In the hospital

NJShore
NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member

Well, he finally told the doctor today, he feels weak and can't keep up. With one rad left for tomorrow. Dans done really well, but he needs some help across the finish line. He's sleeping with the meds, they are working on getting his meds realigned, hydrating him, and getting the pain level down from an eight. Maybe we will both sleep tonight.

thanks for everyone's comments, I've been running around with little time to reply, but I still think about you all throughout my day with good wishes and prayers.

kari

Comments

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    Kari

    Sorry Dan is in the hospital but it sounds like that is what will get him over this bump in the road. One more rad...that's wonderful! It will all get better from here.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    I'm sorry he had to go....

    ...but glad he's there.....you know what I mean Smile...right?  I know he didn't want to go at all, but getting in there, and getting the hydration he needs will give him the strength that he didn't realize he was losing as it ebbed away.  Hydration is the most subtle detractor from everything good, that I can think of....too bad the one thing that doesn't happen when you get dehydrated is you don't feel thirsty.  Just weak, hurting, depressed, sick, dizzy....and there are more symptoms, I just can't remember them all....

    You'll get some much needed rest, too....and that's precisely what you need.....

    ONE MORE AND HE IS DONE!!!   WHOO HOO!!!  Things will start looking up soon.....just not having to go there when you feel so crappy is a relief.

    p

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    Things will look better soon !

    Kari,

    A big part of healing is staying hydrated....but more importantly keeping that pain level down to a point where we can stay hydrated.  I'm happy to hear this will be addressed for you guys !  Yes you get some well deserved rest yourself !  You've been a real trooper.  Hopefully now things will be tons better for him !   Katie

  • arndog64
    arndog64 Member Posts: 537

    Things will look better soon !

    Kari,

    A big part of healing is staying hydrated....but more importantly keeping that pain level down to a point where we can stay hydrated.  I'm happy to hear this will be addressed for you guys !  Yes you get some well deserved rest yourself !  You've been a real trooper.  Hopefully now things will be tons better for him !   Katie

    My husband told me he felt

    My husband told me he felt safe in the hospital when he was on his last leg of treatments and thereafter. I guess he felt so horrible and in so much pain that they would help manage his pain. Everyone is still different but he still can't go without pain meds. He forget to take his morning dose the other day and we were grocery shopping, he was like, " get what you need and lets get out of here." I just dont understand why he is still suffering from painalmost 2 years out.

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    Hospital

    Definitely one of the best places you can be if something pops up...

    Thoughts & Prayers ~ John

  • luvofmylif
    luvofmylif Member Posts: 344
    Skiffin16 said:

    Hospital

    Definitely one of the best places you can be if something pops up...

    Thoughts & Prayers ~ John

    Hoping you are getting though

    Hoping you are getting though the worst of it. That is so exciting that you only have one more radiation. I remember how much of a relief it is to finish it. It is such a long haul. Soon he will start feeling better. Hang in there. I know what you guys are going through.

    Joan

  • Laralyn
    Laralyn Member Posts: 532
    That was about when I went in too...

    My oncologist said the amount I was hospitalized (twice, for about 3-4 days each) is average or even on the low end for H&N cancer treatments. So this is pretty normal and, as Phrannie said, good from the perspective that he can get better medications and hyfration. Hang in there--the treatments will be over soon and the healing can begin!

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
    Laralyn said:

    That was about when I went in too...

    My oncologist said the amount I was hospitalized (twice, for about 3-4 days each) is average or even on the low end for H&N cancer treatments. So this is pretty normal and, as Phrannie said, good from the perspective that he can get better medications and hyfration. Hang in there--the treatments will be over soon and the healing can begin!

    Another day..

    Dans been doing well, they upped his fentanyl patch again, and he still gets breakthrough pain, but more importantly, he hasn't gotten sick since yesterday and he started back on soft foods today. Now if we could get him to drink too. He says when he drinks he's nauseated and complains that it's exhausting. And I am sure it is, it just not an option. I am thinking of getting him one of the water backpacks that hikers use. You bend forward and sip From a lapel clip straw.. Anyone think its a good or bad idea?

    They are also trying to set up home infusions, (no port or peg), since we are 65 miles away, and I'd love to part with the hotel bill, and see my dog! And not have to push anymore elevator buttons... so there's a chance we might get to see home soon.. 

    hes got more progress to make, but I am so relieved he's headed in the right direction!

    thanks again for all your support everyone.. You all make me feel - not alone!

    Kari

  • Laralyn
    Laralyn Member Posts: 532
    NJShore said:

    Another day..

    Dans been doing well, they upped his fentanyl patch again, and he still gets breakthrough pain, but more importantly, he hasn't gotten sick since yesterday and he started back on soft foods today. Now if we could get him to drink too. He says when he drinks he's nauseated and complains that it's exhausting. And I am sure it is, it just not an option. I am thinking of getting him one of the water backpacks that hikers use. You bend forward and sip From a lapel clip straw.. Anyone think its a good or bad idea?

    They are also trying to set up home infusions, (no port or peg), since we are 65 miles away, and I'd love to part with the hotel bill, and see my dog! And not have to push anymore elevator buttons... so there's a chance we might get to see home soon.. 

    hes got more progress to make, but I am so relieved he's headed in the right direction!

    thanks again for all your support everyone.. You all make me feel - not alone!

    Kari

    Don't know if this is true for Dan...

    ...or even relevant, but in my case the narcotics were a big CAUSE of the nausea. It's why I was hospitalized twice. The narcotics put me into gastroparesis, and my stomach/digestion shut down. We didn't even realize this until I was able to ease off the fentanyl.

    He probably can't slow down on the narcotics yet, but I wanted to mention that so you know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. The narcotics are essential but they mess with your system in a bunch of different ways. As he starts to feel better over the next weeks and months and stops taking them, the nausea and tiredness may start to ease up a bit too!

  • VanessaSLO
    VanessaSLO Member Posts: 283
    Laralyn said:

    Don't know if this is true for Dan...

    ...or even relevant, but in my case the narcotics were a big CAUSE of the nausea. It's why I was hospitalized twice. The narcotics put me into gastroparesis, and my stomach/digestion shut down. We didn't even realize this until I was able to ease off the fentanyl.

    He probably can't slow down on the narcotics yet, but I wanted to mention that so you know there's a light at the end of the tunnel. The narcotics are essential but they mess with your system in a bunch of different ways. As he starts to feel better over the next weeks and months and stops taking them, the nausea and tiredness may start to ease up a bit too!

    My dad

    My dad was hospitalized a week before his tx ended. He was dehydrated and in so much pain that he could not drink or eat anything. So they admitted him and put IV fluids. He stayed in hospital for a week. Then his rads and chemo were finished and they sent him home for recovery. But as they say that first two weeks are the worst, he was admitted again just two days after he was sent home. His pain was very strong. He stayed in hospital then for 3 weeks on IV fluids and pain meds. He said to us that he felt safe there as he had everything that he needed. He never had PEG though....

    He was never on strong narcotics because they made him extremely nauseated. They gave him Emend, but he still refused narcotics because they did more harm then good. He never had a patch. But he had some strong pills that he took three times a day and they helped a bit.

    But it will be ok, you'll see. He just needs a few more weeks!! My dad was hit very hard and recovery for him vas very difficult. But he managed without PEG and with those pain meds and antidepressant. After three months he started to feel much better. So, what I'm trying to say is that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel! Some people need more time, some people less. But for all there is a light!

  • VanessaSLO
    VanessaSLO Member Posts: 283

    My dad

    My dad was hospitalized a week before his tx ended. He was dehydrated and in so much pain that he could not drink or eat anything. So they admitted him and put IV fluids. He stayed in hospital for a week. Then his rads and chemo were finished and they sent him home for recovery. But as they say that first two weeks are the worst, he was admitted again just two days after he was sent home. His pain was very strong. He stayed in hospital then for 3 weeks on IV fluids and pain meds. He said to us that he felt safe there as he had everything that he needed. He never had PEG though....

    He was never on strong narcotics because they made him extremely nauseated. They gave him Emend, but he still refused narcotics because they did more harm then good. He never had a patch. But he had some strong pills that he took three times a day and they helped a bit.

    But it will be ok, you'll see. He just needs a few more weeks!! My dad was hit very hard and recovery for him vas very difficult. But he managed without PEG and with those pain meds and antidepressant. After three months he started to feel much better. So, what I'm trying to say is that there IS a light at the end of the tunnel! Some people need more time, some people less. But for all there is a light!

    One more thing.... drinking water...

    About drinking water to maintain his hydration... My dad COULD NOT tolerate pure water no matter what temperature it was. Simply he said that it made him sick and his stomack automatically refused it.

    Now, still four months after tx he still does not like water. BUT, he is drinking light fruit or camomille tea, or.... I don't know how you call it in America... grain coffee: it is actually white coffee without caffeine (children can drink it). It is made from grain, chicory I think. Well that he can still tolerate and he likes to drink it. But still no water. Weird, but true, he sais that water tickles and hurts when he drinks it.

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
    Rumors have it...

    That soon we might be able to get out of here.. And not back to a hotel, but HOME!

    we found out today that our insurance covers hydration IVs at home! If Vivian can handle it, I bet I can learn a new trick too!

    Dancing in the halls here!

    the poor intern though, is getting the run around that I was frustrated by from the prescription insurance.. hopefully it does get in our way!

    thank you all, hope to post soon from HOME!

    Kari

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member

    One more thing.... drinking water...

    About drinking water to maintain his hydration... My dad COULD NOT tolerate pure water no matter what temperature it was. Simply he said that it made him sick and his stomack automatically refused it.

    Now, still four months after tx he still does not like water. BUT, he is drinking light fruit or camomille tea, or.... I don't know how you call it in America... grain coffee: it is actually white coffee without caffeine (children can drink it). It is made from grain, chicory I think. Well that he can still tolerate and he likes to drink it. But still no water. Weird, but true, he sais that water tickles and hurts when he drinks it.

    roobios and tisanes

    Vanessa,

     

    When you mentioned "light fruit" and tea it got me thinking about the various roobios and tisanes that you might try to see if any suit your Dad better. Of course, you can dilute as desired to get the right level of taste and comfort. As it seems you are in here in the States, you can view these links for ideas. There are far more varities available but this should get you started. I'm sure you can obtain these locally. Good luck Don

    http://www.silvertipstea.com/fusionecommerce/browse/Fruit_Tisanes/

    http://www.silvertipstea.com/fusionecommerce/browse/Blends/

  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    NJShore said:

    Rumors have it...

    That soon we might be able to get out of here.. And not back to a hotel, but HOME!

    we found out today that our insurance covers hydration IVs at home! If Vivian can handle it, I bet I can learn a new trick too!

    Dancing in the halls here!

    the poor intern though, is getting the run around that I was frustrated by from the prescription insurance.. hopefully it does get in our way!

    thank you all, hope to post soon from HOME!

    Kari

    Wow I am happy for you

    Kari,

    There is nothing like being home.  I am glad that home infusions are covered by your insurance.  It has been a God send for us.  David would be dehydrated everyday without the liter infused daily.  It takes a lot of worry from me as I don't have to figure out how to make him drink constantly.  He just gets so sick from too much in his stomach.  Hopefully this will do the trick for you as well.  It helps you pick your battles for sure.

  • ToBeGolden
    ToBeGolden Member Posts: 695
    Sorry

    Sorry I'm too sick right now to give advice or any real support. But I am still trying to follow Dan's journey and pray for him. Rick.

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member

    Sorry

    Sorry I'm too sick right now to give advice or any real support. But I am still trying to follow Dan's journey and pray for him. Rick.

    Rick

    Rick,

    you are so thoughtful, thank you so much for your prayers. I am so very sorry that you are having a rough time right now. You too are in my prayers and I have always benefited from your sage advice.. Feel better my friend.

    Kari