Monday October 26, 2009

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post.

Daddy is starting to feel & show the effects of the radiation and chemo treatment. He is getting weaker and weaker each day. This morning he tried to eat some pureed eggs, but his throat is so sore that he can't swallow. His lips are covered with sores and he says he just doesn't feel good and his whole body hurts. He's lost 65 pounds since the end of July.

They are over at the Cancer Center right now for his Chemo treatment and radiation. Last Monday the Doctor's weren't sure if they were going to be able to give Daddy the Chemo because his red blood count was down to 8.2. They said if it had been down to 8 they would have put him in the hospital and given him a transfusion. However; since it was 8.2 they opted to give him the $1,000 + Procrit shot. Of course then they weren't sure if the Procrit could be given with the Erbitux (chemo drug), which you would have thought they would have researched BEFORE they gave him the shot. They did not, so Mom & Dad spent over 5 1/2 hrs there. Luckily today his red blood count was up to 10 so he didn't need anything. However the Doctor's at the Cancer Center were hesitant to start the chemo today because Daddy is so weak.

Last week was very busy for Mom and Dad. They had the Cancer Center on Monday, appt. with Daddy's heart Dr. on Tuesday, appt. with the Endocrinologist on Wednesday, appt. with Daddy's PCP on Thursday and of course he had radiation Monday - Friday. I think all he's got this week is the radiation each day so at least it won't be quite as much for him and Mom.

Mom is really getting worn out now and physically it is taking a toll on her. Her blood pressure yesterday morning was 77/58 and she's been feeling light headed and out of breath. We've tried to get her to go see her Dr. but she doesn't want to leave Daddy. Too bad Dr.'s don't make house calls anymore. Crystal and I have offered to take Daddy for his radiation treatments &/or Dr.'s appointments so she could rest but she won't let us. (See, we didn't get all of our stubbornness from Daddy.)

If everything goes according to schedule and there is no more bumps in the road, Daddy's treatments should be finished on November 16th. We assume they will run tests after all treatments are completed to see if the cancer is gone (and yes, I know what assume means).

Please continue to send prayers up for Daddy and Mom. They both need a pick-up right now.