We hit a bump in the road.

nancyann3

It seems we have hit a bump in the road of our journey, and as a the caregiver, I cant help but ask myself where I went wrong.

We were so excited that the chemo has worked so will (he had three rounds) and now was going to see the surgeon. We went in Wed. for a contrast Ct for the surgeon to look at and tell us if surgery was in order now. What they found was blood clots in his lung and possible pheumonia. After testing they found to sourse of the clots in his leg. He wasn't having much for symptoms from this other then extra fatiuge and a slight fever that we thought was from a virus and sore throat. He was admited to the hospital and put on three antibiotics and a heprin drip. The fever is gone and he is not having any side effects from the clots in the lung. They are not sure if the area in the lung is pneumonia or damage from the clot. Not sure if the fever was from infection or clots, but he is responding well. The good news from the scan is there has been no new progression of the cancer.

The bad new is all treatment for the cancer is on hold now and that scares me. Wonder how long we can go with out chemo or surgery before the cancer runs wild again. The doctor says everyone is different. I hate those answers.

I think the clots my have started from a bout of dehydration he had after the last treatment. I know chemo makes you more prone to clots anyway and dehydration adds to it.

I always feel like I am to new at this to give much advice, but if I gave anyone that is newly diagnose, I would tell them the three most important things you can do before, during and after treatments is to Eat, Drink, and be active.

Thanks for listening
Nancy

unclaw2002

Nancy,
So sorry to hear
Nancy,

So sorry to hear about your bump in the road --- but relieved to hear they found the clots and are treating them before they did any real damage or caused a stroke. That is great news though about the progress from the chemo. Have faith as soon as your husband is well enough and the clots have cleared up I am sure they will start treatment again. Of course it will depend on your husband's attitude and how quickly he bounces back --- does those exercises you mentioned above and eats.

Good luck, perhaps you can discuss with the doctor now what needs to happen to get back on track with the treatment plan. Perhaps some goals and guideposts can encourge him to work a little harder to get to the finish line.

keep the faith.

Cindy

K_ann1015

YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!
Nancy,
YOU DID NOTHING WRONG!
But that is easy to say than to FEEL. We all want to be on top of everything and humanly - we can't prevent all complications. Just try to see the silver lining in each little setback. Thanks for sharing this info with people on this site---there are a lot of new folks and from my dad's experience--you are so correct with the suggestion: "three most important things you can do before, during and after treatments is to Eat, Drink, and Be Active"! He'll need to take a little time off chemo to heal and prevent further complications---but prayers that he can get treatment started again once he's better!
Hang in there!
Kim

paul61

You did nothing wrong
Nancy,

You certainly did nothing wrong!!! If you husbands doctors did not suspect the blood clots there is certainly no way you could have known. It sounds like he has a wonderful caregiver and champion in you and is very fortunate to have had the CT when he did.

These delays can be frustrating but moving forward with a positive outlook and prayer is always the best approach.

Don't forget to take some time to be nice to Nancy, we sometimes forget that caregivers need support as well.

I will be praying that the delay in treatment will be short and you and your husband are soon back in making progress on the original treatment plan

Best Regards,

Paul Adams
AKA "paul61"
McCormick, South Carolina

nancyann3

paul61 said:

You did nothing wrong
Nancy,

You certainly did nothing wrong!!! If you husbands doctors did not suspect the blood clots there is certainly no way you could have known. It sounds like he has a wonderful caregiver and champion in you and is very fortunate to have had the CT when he did.

These delays can be frustrating but moving forward with a positive outlook and prayer is always the best approach.

Don't forget to take some time to be nice to Nancy, we sometimes forget that caregivers need support as well.

I will be praying that the delay in treatment will be short and you and your husband are soon back in making progress on the original treatment plan

Best Regards,

Paul Adams
AKA "paul61"
McCormick, South Carolina

Thanks to everyone for your support.
This site is so supportive. We live away from either of our families, so I am the sole caregiver to hubby and our two kids and work full time too, so this site has been a God send to me!

Hubby is home and feels pretty good. I have always pushed for him to be active, but he always resists. I think he may be understanding how important it is. We both missed signs we should have seen, but hind site is always 20/20. I am just thankful he has responed to the antibiotics and blood thinners so well. Another bit of good new is we are still seeing the surgeon Monday. I am so excited. This doctor has been the driving force in his treatment. When the med oncs didn't think surgery was possible, this doc did and he turned the med oncs around. I really hope my gut feeling about this doc is right. Wish us luck!

Nancy

dragonflymom

Hi Nancy,
I just wanted to
Hi Nancy,

I just wanted to share with you the experience my mom had with this. She had a pain in her leg mid-March. This was two months after the start of her chemo/radiation regimen. The doctors in the ER didn't think it was a clot but did the u/s anyway. Sure enough, she had clots in her leg and lung. She is now on Lovenox. The doctors just told her what you already know, chemotherapy makes one more susceptible to clots. Trust me, it sounds to me as though you are doing everything you are suppose to be doing as a caregiver. These things, although a bummer, just happen.

Forgot to mention that my mom also has pneumonia. She is basically on permanent antibiotics for it. Again, one of those things that are common with this beast.

Take care, I hope that your husband is able to continue therapy soon.

Amy