Update on Brendon

Susie_Brendon

Brendon is finally able to eat a little bit more... yesterday I called him at lunch and he had finally went and got him the platter of nachos he has been craving for weeks from the local mexican resturant. He mostly ate some of the meat and cheese and a few soggy chips, but I was sooo happy for him!!! He did comment that they were spicier than he remembered!!!

Since we lowered the rate of the feeding tube by 30mL and decreased the number of cans, he has not had the nightly vomitting anymore! Yep yep yep, just call me Dr. Susie from now on!! haha!!

Friday and Monday will be big days for us. We have our followup CT's, blood work, EKG, pulmonary functions tests, stress tests, and another EGD. I pray and pray that the chemo and radiation have done their job on the Beast and he will still be a candidate for Dr. Luketich's MIE surgery on May 27th. We won't get the results back from the scans/scope until May 3rd. (it's the waiting time that is the worst!!)

I am relieved that he is finally able to eat a little bit here and there. Brendon went almost 2 whole weeks with nothing but the feeding tube and I was so scared and worried. Anyway, just thought I would keep everyone up to date.. (and plus, I am procrastinating at work!!!)

Susie

Donna70

great news!!
Susie,
So glad to hear how Brendon is doing and finally got to eat his craving food!!!! I will be keeping you and Brendon in my prayers and hoping that all the tests only move him closer to his surgery!!! He is down the home stretch now and will be running the race very shortly! take care and many good wishes,
Donna70

BMGky

Keep up the good work!!
Sounds like you are doing the best. Changing the amount of jtube feeding seems to have helped him. When my husband was going through the pre-op treatment, he faced so many challenges, and oftentimes, we together had to make decision about feeding and medicines, etc. Of course, we always contacted the doctors, but sometimes our daily experiences indicate a change is needed. I found it helpful to keep a daily log (which we are still maintaining one year post op) as to weight, BP, sugar, pain, bodily function, medicines taken and any events that occurred. In one instance I even used my iPhone to film some aberrant movements that were occurring when sleeping. The doctor immediately changed a medication that was an unexpected side effect. It is interesting to see how the log has changed. His "vitals" are now better than mine. This time a year ago, he was still in the hospital and just having left ICU. He had the Ivor Lewis procedure and experienced atrial fibrillation--which can frequently occur with the IL. We weren't expecting it but the doctors were and immediately addressed this significant occurrence. Fortunately, his heart was strong enough to withstand the event. I understand MIE is much less traumatic. I'm very excited you have the chance for surgery. Continued best wishes.

Tina Blondek

Great!!!
Hello Susie and Brendon
Such good good news. Thank you for sharing. Prayers are continuing today throughout 5/27.
Tina in Va

linda1120

Great News
Great news that Brendon got to eat and isn't getting sick anymore. I understand your excitement too! I was just talking to our daughter on the phone and telling her how good her dad did eating his dinner!!!!! Too funny, my almost 69 yr old husband having me bragging about his eating... It is wonderful to be able to laugh again, and to hear your joy.

Linda

Joel C

linda1120 said:

Great News
Great news that Brendon got to eat and isn't getting sick anymore. I understand your excitement too! I was just talking to our daughter on the phone and telling her how good her dad did eating his dinner!!!!! Too funny, my almost 69 yr old husband having me bragging about his eating... It is wonderful to be able to laugh again, and to hear your joy.

Linda

That too funny Susie
After my chemo and radiation one of the first foods I just had to have was nachos. Like Brendon I had to pick out the soft ones but boy they tasted great. I guess great minds really do think alike. During the time between treatment and surgery my wife and I hit the local brewery/pub for a plate of nachos and a cold craft beer (great for the calories). And like you guys we were trying to enjoy ourselves but the truth was we were scared to the core waiting to see how I responded to treatment. When the news came back that all looked good to move forward with the surgery it was a huge relief. Funny thing was after we got the ok for surgery there was no fear of the surgery. I guess I felt like I did all I could do and now it was in the hands of god and my surgeon. Even the night before the surgery I slept like a baby and then the next day I drove the 2 hours to the hospital. When we arrived at the hospital with a suitcase under my arm my wife and I looked like we were there on vacation, of course the next day I looked the vacation was over. But with great care and support you make it through.

2B (T2N1M0) 49 years old.

Thinking of both you,
Joel

Susie_Brendon

Joel C said:

That too funny Susie
After my chemo and radiation one of the first foods I just had to have was nachos. Like Brendon I had to pick out the soft ones but boy they tasted great. I guess great minds really do think alike. During the time between treatment and surgery my wife and I hit the local brewery/pub for a plate of nachos and a cold craft beer (great for the calories). And like you guys we were trying to enjoy ourselves but the truth was we were scared to the core waiting to see how I responded to treatment. When the news came back that all looked good to move forward with the surgery it was a huge relief. Funny thing was after we got the ok for surgery there was no fear of the surgery. I guess I felt like I did all I could do and now it was in the hands of god and my surgeon. Even the night before the surgery I slept like a baby and then the next day I drove the 2 hours to the hospital. When we arrived at the hospital with a suitcase under my arm my wife and I looked like we were there on vacation, of course the next day I looked the vacation was over. But with great care and support you make it through.

2B (T2N1M0) 49 years old.

Thinking of both you,
Joel

Ahhh Thanks Joel!
Let me guess...you also wanted some pizza?!?! :-)

Thank you for sharing your story and yes, we are excited about the eating...but still scared until we get the news about how treatment went. I know I will sleep better once I know something. It's the unknown that is the scariest.

Thanks again for makin' me smile... boys and their nachos!!!

Susie