A FOLLOWER!!

YAY, my first follower.....thanks, ShirleyC!! Maybe I'll get better at updating....LOL!!

I went to Memphis yesterday for a check on my liver. They did bloodwork and I go to Jackson this Thursday for a CTscan. I have ultrasounds but have only had one CT. The ultrasound that I had on the 12th was stable.

RD went to the oncologist for his checkup today. The doc told him that he had two terminal illnesses and each time he has an infection, etc. he would not get back up to the level he was at before the illness, he doesn't think RD will get any better than he is now. He is mostly in the wheelchair, he is so short of breath. He will have a CTscan soon. Doc seems to think that the cancer is stable but the COPD is a big problem.

RD

RD is about the same as he was when he came home from the hospital. Still weak and very short of breath. Went to the Radiation Oncologist on Thursday and everything checked out okay, the doc ordered a head/brain MRI. He will have this done on Wednesday just to be sure there are no tumors. If this is okay then he doesn't have to see this doc again unless something shows up later. The tumor was 4cm in Dec and in March it was between 2-2.5cm, so that is great. He also has a very good appetite. All the docs are saying the same thing, that he has emphysema, lung cancer, 3 types of fungus, and there has been some changes where he had the heart by-pass surgery and all of these things cause shortness of breath. Plus the treatments that destroyed the cancer cells also destroyed some of the healthy cells so they are going to have to rebuild and that takes time. He goes back to his regular oncologist on the 27th and then he will have a CT around the first of May to check the size of the tumor, hopefully, it will be smaller. We will know the results of the MRI either Wed afternoon or Thursday, I'll email when we hear.

RD

Saw Dr. Kovalic today. We didn't get home until after five. We stopped in Jackson and brought home our supper. Jeremy had class tonight and Bridget & Abigail had play practice so Hunter stayed with us. Between RD & Hunter I was finding myself coming and going. Neither one was any problem, it is just like having two babies. Hunter is really good and he helps me a lot with RD. He loves to take him his meds for his breathing treatments and turn on the machine...LOL. When we got Poppa in the bed, I always tuck him in, kiss him and hold his hand for awhile. Hunter was walking around looking at everything then he came over and wanted to know if Poppa was okay. That's how bad his breathing is and then he walked over and started rubbing Poppa's hand. He is such a sweetie and I love having him here, he just turned 3.

Everything checked out okay at the doc. RD is so confused so much of the time and today the doc saw it. So, RD is having a MRI on Wed., I don't think the cancer is in his brain but there is something not right. I told my brother that I have noticed this for awhile and it could be some of the meds he is taking. Today I asked him what he wanted for his birthday and he said that he wanted to feel a lot better. Then in a few minutes he wanted to know if today(Thu) was his birthday, his birthday is April 10th. If he asks once he asks 50 times a day when is his next doc appt., on the way home he said, "Now day after tomorrow which doc do I see?" I told him that he didn't have another appt until the MRI that the doc ordered. He wanted to know which doc. I told him it was the doc we just left. I always try to answer him very sweetly because he can't help it. I could tell by looking at him that he was still confused so I explained where we had been and which doc. Now, a lot of this is because he is tired and he doesn't do well when he is tired. I try so hard to be positive but sometimes I am so concerned.

RD

Got home last night but by the time we stopped for his meds, we were so tired, he went to bed and I slept for awhile in my chair.

He is feeling some better, just so happy to be home. Home health will come for awhile. The nurse, PT and CNA will all come 2 times a week so that will help out with his exercises and baths.

He goes back for a checkup with the oncologist on Monday. They will order another CTscan in a few weeks to see if there are any more changes in the tumor.

I can't thank you enough for your prayers, I know that is why he is home. We still need your prayers...Bless you...

RD

RD has 3 types of infections in his lungs. They have called in the Infectious Disease doc to see what type of antibiotics are needed to clear his lungs. They want him to stay and see if the antibiotics are working so don't look like we will be home before Monday. I was getting ready to get my shower and he said that he was having trouble breathing. Vital signs were all good so they gave him another breathing treatment. He is short of breath and not feeling good at all today. I'm going to take a nap and wait for the doc and then try again to get my shower...LOL.

RD

The doctor just came in and said that he might go home tomorrow but probably Saturday. The culture that they are doing from the lungs is growing something and he said that it would take 24-48 hours before they would know what it is that is growing. Also, they need to know if he needs antibiotics through an IV which means he has to stay or oral meds which means he can go home!! So, more waiting but I am so thankful that he is better!!