in final days
Carl_Renee
Member Posts: 84
Just an update to let everyone know we moved on to Comfort Care Monday evening. Labs just weren't improving as hoped with dialysis. Kidney dr.s came in Monday before my meeting with other dr.s, palliative care etc and questioned why it was ever offered as a possible help. I told them they offered it to me as a last ditched effort they had seen it work but had never done it. Was a long shot and I felt that if I did it and it worked great he still got to be with his kids and watch them grow, if not then at least we tried and knew for sure his body was just done.
So was the liver resection his best option... w/o surgery they gave maybe 3-6 mos, with surgery up to 2+yrs. From what they have seen they don't understand why this all happened. The tissue around the tumor they removed showed to be good, the ultrasounds showed good blood flow thru the liver. So where Carl can't be a donor as he has listed on his license I am allowing an autopsy when the time comes to not only hopefully give us closure for why things went the way they went but to also hopefully help the next person this may happen to.
This has been an incredibly hard couple years esp past 2 1/2 mos. I wish we could have made more of the time, but really as tired as he was, all the ER visits, hospital stays we did do what we could when he had good days. We were starting to get to a point of being able to do more from going on movie dates again, him back on the horse, hitting up the rodeos, outdoor shows etc. While he was still somewhat lucid yesterday we got our vows renewed. Was on the list of things this year to do. So where not how we planned it, we got it done
I will still buy the ring we picked out in January and wear our current ones on a necklace around my neck close to my heart. The officiant we picked out still did her thing on speaker phone. A few friends showed up to surprise me brought stuff to make it happen. So not quiet like we had planned but did happen
Had a rough night last night agitation sat in he tried pulling out his catheter and kept taking off his oxygen as they were bothering him. He managed to pull off the last of his sticky things from ekg and the bandage from where we pulled off the dialysis tubes. He has seen the kids they are here but 2 of them decided they can't stay. Ironically the oldest is one that feels she can't watch anymore and originally she was one that wanted to be here. the youngest decided he would be here to say good byes while he could and our middle decided even if she has to watch to the end she couldn't leave me that she needed me right now as much as he does.
renee
So was the liver resection his best option... w/o surgery they gave maybe 3-6 mos, with surgery up to 2+yrs. From what they have seen they don't understand why this all happened. The tissue around the tumor they removed showed to be good, the ultrasounds showed good blood flow thru the liver. So where Carl can't be a donor as he has listed on his license I am allowing an autopsy when the time comes to not only hopefully give us closure for why things went the way they went but to also hopefully help the next person this may happen to.
This has been an incredibly hard couple years esp past 2 1/2 mos. I wish we could have made more of the time, but really as tired as he was, all the ER visits, hospital stays we did do what we could when he had good days. We were starting to get to a point of being able to do more from going on movie dates again, him back on the horse, hitting up the rodeos, outdoor shows etc. While he was still somewhat lucid yesterday we got our vows renewed. Was on the list of things this year to do. So where not how we planned it, we got it done
I will still buy the ring we picked out in January and wear our current ones on a necklace around my neck close to my heart. The officiant we picked out still did her thing on speaker phone. A few friends showed up to surprise me brought stuff to make it happen. So not quiet like we had planned but did happenHad a rough night last night agitation sat in he tried pulling out his catheter and kept taking off his oxygen as they were bothering him. He managed to pull off the last of his sticky things from ekg and the bandage from where we pulled off the dialysis tubes. He has seen the kids they are here but 2 of them decided they can't stay. Ironically the oldest is one that feels she can't watch anymore and originally she was one that wanted to be here. the youngest decided he would be here to say good byes while he could and our middle decided even if she has to watch to the end she couldn't leave me that she needed me right now as much as he does.
renee
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Comments
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Carl and Renee
Hi Renee
I've been following your story, but my life has had a huge upheaval during that time and I have not been able to respond in the manner I have wanted to.
I'm very sorry for all of this - I know you had high hopes and we all shared those hopes with you. I'm glad your children did come by, that was important to do for alot of reasons. The oldest one taking it hard is just probably because her maturity is allowing her to see what she doesn't want to see - what she doesn't want to let her brain acknowledge.
Sometimes in life, we think if we're not seeing it, then it's not actually happening...this is how we rationalize what is happening before our eyes. Of course, she does see it and understands it to the point that she understand it. But, that is where the conflict is.
Perhaps, in the coming days, she will have a change of heart...she needs to make peace to be at peace, as things can have a lasting effect when they are not addressed. And your other kids wanting to do the right thing and stand with you is a testament to how you and Carl raised them.
That was a great story about your wedding vow renewal - a true love story - it's a story of love and committment to one another and saying "I Do" again and choosing that partner once again is the ultimate show of love and respect. I applaud you both.
I wish I knew of something more comforting to say...I'm sorry I have not had the opportunity to talk with you before today...I've got some life changing events with my dad right now that has taken my time.
But, I wanted to seize the moment and reach out to you today and let you know that I've been reading and keeping up with you...wishing you nothing but peace and serentity in the upcoming days:)
-Craig0 -
Sorry Renee
Very sorry to hear things did not work out as everyone had hoped.
How beautiful you were able to renew your vows...
Thank you for sharing your story, and what a gift to science you are making. Carl will be doing good, even after he crosses over.
God bless you~0 -
Our thoughts and prayers
are with you and your family. May pallative care be of help to you all. Pat0 -
Dear Renee
So very sorry to hear that Carl is failing.
It was a wonderful, beautiful thing that you and he got to renew your vows. Love is a wonderful thing.
I am glad your children were able to exercise their choice.
I pray that Carl will have no pain and will slip peacefully into what comes after.
I pray that you and the children will in time be able to share all the wonderful memories of your life with Carl.
Take care dear Renee. Hugs and love to you all.
Marie who loves kitties0 -
Renee,
I am so sorry for you that things have gotten to this point. I have wanted to write to you since my last post. I think it is wonderful that you have honored your children's wishes but I also was hoping they were really doing what they wanted to do. Sounds like you have been right on in letting them work through the way they are best comfortable handling the end of their dad's earthly life. This hit home with me as my mother died when I was ten. I was not given a choice to see her in her last five days and I often wonder if seeing her would have helped me process her passing more easily. I had certainty that she would be going to heaven so that helped. My mom died in 1968 and people were more hush-hush about it then. However,she was very open about her impending death which to me was distressing at times. I sometimes felt angry with her for talking about it but in hindsight, I think that was a good thing. With hospice and palliative care, things have changed and it seems these services help families prepare for the crossing over of loved ones, this difficult process of life for those left behind.
It sounds like you have had and are having precious moments with your husband. I pray for his peaceful passing and for your well-being as you go through this difficult time. Lights and prayers to you and your children. Laura0 -
Hi Renee,
I have looked for
Hi Renee,
I have looked for your posts, read your words, prayed and prayed some more, shed a few tears and today smiled a bit when I read you made the wedding vows renewal happen.
I have stayed off the board for a number of reasons, but feel as though I need to hold you, Carl and your kids, family and friends in my thoughts and continued prayers for understanding and peace in the journey you are on.
My cancer dx was almost 4 years ago, I have been NED for 4 years. I didn't have any spread of cancer, dx a 3B. At the time of dx, looking at my own children, and my brand new grandchild, I knew I would take any and all chances for TIME. I knew in my heart I would do whatever it took. I turned my cancer over to a fabulous Mayo surgeon and the best oncologist in the world. I left no stones unturned. I needed to know in my heart and soul that I had done EVERYTHING I could. It was as though I could accept the path I was on if I absolutely knew everything possible was being done.
I hear in your words second guessing the decision for the liver resection- but I also hear you pressed forward, both you and Carl did, to find the answers, leaving no stone unturned to get him more time. I am so sorry it didn't work.
It pains me, all of us here, to hear what you and your kids are going through. I hope in time that only happy memories flood your life....Renee, you did everything, Carl did everything. Everything was done. You left no stone unturned. 0 -
I've been following your story. I'm so sorry. I was hoping things would settle down and start an upward swing. You have done everything you possibly could to help Carl so please, don't ever second guess yourself and decisions that were made.
Hugs to you and your family - Tina0 -
This is just heart breaking
This is just heart breaking Renee. I so wish it had all gone better and it had given you both some extra time together. I am so sorry for you and your families struggles and I wish he was hitting up the rodeos. God bless you Renee, I so wish this was better days for you.
Brenda0 -
Renee, you are amazing how you have handled all of this. You have nothing to ever second-guess. Thank you for keeping us in the loop.toyfox said:So Sorry
So sorry you and your family are going through
this. Was so hoping and praying this would have
a different outcome.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda
How beautiful for you and Carl to renew your vows. Will continue to pray for comfort and peace for you and Carl and your children.0 -
Oh, dear, this news really
Oh, dear, this news really tugs at my heart strings. I'm so very sorry that things are not going in the right direction for Carl. You both did everything possible to obtain a better outcome, so you should have no regrets.
May you future be filled with loving memories of the special times that you've spent together.
All my best,
Cynthia0 -
very sorry
Hard to put into words how sorry I feel for your family. God bless you. chuck0 -
bless everyone
So sorry Carl hasn't gotten better I pray for him and everyone in your family. This is such a cruel disease and for some unknown reason takes great people way to quick. I'm so happy you were able to renew your wedding vows. That is such s great idea. I wish we all could be there in person to give Carl and you huge hugs and support. I'm praying hard tonight. Jeff0
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