Oh Boy - He's Getting Better

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kimmygarland
kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
Praise the Lord and pass the biscuits!! Bob is getting better. The last couple of days he seems to have turned some sort of corner. He is still very, very weak and has a long way to go but feels well enough to complain and pace back and forth between the bedroom, the kitchen and the patio. He sits in the bedroom recliner a while, moves to the patio, to the living room, roams around the kitchen. Says he is bored. We've taken him for a couple of drives, tried to get him to read, go back to his office (it is here in the house) and he went yesterday (drove for the first time - it's only a couple miles) to see his buddies for coffee.

I can't tell you how relieved I am. I was really worried, as this surgery really was much harder on him that any of us had imagined. I was beginning to wonder if he was going to get better - it will be 3 weeks Wednesday since the surgery. Maybe we were expecting too much.

Anyway, even though he is complaining, I am so happy he's feeling better.

Of course, as he comes out of the haze, he is wanting to talk about the pet scan that will come in about 2.5 months - and I am trying NOT to think about it!

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  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #2
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    Yay for good news!
    Oh Kimmy, this is so good to hear!!! Even complaining about boredom and restlessness sounds healthier than laying down quietly not moving because of the pain and discomfort. I'm glad for you and Bob. What an answer to prayer! Hugs,
    Penny
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #3
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    IT SOUNDS WONDERFUL!
    That is just the best news, Kimmy!
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #4
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    He's back
    Kimmy, THat sounds like it is going better. Surgery is hard on anyone takes weeks months and sometimes years to get back. So He is doing great! Sounds like Bob's complaining is music to your ears. Greg and Bob seam so much alike!
    I am with you just think about today and don't worry bout tomorrow.
    I am so happy to hear he is getting better! You Rock friend!
  • AnnaLeigh
    AnnaLeigh Member Posts: 187 Member
    #5
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    Grouchy and Bored is Good
    When our men feel good enough to complain about being bored - that's a GOOD thing. I am so happy for you guys that the healing has started and is so evident. It's also easy to over do it when we start feeling better.

    Waiting on that darn scan is hard. And it's even harder not to talk about it and speculate. So enjoy this moment when times are good and take a break from everything you have been through these long months.

    Hoping life gets easier and richer for your entire family.
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    #6
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    AnnaLeigh said:

    Grouchy and Bored is Good
    When our men feel good enough to complain about being bored - that's a GOOD thing. I am so happy for you guys that the healing has started and is so evident. It's also easy to over do it when we start feeling better.

    Waiting on that darn scan is hard. And it's even harder not to talk about it and speculate. So enjoy this moment when times are good and take a break from everything you have been through these long months.

    Hoping life gets easier and richer for your entire family.

    Good news
    Will Bob be going for radiation? I'm glad he is up and going after his surgery, he is feeling good enough to drive and visit his friends-great.
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #7
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    Glad
    I am glad to hear that he is doing better. We forget how hard surgery is on our bodies. We think they should bounce back, but our bodies have other ideas. Every surgery is a blow to the body. Fay
  • rankind
    rankind Member Posts: 36
    #8
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    Wonderful News
    Each step is a miracle
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #9
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    Good For You Bob!
    Hello Kimmy and Bob
    Thank you for putting a smile on my face today! This is wonderful news! You both keep up the good work. One day at a time. Remember slow and easy wins the race. Think and live for today, not 2 mos from now! Keep in touch.
    Tina
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #10
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    Tina Blondek said:

    Good For You Bob!
    Hello Kimmy and Bob
    Thank you for putting a smile on my face today! This is wonderful news! You both keep up the good work. One day at a time. Remember slow and easy wins the race. Think and live for today, not 2 mos from now! Keep in touch.
    Tina

    thanks y'all
    More moaning and groaning today, but he did go see his buddies this morning again. His blood pressure has been real low, but doc says not to worry about it low is ok, just make sure he's hydrated and not getting dizzy, etc. He's hydrated and not dizzy so we are good there.

    He is still sleeping a lot, but I guess that's normal. I am still concerned about the trache, in that he doesn't keep the cap on it all the time and they may not be able to take it out on 10/12... but I need to stop worrying about it I suppose.

    Thanks again for the encouragement.
  • Carrie King
    Carrie King Member Posts: 48
    #11
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    kimmygarland said:

    thanks y'all
    More moaning and groaning today, but he did go see his buddies this morning again. His blood pressure has been real low, but doc says not to worry about it low is ok, just make sure he's hydrated and not getting dizzy, etc. He's hydrated and not dizzy so we are good there.

    He is still sleeping a lot, but I guess that's normal. I am still concerned about the trache, in that he doesn't keep the cap on it all the time and they may not be able to take it out on 10/12... but I need to stop worrying about it I suppose.

    Thanks again for the encouragement.

    Kimmygarland
    You mentioned not keeping the trache cap on all the time and it reminded me of something. My husband had a Picc line in for 8 weeks this summer. He did awesome giving himself the IV meds every 8 hours. It was on a drip and each time he administered it, it was about 30-45 minutes. Apparently he felt it was a fine idea to take the kids to a neighborhood pool and try to do his meds there. Since an IV pole wasnt accessible at the pool (what a surprise) he tried to rig it up to the sun umbrella, when that didn't work, he started to have my 12 yr old hold the line over his head ! Realizing this probably wasn't going to work in the 90+ weather he went home to do it. I think at times the patient has had enough of some of the restrictions and this is their way of "taking control". I will have to tell you about him riding a 4 wheeler again this weekend at his parents farm . . . . . Uhhhh I am surprised I dont have white hair yet !
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #12
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    Carrie King said:

    Kimmygarland
    You mentioned not keeping the trache cap on all the time and it reminded me of something. My husband had a Picc line in for 8 weeks this summer. He did awesome giving himself the IV meds every 8 hours. It was on a drip and each time he administered it, it was about 30-45 minutes. Apparently he felt it was a fine idea to take the kids to a neighborhood pool and try to do his meds there. Since an IV pole wasnt accessible at the pool (what a surprise) he tried to rig it up to the sun umbrella, when that didn't work, he started to have my 12 yr old hold the line over his head ! Realizing this probably wasn't going to work in the 90+ weather he went home to do it. I think at times the patient has had enough of some of the restrictions and this is their way of "taking control". I will have to tell you about him riding a 4 wheeler again this weekend at his parents farm . . . . . Uhhhh I am surprised I dont have white hair yet !

    Still doing better....
    Carrie - cute story about the "IV Pole". I agree about them wanting to "take control". I returned to work, yesterday and although this is only the second day - so far all has gone well and I think it is giving Bob more of a sense of independence without me there hovering all day. We have a home health nurse coming by 3 days a week - checks his vitals, cleans the trache - so that makes me feel better. Also, means I don't have to clean trache except every other day, I do not enjoy doing that AT ALL.

    He continues to get a bit better every day. We have started doing a short walk every evening and last night made it all the way around the block! What an accomplishment. On the other hand, it breaks my heart - because 3 months ago he was walking for an hour a day, even after finishing his radiation treatments! I hate cancer.

    We are trying to get into a routine of sorts and I am tired (I already complained about that in another post, LOL), but doing ok. We are hoping the trache comes out on 10/12 as I think he'll feel so much better both physically and mentally without the thing - it causes alot of mucous and coughing and that is affecting his ability to sleep, even with sleeping pills.

    He will be on the feeding tube for months, if not forever, and that is a difficult pill to swallow. You don't realize how much your life revolves around food until it is not a factor anymore - social activities, family get-togethers, etc... I'm not sure how we will handle these things yet.

    Trying not to get too overwhelmed, need to remember to keep thinking only one day at a time!

    Thanks for listening.
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #13
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    kimmygarland said:

    Still doing better....
    Carrie - cute story about the "IV Pole". I agree about them wanting to "take control". I returned to work, yesterday and although this is only the second day - so far all has gone well and I think it is giving Bob more of a sense of independence without me there hovering all day. We have a home health nurse coming by 3 days a week - checks his vitals, cleans the trache - so that makes me feel better. Also, means I don't have to clean trache except every other day, I do not enjoy doing that AT ALL.

    He continues to get a bit better every day. We have started doing a short walk every evening and last night made it all the way around the block! What an accomplishment. On the other hand, it breaks my heart - because 3 months ago he was walking for an hour a day, even after finishing his radiation treatments! I hate cancer.

    We are trying to get into a routine of sorts and I am tired (I already complained about that in another post, LOL), but doing ok. We are hoping the trache comes out on 10/12 as I think he'll feel so much better both physically and mentally without the thing - it causes alot of mucous and coughing and that is affecting his ability to sleep, even with sleeping pills.

    He will be on the feeding tube for months, if not forever, and that is a difficult pill to swallow. You don't realize how much your life revolves around food until it is not a factor anymore - social activities, family get-togethers, etc... I'm not sure how we will handle these things yet.

    Trying not to get too overwhelmed, need to remember to keep thinking only one day at a time!

    Thanks for listening.

    Hey Kimmy
    Thanks for your
    Hey Kimmy
    Thanks for your recent update. Yes you must stop being such a worry wort! It is not good for you! Glad to hear you are both walking again. Around the block tonight, an hour walk next month! Give it time. Think one hour at a time, one thing at a time. God will see you through it all. Peace be with all of you.
    Tina
    See my post under ec discussion board....it is time for me to put on my caregiver hat once again!
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #14
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    kimmygarland said:

    Still doing better....
    Carrie - cute story about the "IV Pole". I agree about them wanting to "take control". I returned to work, yesterday and although this is only the second day - so far all has gone well and I think it is giving Bob more of a sense of independence without me there hovering all day. We have a home health nurse coming by 3 days a week - checks his vitals, cleans the trache - so that makes me feel better. Also, means I don't have to clean trache except every other day, I do not enjoy doing that AT ALL.

    He continues to get a bit better every day. We have started doing a short walk every evening and last night made it all the way around the block! What an accomplishment. On the other hand, it breaks my heart - because 3 months ago he was walking for an hour a day, even after finishing his radiation treatments! I hate cancer.

    We are trying to get into a routine of sorts and I am tired (I already complained about that in another post, LOL), but doing ok. We are hoping the trache comes out on 10/12 as I think he'll feel so much better both physically and mentally without the thing - it causes alot of mucous and coughing and that is affecting his ability to sleep, even with sleeping pills.

    He will be on the feeding tube for months, if not forever, and that is a difficult pill to swallow. You don't realize how much your life revolves around food until it is not a factor anymore - social activities, family get-togethers, etc... I'm not sure how we will handle these things yet.

    Trying not to get too overwhelmed, need to remember to keep thinking only one day at a time!

    Thanks for listening.

    Super
    It is good to hear that things are going well. Try to celebrate the little things. It is amazing how many things revolve around food. That is probably why Americans have weight problems. Are there things you like to do without food? That will take some creative thinking. I'm sure you will come up with things. Prayers for continued progress. Fay
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #15
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    grandmafay said:

    Super
    It is good to hear that things are going well. Try to celebrate the little things. It is amazing how many things revolve around food. That is probably why Americans have weight problems. Are there things you like to do without food? That will take some creative thinking. I'm sure you will come up with things. Prayers for continued progress. Fay

    Thanks everyone
    doing better every day. He snapped at me this morning, so that's a good sign.

    Goes back to the doctor on Tuesday and I am ready. Hopefully the trache will come out. He also has what I think is some lymphodema from the neck dissection that has his neck swelled up some.

    I am trying to think of things to do that don't involve food. We are food lovers, for sure, but well, never mind that. We love going to casinos, so can do that, also there's movies, walks, and I'm sure I'll come up with other things. He'd just sit here and do nothing if I let him. Right now I am so tired and really need the weekends to recover, but I also realize he needs to get out of the house. It's quite the balancing act. This morning we went down and had coffee with his buddies at the little shop they go to. He seemed to enjoy it.

    Oh, and today is our 28th anniversary. He went to the grocery store yesterday (he's driven a few times) and got me flowers and a card, and wrote a beautiful note in the card - which is VERY unusual for him. Usually he'll give me a card and sometimes forget to even sign it!!

    Hope all are having a decent, as restful weekend as possible.
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #16
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    kimmygarland said:

    Thanks everyone
    doing better every day. He snapped at me this morning, so that's a good sign.

    Goes back to the doctor on Tuesday and I am ready. Hopefully the trache will come out. He also has what I think is some lymphodema from the neck dissection that has his neck swelled up some.

    I am trying to think of things to do that don't involve food. We are food lovers, for sure, but well, never mind that. We love going to casinos, so can do that, also there's movies, walks, and I'm sure I'll come up with other things. He'd just sit here and do nothing if I let him. Right now I am so tired and really need the weekends to recover, but I also realize he needs to get out of the house. It's quite the balancing act. This morning we went down and had coffee with his buddies at the little shop they go to. He seemed to enjoy it.

    Oh, and today is our 28th anniversary. He went to the grocery store yesterday (he's driven a few times) and got me flowers and a card, and wrote a beautiful note in the card - which is VERY unusual for him. Usually he'll give me a card and sometimes forget to even sign it!!

    Hope all are having a decent, as restful weekend as possible.

    Happy anniversary
    That was so sweet bet ya cried! Flowers are nice but even nicer is the one you love giving them to you.
    We are people who love food too (Debbie cake in hand)so it is hard for us that way. Greg love casinos but hates to loss money . So we watch allot of tv and old movies.

    Jennie

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