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.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Hard Times
Last Thursday was exactly one year since my dad was diagnosed with stage 2 of tongue cancer - invasive-moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma; he's now in the final stage...
I'm sorry I haven't written much lately but it's hard to find a glimpse of positive hope when things seem so dreary. So this post has a negative overcast and undertone - again, my apologies.
My father is not doing well at all. My mother is taking him to the Rural Health Clinic tomorrow because she doesn't think he can wait until his appointment Thursday.
The past couple of months have been filled with a flurry of different types of medicines - trying to balance painkillers with steroids and anti-inflammatories. Despite all this, of course, he is still in pain and swollen. His right side of his face has swollen up so badly he has trouble seeing out of his right eye. The drugs have also affected his mood and activity. He is drained and weakened by the simplest of tasks now.
About a week ago, he texted me, "mother nature takes her time sometimes damnit"... Timing is everything now, it seems, and time is precious.
I'm sorry I haven't written much lately but it's hard to find a glimpse of positive hope when things seem so dreary. So this post has a negative overcast and undertone - again, my apologies.
My father is not doing well at all. My mother is taking him to the Rural Health Clinic tomorrow because she doesn't think he can wait until his appointment Thursday.
The past couple of months have been filled with a flurry of different types of medicines - trying to balance painkillers with steroids and anti-inflammatories. Despite all this, of course, he is still in pain and swollen. His right side of his face has swollen up so badly he has trouble seeing out of his right eye. The drugs have also affected his mood and activity. He is drained and weakened by the simplest of tasks now.
About a week ago, he texted me, "mother nature takes her time sometimes damnit"... Timing is everything now, it seems, and time is precious.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
More Doctor Visits
Sorry I'm writing this about a week late (I was in the middle of a move)... The appointments actually occurred last Wednesday, August 11 at the CBCC in Bakersfield.
First was Dr. Shambaugh, who didn't have too much to say but did a quick exam. My father's main concern is coping with pain and he asked about medications. He did not care for the Duragesic patches because of the side effects so he's back to taking Percocet and Tylenol. Shambaugh suggested the time-released Percocet (although it's a huge tablet to shove through the feeding tube) but it definitely cannot be crushed or broken into parts so that will be an experiment. He said as long as there's not more than 1 "cook in the kitchen," (in terms of types of medication), everything else should be fine.
We were supposed to see Dr. Gorla next but things were backed up so we went ahead and made Trang's appointment on time. Trang was very positive overall. He said it looks much better inside the mouth than expected. He said before it looked like an "atomic bomb went off in there" and he couldn't tell the difference between what was an ulcer and what was cancer. He said during this phase of palliative care, my dad is "living a meaningful life." Of course, it's not exactly a happy stage but he said he's happy with the status - he really felt that my father chose the right path to follow rather than having Trang attempt a "heroic surgery." He said, "Just because I can remove cancer doesn't mean I should" because of the larger picture and ramifications. He was very impressed that my dad drove to Bakersfield from Bishop that day and has all his license and registration paperwork completed so that he can ride his Harley again! :-)
Finally, Dr. Gorla briefly met with us. He was positive as well - noting the significant weight gain of my father and said the tumor was a lot smaller.
In about 3 months (November), my dad is scheduled for another set of PET and CAT scans. These can prognosticate how long, perhaps... He won't meet with Gorla for another 6 months.
First was Dr. Shambaugh, who didn't have too much to say but did a quick exam. My father's main concern is coping with pain and he asked about medications. He did not care for the Duragesic patches because of the side effects so he's back to taking Percocet and Tylenol. Shambaugh suggested the time-released Percocet (although it's a huge tablet to shove through the feeding tube) but it definitely cannot be crushed or broken into parts so that will be an experiment. He said as long as there's not more than 1 "cook in the kitchen," (in terms of types of medication), everything else should be fine.
We were supposed to see Dr. Gorla next but things were backed up so we went ahead and made Trang's appointment on time. Trang was very positive overall. He said it looks much better inside the mouth than expected. He said before it looked like an "atomic bomb went off in there" and he couldn't tell the difference between what was an ulcer and what was cancer. He said during this phase of palliative care, my dad is "living a meaningful life." Of course, it's not exactly a happy stage but he said he's happy with the status - he really felt that my father chose the right path to follow rather than having Trang attempt a "heroic surgery." He said, "Just because I can remove cancer doesn't mean I should" because of the larger picture and ramifications. He was very impressed that my dad drove to Bakersfield from Bishop that day and has all his license and registration paperwork completed so that he can ride his Harley again! :-)
Finally, Dr. Gorla briefly met with us. He was positive as well - noting the significant weight gain of my father and said the tumor was a lot smaller.
In about 3 months (November), my dad is scheduled for another set of PET and CAT scans. These can prognosticate how long, perhaps... He won't meet with Gorla for another 6 months.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Back Home
Jim is home and happy, and busy! He's back to fix things around the house - he has been pretty much since we got home a week ago!
He did great on the ride from Bakersfield - I needed to stop more than he did - and a great change in weather welcomed us in Bishop.
When we were getting everything set up at home we had a bit of a misunderstanding about the nebulizer. Airway Medical told us we needed the Albuterol solution but Dr. Trang didn't prescribe that. So we went through a series of actions to get the little vials from Dwayne's to later find out he doesn't need them - that he can simply use distilled water instead, as he had in Bakersfield. LOL Goes to show you can get a prescription if you are persistent, I guess.
My dad had several doctor appointments in the past week - for his eyes with Dr. Hiroyasu and a check-up yesterday with Dr. Boo. All seems well. He's been sleeping better overall. He now weighs 172 pounds, which is normal for his height, and a wonderful change! The next doctor appointment is back in Bakersfield on Monday with Dr. Gorla (radiology) and Dr. Shambaugh (chemotherapy). Hopefully more positive change to report soon...
He did great on the ride from Bakersfield - I needed to stop more than he did - and a great change in weather welcomed us in Bishop.
When we were getting everything set up at home we had a bit of a misunderstanding about the nebulizer. Airway Medical told us we needed the Albuterol solution but Dr. Trang didn't prescribe that. So we went through a series of actions to get the little vials from Dwayne's to later find out he doesn't need them - that he can simply use distilled water instead, as he had in Bakersfield. LOL Goes to show you can get a prescription if you are persistent, I guess.
My dad had several doctor appointments in the past week - for his eyes with Dr. Hiroyasu and a check-up yesterday with Dr. Boo. All seems well. He's been sleeping better overall. He now weighs 172 pounds, which is normal for his height, and a wonderful change! The next doctor appointment is back in Bakersfield on Monday with Dr. Gorla (radiology) and Dr. Shambaugh (chemotherapy). Hopefully more positive change to report soon...
Friday, May 14, 2010
5-14-10 - Homeward Bound
The appointment with Dr. Trang was rescheduled from Wednesday to today at 3:00. He seems to have his own personal family issues going on...
My mom has been coordinating with Airway Medical (name?) to make sure he will have all of the necessary machines.
I will be on my way to Bakersfield with chair in truck after work. We will load up machines, nutrition, supplies, etc. to transfer the care setup to Bishop.
Tomorrow (Saturday) my dad and I will be on our way to Bishop - time for him to go home, finally! Yay!
My mom has been coordinating with Airway Medical (name?) to make sure he will have all of the necessary machines.
I will be on my way to Bakersfield with chair in truck after work. We will load up machines, nutrition, supplies, etc. to transfer the care setup to Bishop.
Tomorrow (Saturday) my dad and I will be on our way to Bishop - time for him to go home, finally! Yay!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
5-4-10 - Day 33? of Radiation
Well we've made it to May and I'm losing track of the radiation appointments, but at least they're happening! In fact, there are only 5 left, along with one more chemotherapy treatment. Then my father will see Dr. Trang again on Wednesday, May 12, the same day as the final scheduled radiation treatment.
So, keeping fingers crossed, it sounds like he might be able to make the trip home that following weekend, May 15-16th. We are in the process of making arrangements to get everything moved back, set up, planned out, etc. So, more details to come!
So, keeping fingers crossed, it sounds like he might be able to make the trip home that following weekend, May 15-16th. We are in the process of making arrangements to get everything moved back, set up, planned out, etc. So, more details to come!
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