Pam in hospital

tabur
tabur Member Posts: 71
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Man this sux. She had her 3rd TACE treatment of the year in Oct, just trying to keep the liver mets from growing. In November, she had all the scans and the onc was pleased the growth had stopped (or at least really slowed). He was concerned about the bile ducts but wanted to give her a break for the holidays. She was so happy about that. She was looking forward to spending the holidays with our two granddaughters without any treatments going on.

Within the last two days, the right side of her abdomen bulged, for lack of a better word, and was hard as a rock. She also became extremely fatigued. I contacted her onc and he said I better bring her in.

Her blood work and CT were virtually unchanged from a month ago except for the hemoglobin. Also, her blood pressure is really low. She was admitted and they are giving her a transfusion. We meet with the onc in the morning.

She could sure use some good vibes.....

Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulders a bit.

Al
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Comments

  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    GOOD VIBES
    are on the way! I am sorry that Pam is in hospital. I hope they fix her up quickly + she gets her break + Christmas wishes.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    Bummer
    Wow that is hard news to take. Sorry that this is going on. Hoping that it is nothing serious and she is fine. Sending prayers and good vibes right now. Please keep us informed.

    Kim
  • bruins1971
    bruins1971 Member Posts: 227
    So very sorry to hear she is
    So very sorry to hear she is in the hospital. Sending good thoughts your way and prayers things will get better soon
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    You just
    Go ahead, you just cry all you want on our shoulders, we're here, we can handle it.
    I'm sending all the good vibes, best thoughts ever and some prayers her way.
    You let Pam know, we're all here thinking good thoughts and cyber standing next to her, holding her hand along with you.
    Winter Marie
  • chicoturner
    chicoturner Member Posts: 282
    Pam you are in my thoughts
    Pam you are in my thoughts and prayers. Jean
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    Sorry
    Oh, Al.

    I'm very sorry about this turn of events. Please tell Pam I'm praying for her!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    Hey Al
    Post away. That's what we are here for. I am sending out some very good vibes to you and Pam. I will be hoping that they get this whatever it is under control and have her home for the holiday with the grandchildren. Much love and hugs to you!
  • newperson
    newperson Member Posts: 76
    good vibes to Pam
    I'm sending my best wishes and good vibes to Pam. Hang in there. Hope Pam will get home soon and enjoy the holidays with your grandchildren. - Lucy
  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    So sorry
    So sorry to hear that Pam is having some issues and is in the hopsital.

    Hoping that the doc can make sense of it all and get her out of there and back on her feet for the holidays.

    Come back and let us know how she is doing, and whenever you need a shoulder...we got plenty here and they are all yours.

    Take care Al and tell Pam we are wishing her well.

    Marie who loves kitties
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    Al:
    I'm so sorry Pam is feeling so poorly. Hopefully, they can figure things out, patch her up, and get Pam home to enjoy the holidays with family. You and Pam are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Hang in there, I know as a caregiver myself how difficult that is.

    Tina
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    geotina said:

    Al:
    I'm so sorry Pam is feeling so poorly. Hopefully, they can figure things out, patch her up, and get Pam home to enjoy the holidays with family. You and Pam are in our thoughts and prayers.

    Hang in there, I know as a caregiver myself how difficult that is.

    Tina

    Feel so sorry for the news ! hope everything will be
    fixed out in a very short time!
    Best vibes and prayers from here!
  • mommyof2kds
    mommyof2kds Member Posts: 519
    Positive vibes and energy
    Positive vibes and energy comming your way.. Petrina
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    Al
    Hey, let's get this lady home for the holidays - she has earned this time.

    Hospital will be able to give this a good eyeball and come up with something - wishing you peace and comfort in the coming weeks:)

    -Craig
  • luv3jay
    luv3jay Member Posts: 533 Member
    My thoughts and prayers are
    My thoughts and prayers are with you guys! Hope you both have a wonderful holiday with the grandkids.

    -Sheri
  • CherylHutch
    CherylHutch Member Posts: 1,375
    Positive energy being sent your way!
    Al, you are right... it totally sucks! But, hopefully she will have a quick stay at the hospital, they will find out what's wrong and causing the problem... then fix it. With a little bit of luck, she'll be home within a week, feeling better than she has in months... and will totally enjoy the holidays with those two grandchildren.

    I'm sending healing, positive energy your way... enough for both of you!

    Cheryl
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    Al
    Al,
    My thoughts, prayers and good vibes are coming your way. I am sorry Pam is in the hospital. I hope they can get things under control and you can enjoy the holidays.

    Thinking of both of you.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • tabur
    tabur Member Posts: 71
    Thank you...
    ...for the vibes.

    Pam was discharged Friday afternoon and what normally would be a 3 1/2 hour drive home turned into 5 hours. Not sure I could handle living in DC. I was exhausted and can only imagine how she felt.

    The CT revealed a slight growth of the tumor but also a swollen liver. The distention of the right side of her abdomen is still very obvious. On the up side, the Dr. said there is no evidence of internal bleeding or jaundice and her liver panel shows mostly normal liver functions. The concern continues to be the Alk Phos level which has gone up a bit to 760. They are still concerned about bile duct obstruction. The other issue was her very low blood pressure. They gave her 2 units of blood to try to “juice her up.” Explains her fatigue.

    Her onc explained two clinical trials that she was a candidate for. One involved a new regiment of existing chemo drugs administered by IV. She immediately said no to that one. All nurses and techs have a real tough time getting at a vein and she cries from pain every time she gets an IV. She had a port a year and a half ago but it had to be removed due to complications. The second trial consisted of Xeloda and an experimental drug called ABT-888, some kind of enzyme inhibitor. These would both be taken orally. He’s had a 25% positive response so far (minor shrinkage of tumor or no growth) and said it’s been very well tolerated. I really thought she would give this a try but she is now refusing any more chemo. She had Xeloda before and tolerated it very well so I don’t understand.

    Last Monday, I took her to a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Practitioner. He made it clear that he cannot cure her cancer but felt confident he could make her feel better and increase the quality of her life. I’m not sure how I feel about TCM but the important thing is, she is sold on the idea; unfortunately, at the exclusion of other options. I explained we could do both but she refuses more chemo. I am not in her shoes and am trying to respect this decision but I feel it is wrong. It’s a matter of quality and quantity. Assuming TCM can increase the quality of her life, and I certainly hope it does, it seems to me that chemo is the best option for increasing the quantity of her life.

    For the first 30 years of our marriage, she has taken care of me, our home and our children. Now, for the past two years our roles have reversed and I am happy to take care of her and our home (our children are grown). I love her more now than I ever have. I have been with her through every treatment, test, poke and probe. She has been so brave but I know she is exhausted. I also know her well enough to know what buttons I could push to make her participate in the trial, but do I have that right? The trial is almost full and the Dr. needs an answer by Monday. I don’t know what to do. This is the lowest point of my life, either way I go seems wrong. I guess if the TCM works we can always look for another trial but I think it would be difficult to find one that doesn’t involve needles. I also wonder if we can afford the time.

    Sorry this post is so long. I’m not even looking for answers (although your opinions are always welcome). I just needed to unload some weight and you guys are the strongest people I know.

    Al
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    shoulders
    Hi Al,

    I'm sorry to hear about what's going on with Pam. Even though our shoulders here are just "cyber shoulders" for you to cry on, you know we're all here for you. I know how much it means to me anytime I need some support- everyone here is so great.
    I am saying a prayer right now that things will be okay with Pam and that the doctors can find out asap what is going on and treat it effectively.

    Hang in there & keep coming back here when you need it & please keep us updated on Pam-

    Lisa
  • lisa42
    lisa42 Member Posts: 3,625 Member
    lisa42 said:

    shoulders
    Hi Al,

    I'm sorry to hear about what's going on with Pam. Even though our shoulders here are just "cyber shoulders" for you to cry on, you know we're all here for you. I know how much it means to me anytime I need some support- everyone here is so great.
    I am saying a prayer right now that things will be okay with Pam and that the doctors can find out asap what is going on and treat it effectively.

    Hang in there & keep coming back here when you need it & please keep us updated on Pam-

    Lisa

    posted before I saw the update
    Hi again Al,

    I didn't read your update on Pam until after I already replied to your orignial post.
    Well, even though Pam doesn't want any more chemo, perhaps TCM will do the job. Please keep us updated-

    Prayers for you and Pam-
    Lisa
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    tabur said:

    Thank you...
    ...for the vibes.

    Pam was discharged Friday afternoon and what normally would be a 3 1/2 hour drive home turned into 5 hours. Not sure I could handle living in DC. I was exhausted and can only imagine how she felt.

    The CT revealed a slight growth of the tumor but also a swollen liver. The distention of the right side of her abdomen is still very obvious. On the up side, the Dr. said there is no evidence of internal bleeding or jaundice and her liver panel shows mostly normal liver functions. The concern continues to be the Alk Phos level which has gone up a bit to 760. They are still concerned about bile duct obstruction. The other issue was her very low blood pressure. They gave her 2 units of blood to try to “juice her up.” Explains her fatigue.

    Her onc explained two clinical trials that she was a candidate for. One involved a new regiment of existing chemo drugs administered by IV. She immediately said no to that one. All nurses and techs have a real tough time getting at a vein and she cries from pain every time she gets an IV. She had a port a year and a half ago but it had to be removed due to complications. The second trial consisted of Xeloda and an experimental drug called ABT-888, some kind of enzyme inhibitor. These would both be taken orally. He’s had a 25% positive response so far (minor shrinkage of tumor or no growth) and said it’s been very well tolerated. I really thought she would give this a try but she is now refusing any more chemo. She had Xeloda before and tolerated it very well so I don’t understand.

    Last Monday, I took her to a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Practitioner. He made it clear that he cannot cure her cancer but felt confident he could make her feel better and increase the quality of her life. I’m not sure how I feel about TCM but the important thing is, she is sold on the idea; unfortunately, at the exclusion of other options. I explained we could do both but she refuses more chemo. I am not in her shoes and am trying to respect this decision but I feel it is wrong. It’s a matter of quality and quantity. Assuming TCM can increase the quality of her life, and I certainly hope it does, it seems to me that chemo is the best option for increasing the quantity of her life.

    For the first 30 years of our marriage, she has taken care of me, our home and our children. Now, for the past two years our roles have reversed and I am happy to take care of her and our home (our children are grown). I love her more now than I ever have. I have been with her through every treatment, test, poke and probe. She has been so brave but I know she is exhausted. I also know her well enough to know what buttons I could push to make her participate in the trial, but do I have that right? The trial is almost full and the Dr. needs an answer by Monday. I don’t know what to do. This is the lowest point of my life, either way I go seems wrong. I guess if the TCM works we can always look for another trial but I think it would be difficult to find one that doesn’t involve needles. I also wonder if we can afford the time.

    Sorry this post is so long. I’m not even looking for answers (although your opinions are always welcome). I just needed to unload some weight and you guys are the strongest people I know.

    Al

    Al
    I am by no means any kind of expert on TCM ... but, I've heard John23 say that TCM works slower and chemo works faster. Perhaps if you put it to her that way she might agree to try both? The Xeloda and ABT-888 trial for the faster effect while doing the TCM and letting it build up in her system for the longer effect?

    It's so tough because it sounds like she's just plain old tired of it all. I think we all get that way sometimes. Maybe after getting some rest at home she will have a better mindset to deal with everything.

    I will be praying for you both, I can feel your love, frustration and fear for her. HUGS to you both.