On Friday, October 16th Joe had his second chemotherapy treatment. It was a good day, As we got to the 10th floor to wait for treatment, there was a beautiful rainbow out side. You could see the right side and the left side, and the middle was over cast. It was a good sign. Met with Margaret (NP) prior to the treatment who was concerned about whether Joe was strong enough. We (Joan, Tom and myself) confirmed he was good. Actually the best he's looked in awhile. She was also concerned about his low sodium level. It was decided to start giving Joe sodium pills to increase the levels. She also indicated that some fluids should start to be introduced orally, slowly, with the hope of eventually moving away from the feeding tube. So, next up, chemo treatment. Joe had some milk, walked around, was reading the paper, etc. Went in for the treatment and everything was good. It's basically a 4 hour process: 3 hours of one chemo protocol and one hour of another. Everything went fine. Joe did not need any oxygen. Joan went to work. Tom and I took him home when the treatment was done. Everything was good....and so was Saturday and somewhat on Sunday.
On Monday, Joe wasn't able to keep things down. He was a bit tired during the day. On Tuesday, he was out and about with Joan and when they got home he was tired and in pain. He needed more pain meds. By Wednesday, he wasn't getting anything down and appeared disoriented. Jeff stopped by and indicated Joan should call 911. He was taken to Faulkner. They did a chest x-ray/CT scan (not sure which). Did show the mass did shrink somewhat, but he has some aspiration. He did not have any blood clot which is what they were checking. He was transferred to Brigham & Women's (Faulkner doesn't have a cancer floor). A decision was made to remove some of the fluid in his chest area. Jeff was there when they suctioned out the fluid (1+ liters) to reduce the aspiration. Joe had a restless nite. Today Dr. Jackman stopped by (Medical Oncologist). He is concerned about why the fluid is worsening: is it the cancer causing it, or something else? They can tell the mass on his lung/esophagus has gone down from the xray but not sure if it's due to the radiation or the chemo (or both). He is going to have CT done on his stomach to see if the tumor on the adrenal has been reduced. If so, it means the chemo is working. Another chest xray will be done as his breathing seems to be worse (he is on oxygen). They will try and mobilize his secretions with medicine and keep an eye out for infection. (His feeding tube appears to have small infection). Joe is not happy. He wants to be home. But need to get the fluid and breathing under control before that can happen. He's thinking he will come home on Friday. Let's hope so! I will update again this weekend as more info becomes available. Elwood Strong!
On Monday, Joe wasn't able to keep things down. He was a bit tired during the day. On Tuesday, he was out and about with Joan and when they got home he was tired and in pain. He needed more pain meds. By Wednesday, he wasn't getting anything down and appeared disoriented. Jeff stopped by and indicated Joan should call 911. He was taken to Faulkner. They did a chest x-ray/CT scan (not sure which). Did show the mass did shrink somewhat, but he has some aspiration. He did not have any blood clot which is what they were checking. He was transferred to Brigham & Women's (Faulkner doesn't have a cancer floor). A decision was made to remove some of the fluid in his chest area. Jeff was there when they suctioned out the fluid (1+ liters) to reduce the aspiration. Joe had a restless nite. Today Dr. Jackman stopped by (Medical Oncologist). He is concerned about why the fluid is worsening: is it the cancer causing it, or something else? They can tell the mass on his lung/esophagus has gone down from the xray but not sure if it's due to the radiation or the chemo (or both). He is going to have CT done on his stomach to see if the tumor on the adrenal has been reduced. If so, it means the chemo is working. Another chest xray will be done as his breathing seems to be worse (he is on oxygen). They will try and mobilize his secretions with medicine and keep an eye out for infection. (His feeding tube appears to have small infection). Joe is not happy. He wants to be home. But need to get the fluid and breathing under control before that can happen. He's thinking he will come home on Friday. Let's hope so! I will update again this weekend as more info becomes available. Elwood Strong!
I have no idea how he was allowed out of the house with that hat on! I did let him ride in my car too! Ah yi yi!!