not something we need to keep packing once he's released. Been there done that... Oh well, it's not a big deal if we have to do that again... Atleast this time it would be one hole and not five...
But Jim was able to give himself the blood thinner shot in this thigh yesterday. He thinks he will be able to do this once he's released too... That's good news...
So we'll see what happens today. Hopefully he can be released... I'll let you know.
Also Dr Sardi had to remove a few staples just below his bellybutton to allow the incision to drain (it was getting infected). I'm hoping it's not something we need to keep packing once he's released. Been there done that... Oh well, it's not a big deal if we have to do that again... Atleast this time it would be one hole and not five...
But Jim was able to give himself the blood thinner shot in this thigh yesterday. He thinks he will be able to do this once he's released too... That's good news...
So we'll see what happens today. Hopefully he can be released... I'll let you know.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Even Better News
Hello.
Guess who had a normal dinner yesterday (spagetti even)... : )
Also, he's been told by the resident that he may be released today... : )
We're just waiting until he sees Dr Sardi today (mostly for the pathology report and future prognosis) to confirm that he can be release today...
Then its just rest, relax, and recovery at my house... Josephine (my cat) has specifically been instructed not to walk on Jim's stomach...
Guess who had a normal dinner yesterday (spagetti even)... : )
Also, he's been told by the resident that he may be released today... : )
We're just waiting until he sees Dr Sardi today (mostly for the pathology report and future prognosis) to confirm that he can be release today...
Then its just rest, relax, and recovery at my house... Josephine (my cat) has specifically been instructed not to walk on Jim's stomach...
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