No Chemo Today

Aunt Charlene called me this morning to give me details about dad. He couldn't have chemo today because his blood count is too high. He has lost all the weight he gained and then some, oxygen last week was 98% and this week it is 86%, blood pressure last week was 102/90 this week it is 98/62 and his temp is 97.8. The doctor said he is dehydrated and so he is given dad liquids intravenously for 2 hours for today, tomorrow and Friday at the office – hoping to avoid a hospital stay. They are doing it through his arm and not his port because it appears his port may be infected so they are checking that out as well.

I talked to dad tonight and he did sound a bit better. He says he is doing is oxygen (which mom said he hasn't been doing like he is supposed to) but still is having the same issues even though the doctor gave him a prescription. I think after the 3 intravenous hydration appts he should start feeling better. Just maybe, mom and dad could have a good weekend!

Very Sick

Dad has been quite ill since Saturday. Mom says he hasn't eaten anything since Saturday that hasn't come back up. He has a very bad case of diarrhea, so bad that they doctor has prescribed medication to hopefully stop it. I have talked to dad every night and he is very honest in saying he doesn't feel good at all; he doesn't even try to hide it like he has in the past. He has told mom that he is about ready to give in. He told me that he emotionally feels bad that he can't really function and be with people like when Sarah was there this past weekend. When I talked to him tonight, he talked maybe 1 or 2 minutes and was very winded and said he couldn't talk any more.

We have reminded him that we will support whatever choice he makes as far as continuing treatment or not. We know what we want but he is the one who has to suffer the effects of the chemo and he has been told that it won't be easy. We don't know if his current health situation will stop his treatment tomorrow. I will let you know what happens.

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Great Dr Appt

Dad had chemo again on Wednesday. The doctors were actually amazed at how well he was doing. His blood pressure was a bit low 102 over something. He had actually gained 6 pounds in a week and all of his blood work was really good. Aunt Charlene took him to his appt and wrote down everything the doctor told her. She said dad was better than she had seen him in quite awhile and he was very chatty. Aunt Charlene and Chuck had mom and dad over for dinner but dad didn't have much of an appetite and actually feel asleep during dinner so the evening was cut a bit short.

Friday dad felt so good he did a lot more than he should have. He drove (which he isn't supposed to do) and took back some stuff he had bought to fix his van and didn't need. He also sold some items he hadn't used for a long time which enabled him to buy a few items he and mom have wanted. Sarah, our oldest daughter, drove over from college to spend the weekend with mom and dad. I don't think she had seen dad since Emily's graduation in early June. Dad had done so much on Friday that he over exhausted himself (just like the weekend Uncle Rick and Paula visited). He hasn't eaten or drunk much of anything most of the weekend. They had a few plans of things to do with Sarah while she was there but dad couldn't do anything so mom and Sarah watched movies while dad slept. Sarah enjoyed just spending time with them.

Mom called tonight concerned about dad because he hasn't had much in the way of food and drink and is certain he is dehydrated. He also hasn't used his oxygen like he has been doing. She said that he is mumbling a bit and just wanted her to leave him alone and let him sleep. I told her we would give him the night before we made any decisions about calling the doctor. She did finally get him to come to bed and drink a bit of Gatorade.

Chemo is scheduled again for Wednesday if all of his test are good and then he will get a week off. I'll keep you posted.