It seems that 1 week can be forever. Tuesday is DH outpatient surgery and we will get the results next Thursday or Friday. It seems to be an eternity. The doctors are so certain that DH has cancer. So far they have not been able to prove anything. I am sublimating all my worry in my work and my crafts and reading gentle books. I do not know what else to do.
Of course I have turned my worry and concern over to God (my choice of a high power) but at the same time there is an empty feeling where the worry should be. I do not know how to fill the empty place. I know you would say fill it with God. I am trying.
Please keep praying for all cancer and dementia patients, their caregivers, families and friends. Your prayers make our lives easier to handle. God Bless.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Results of surgery
DH had a lymph node removed from his groin on Monday, October 18. The biopsy results were benign.
The surgeon and our primary doctor still believe that cancer is present so a second surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2 to remove a lymph node from his right arm pit. We will probably hear the results of the biopsy on Thursday or Friday.
DH is not sure whether to be worried or not. I did all the worrying last time. This time I will leave it in God's hands. Having been through it once, I know what my options are.
Last night DH told me that if the biopsy came back positive for cancer he was not going to go through chemotherapy. "What have I got to live for?" was his basis for making this decision. He no longer hunts, rides motorcycles or scuba dives. He has no other hobbies and is bored with life.
I cannot argue with his logic or the results of it. Since lymphoma is so easily curred or at least put into remission with chemotherapy I do not understand his decision, but will abide with it when the time comes.
Please keep praying for all caregivers, dementia and cancer patients and their friends and family as they pass through the various emotions that go with these diseases.
God bless.
The surgeon and our primary doctor still believe that cancer is present so a second surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 2 to remove a lymph node from his right arm pit. We will probably hear the results of the biopsy on Thursday or Friday.
DH is not sure whether to be worried or not. I did all the worrying last time. This time I will leave it in God's hands. Having been through it once, I know what my options are.
Last night DH told me that if the biopsy came back positive for cancer he was not going to go through chemotherapy. "What have I got to live for?" was his basis for making this decision. He no longer hunts, rides motorcycles or scuba dives. He has no other hobbies and is bored with life.
I cannot argue with his logic or the results of it. Since lymphoma is so easily curred or at least put into remission with chemotherapy I do not understand his decision, but will abide with it when the time comes.
Please keep praying for all caregivers, dementia and cancer patients and their friends and family as they pass through the various emotions that go with these diseases.
God bless.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
It is not a hernia
The Cat Scan returns indicated no hernia.
However, the lymph nodes along the left side from the groin up were enlarged. Only the pelvic and lower body were scanned.
Monday, October 18 DH had a lymph node removed and it is being biopsied as we speak. Results should be available Wednesday or Thursday.
The doctor is talking about oncologists appointment this week.
Please continue to pray for all caregivers, dementia patients and families and friends of both.
However, the lymph nodes along the left side from the groin up were enlarged. Only the pelvic and lower body were scanned.
Monday, October 18 DH had a lymph node removed and it is being biopsied as we speak. Results should be available Wednesday or Thursday.
The doctor is talking about oncologists appointment this week.
Please continue to pray for all caregivers, dementia patients and families and friends of both.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Antibiotics
After my call to our primary care physician a script was phoned in to the pharmacy for DH. I don't know if it is making any difference.
Yesterday I offered to make him his favorite mac and cheese dinner. 10 minutes later while the macaroni was cooking he asked if I had finished his sandwich for supper. Now this is really a short term memory problem.
If this keeps up I will have to put DH back on the Namenda, with doctor's approval, and see if it helps. Something is going on here and I cannot put my finger one it.
Tomorrow we see the surgeon for the results of the Cat Scan. It was of the abdomen and pelvic area. Then we will take the next step.
The technical term for the bulge in the front of DH belly is Diastasis Recti which is a separation between the left and right of the rectus abdominis muscle. It looks like a ridge, which runs down the middle of the belly area. This separation can cause lower back problems. The outer-most abdominal muscle that separates is the support system for the back. When it separates, it weakens the support system for the organs in the front and weakens the support system for the back causing low back problems.
Surgery may be needed if a hernia develops that becomes trapped in the space between the muscles. In general complications only result when a hernia develops. Unfortunately operations have a fairly high failure rate over time.
Exercise may help improve the condition. An exercise called the Tupler technique exercise is used. It exercises the transverse muscle and the recti muscle at the same time.
Also a splint, which is a long scarf-like piece of fabric will pull the muscle sides closer together. An abdominal binder could help ease the pain and prevent additional damage when doing especially strenuous activities.
The Cat Scan will show if a hernia is present.
Please continue to pray for all dementia patients, their families and caregivers.
Yesterday I offered to make him his favorite mac and cheese dinner. 10 minutes later while the macaroni was cooking he asked if I had finished his sandwich for supper. Now this is really a short term memory problem.
If this keeps up I will have to put DH back on the Namenda, with doctor's approval, and see if it helps. Something is going on here and I cannot put my finger one it.
Tomorrow we see the surgeon for the results of the Cat Scan. It was of the abdomen and pelvic area. Then we will take the next step.
The technical term for the bulge in the front of DH belly is Diastasis Recti which is a separation between the left and right of the rectus abdominis muscle. It looks like a ridge, which runs down the middle of the belly area. This separation can cause lower back problems. The outer-most abdominal muscle that separates is the support system for the back. When it separates, it weakens the support system for the organs in the front and weakens the support system for the back causing low back problems.
Surgery may be needed if a hernia develops that becomes trapped in the space between the muscles. In general complications only result when a hernia develops. Unfortunately operations have a fairly high failure rate over time.
Exercise may help improve the condition. An exercise called the Tupler technique exercise is used. It exercises the transverse muscle and the recti muscle at the same time.
Also a splint, which is a long scarf-like piece of fabric will pull the muscle sides closer together. An abdominal binder could help ease the pain and prevent additional damage when doing especially strenuous activities.
The Cat Scan will show if a hernia is present.
Please continue to pray for all dementia patients, their families and caregivers.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Are we going down the same track as the last two Autumns?
Today I called our primary care physician. James is still having short term memory problems, is sleepy, has hot and cold sweats, is coughing slightly and has vertigo issues. These are the same symptoms as in October, 2008.
I am certain that these symptoms which were diagnosed as dementia the first time are not dementia! I believe that James is fighting an infection that is causing the symptoms. I hope our doctor will see the same progression and follow some type of testing to rule out a repeat of 2008.
James saw the surgeon yesterday and he discovered a lymph node that was enlarged. This can be caused by infection or cancer. It was the final trigger for my call to our doctor. Also, the hernia is not a hernia. It is Diastasis recti.
Please pray for all caregivers, dementia patients and their extended families.
Thank you.
I am certain that these symptoms which were diagnosed as dementia the first time are not dementia! I believe that James is fighting an infection that is causing the symptoms. I hope our doctor will see the same progression and follow some type of testing to rule out a repeat of 2008.
James saw the surgeon yesterday and he discovered a lymph node that was enlarged. This can be caused by infection or cancer. It was the final trigger for my call to our doctor. Also, the hernia is not a hernia. It is Diastasis recti.
Please pray for all caregivers, dementia patients and their extended families.
Thank you.
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