There is a God!!!!

Daisylin
Daisylin Member Posts: 365
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Well, we made the call to our cancer team today, and asked again (for the third time) for a feeding tube. This time they had no argument, and are scheduling us for next week. He needs to be off chemo for a week, and his blood levels need to be good enough. I hope that with his starvation and dehydration diet these last few weeks that he'll be strong enough to have it done. I can't handle watching him fade away in front of my eyes. I know it's not a cure, but hope it helps put a little spring back in his step. He has had no energy, and I believe the lack of nutrients and hydration are largely to blame. I also think that's why he's been handling this round of chemo so badly. so, hip hip hooray!!!!!!!

Comments

  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    #2
    What a relief!
    I'm so glad to hear that you've finally gotten approval for the JTube! So sorry that you had to fight so hard and so long for Lee to get one.

    Add my prayers to yours that he is strong enough to receive it next week. You're in our thoughts & prayers!

    Terry
    wife of Nick, Stage3
  • birdiequeen
    birdiequeen Member Posts: 319
    #3
    What good news. I'm so
    What good news. I'm so happy you got some good news. I'll keep my fingers crossed till next week, that all goes as planned and Lee is strong enough to get the JTub.
  • jojoshort
    jojoshort Member Posts: 230 Member
    #4
    Hi Chantal,
    You have been a great advocate for your Lee. Hope you both get some rest and find respite and joy in these coming days.
    Jo-Ann
  • fredswilma
    fredswilma Member Posts: 185
    #5
    So very very
    So very very pleased
    Hopefully Lee will feel some relief, when he finally gets the nutrients and hydration that he needs, well done you for not giving up. Thinking of you both.
    Ann
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,391 Member
    #6
    Great News!!!
    Chantal,

    Lee is very fortunate to have such a strong advocate. I hope Lee can eat and drink enough in the next week so that he is strong enough for the procedure to insert the J-tube.

    I will be praying that he is and things go well with the procedure.

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    6/21/2010 CT Scan NED
    3/14/2011 CT Scan NED
  • unclaw2002
    unclaw2002 Member Posts: 599
    #7
    I am so glad to hear you
    I am so glad to hear you finally are able to get some help for your husband. It is so hard to watch them suffer and not be able to eat enough or even drink enough to keep up their strength. Although he may not want to try and get him out of bed as soon as possible after the procedure and walking around so he can get home, and start to get stronger. This is not a sprint for Stage IVs but a marathon and one that requires such grace under pressure. As hard as it is for us, the caregivers, I know we can't begin to understand the fear, anger, pain and exhaustion of our loved ones as they bravely try to battle the monster that is EC. You both will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Love and hugs,
    Cindy
  • json_2011
    json_2011 Member Posts: 100
    #8
    so glad to hear that your
    so glad to hear that your are getting the feeding tube. I hope everthing goes good , we will be praying for you.
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
    #9
    So glad to hear that you
    So glad to hear that you were successful in getting the ok for a feeding tube. I am sure Lee will feel much better once his get some nutrients in him! Will be thinking of you both in the days ahead.
    Cheryl
  • annalan
    annalan Member Posts: 138
    #10
    So very pleased for you
    So very pleased for you both. You certainly deserve all the help you can get. Third time lucky. God bless.
    Ann (2)
  • rose20
    rose20 Member Posts: 258
    #11
    Yes, there is a God!!!
    And He hears our every cry, even those that choose not to believe in Him He still loves them so much because He created them.
    I do hope and pray that the procedure of the feeding tube goes well and your husband will begin to feel much stronger.
    My brother still refuses a feeding tube, as each one has a right to make their own decisions, but he does now go and get hydration twice a week and it has helped him tremendously, so I can imagine what having a feeding tube can do.
    So keep us updated on how it all goes.
    Prayers are with you!!
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #12
    rose20 said:

    Yes, there is a God!!!
    And He hears our every cry, even those that choose not to believe in Him He still loves them so much because He created them.
    I do hope and pray that the procedure of the feeding tube goes well and your husband will begin to feel much stronger.
    My brother still refuses a feeding tube, as each one has a right to make their own decisions, but he does now go and get hydration twice a week and it has helped him tremendously, so I can imagine what having a feeding tube can do.
    So keep us updated on how it all goes.
    Prayers are with you!!

    thank you
    Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I'm so glad all of you told me the benefits of feeding tubes. Our doctor never even mentioned it to us as a plan of action, and I pretty much needed to get down on my knees and beg for it. I feel like I need to be 3 steps ahead of him at all times. Maybe I'm just being judgemental, but I'm starting to think that our doctor is an idiot.... (sorry, I'm not trying to spark another debate on that matter, just venting a bit)

    I was so excited when the nurse called yesterday I didn't even ask what kind of tube they'd be putting in, but will keep you posted. I feel like a kid at Christmas. Silly, I know, but I just can't wait to see him *hopefully* get back some energy and zest for life. I'm also going to see about getting some hydration in the meantime, he's barely drinking anything, and what he does drink seems to come right back up again. As of yesterday, his urine was brown, not a good sign I know, could be liver failure or severe dehydration. I'm hoping it's the latter, and a boost of liquids will solve that matter.

    Take care all,
    Chantal
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
    #13
    Daisylin said:

    thank you
    Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I'm so glad all of you told me the benefits of feeding tubes. Our doctor never even mentioned it to us as a plan of action, and I pretty much needed to get down on my knees and beg for it. I feel like I need to be 3 steps ahead of him at all times. Maybe I'm just being judgemental, but I'm starting to think that our doctor is an idiot.... (sorry, I'm not trying to spark another debate on that matter, just venting a bit)

    I was so excited when the nurse called yesterday I didn't even ask what kind of tube they'd be putting in, but will keep you posted. I feel like a kid at Christmas. Silly, I know, but I just can't wait to see him *hopefully* get back some energy and zest for life. I'm also going to see about getting some hydration in the meantime, he's barely drinking anything, and what he does drink seems to come right back up again. As of yesterday, his urine was brown, not a good sign I know, could be liver failure or severe dehydration. I'm hoping it's the latter, and a boost of liquids will solve that matter.

    Take care all,
    Chantal

    Hang in there! Hope Lee got
    Hang in there! Hope Lee got some hydration today. I know it really helped Rickie to feel better the couple of times he had it. Keep us posted and know that we are thinking of you both.
    Cheryl
    Wife of Rickie, stage IV EC dx Oct. 2010
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    #14
    cher76 said:

    Hang in there! Hope Lee got
    Hang in there! Hope Lee got some hydration today. I know it really helped Rickie to feel better the couple of times he had it. Keep us posted and know that we are thinking of you both.
    Cheryl
    Wife of Rickie, stage IV EC dx Oct. 2010

    update
    We actually were able to take 2 steps forward today! The doctor prescribed hydration, and after some confusion and lots of waiting the nurse came to the house and installed the iv line and started the fluid. She will come to the house every day to hook up the iv until his g-tube surgery, which is scheduled for Monday morning. I know that for many of you, that is an every day event, but it seems like a hard won battle for us.

    The nursing service also will come to show us g-tube care, then switch to a pain and symptom management team. I guess this must be what you all call hospice care? I have not heard of hospice before, other than homes for the final stages of life. We are so grateful for this service, we had visions of having to go to the hospital for 4 hours every day for hydration. What a relief! He seems to be much perkier this morning, I think it really helped.

    And lastly, I wish to state that in my vent yesterday, I called the oncologist an idiot. He is not an idiot. What he is, is conservative. Both in his treatment and his information sharing. Guess I just needed to let off some frustration, and did not choose my words wisely.

    Thanks for all your well wishes,
    Chantal

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