More ER, Rural Health Clinic Visits

I'm writing to catch up on a few things...

Last Saturday, 10/30, my dad did a repeat pull-out of his trach tube, so there was a re-run of the previous Saturday. There was a different doctor, though, so a few of the NIH doctors are getting practice, I guess! Even more so because he did it again, hopefully for the last time, later in the week. After this time they secured it with a more permanent tie... We still can't figure out exactly why he keeps pulling it out, but the general delusion seems to explain most of the problems of late.

My father insisted on going to the ER today during the day when he was with my Aunt Linda. Luckily, communication between family happened and my mom met them at the Rural Health Clinic instead. Here they know him and can react on a more informed basis. Dr. Brown prescribed him an antibiotic because he had a fever and his chin infection has worsened.

My mother thinks, and now the doctors seem to agree, that the cancer has spread into his brain. I'm sure the many medicines, and changes in medication, don't help the situation either. This will only be speculation because we canceled his appointments for his next round of CAT and PET scans (they were supposed to be next week). He didn't feel up to the trip and it would really cause a lot of unnecessary stress on his mind and body.

Even though I'm being "docked" at work, I will be home for my dad's birthday, Wednesday November 10.

ER Visit

My father somehow (still unclear to us as to how) managed to pull out his trach - yes the entire thing - this morning. Luckily, my mother brought all the pieces to the Northern Inyo Hospital's (NIH) emergency room because they didn't have the correct "parts" in-stock.

The first task was to thoroughly clean the unsightly trach. The doctor, "bless his heart" (as some of my family members would say), was new - not just new to NIH but new to the profession - he just finished his residency a few months ago. The "Hmmm... where is that and what do I do with it" banter between he, the nurse, and my mother was uncomfortably intriguing (in a fearful sense) as I sat beside my dad's cot and observed.

After the doctor suggested my mother be the one to put the trach back in since "she must be a pro at it", she corrected his assumption - she'd never done the outer cannula - we only change the inner cannula daily. Eventually, with the nurse's encouragement and my mom's directions, the doctor figured he'd "give it a go." After the fifth time the doctor had shared that he's only done this once - way back in school, the nurse shushed him, not wanting to freak out the patient! I don't know exactly how my dad felt but I was a bit afraid myself!

The first couple of attempts looked extremely painful, from my dad's expression. Then, luckily, the veteran ER doctor walked in, donned gloves, the other doctor stood back to observe, and within one minute the trach was back in. Yay - sigh of relief. I think we all felt better.

Clinic Visit Update

This morning my mother took my father to see the Dr. Boo and crew at the Rural Health Clinic. Turns out he has slight pneumonia so they prescribed him an antibiotic. They found his oxygen levels are low - 80% - so Airway Medical brought over an oxygen tank for him to use with his trach. Some of the inflammation in his face has gone down and the oxygen seems to be helping him have a little more energy. The pain is ever-present. This nights are tougher than the mornings...

My cousin Dion made a good point tonight - through all of this, my fathers written communications (e.g. notes, texts) have maintained an upbeat attitude. Instead of constant complaining, he often tries to be humorous.

Thanks for the positivity D.

Latest Doctor Visits

The pattern of the lack of communication between the doctors at the CBCC (Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center) and KMC (Kern Medical Center) in Bakersfield.

The appointment last Monday was supposed to be a tri-meeting between all three doctors. Instead, some of the appointments were canceled without our knowledge. So my mom and dad saw who was available.

The doctors looked at the same results of the PET and CAT scans but delivered different information. While Dr. Shambaugh (chemotherapist) at the KMC told my parents everything looked fine and that everything that the radiation/ chemotherapy was supposed to diminish was shrunk, Dr. Trang (ENT) told my family that a new nodule has spread to his lung and they can do a test to see if it too is cancerous. Dr. Gorla (radiologist) was not around.

My father has decided not to get the test to see if it is cancerous because it is a moot point... The doctors cannot do any further treatment (chemo or radiation).

He will also follow up with Dr. Boo in Bishop.