Steve continues to improve...

nancyann3
nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
in Esophageal Cancer #1
We are almost at the two week mark. All tubes are out except our good friend Mr. jtube. He will stay with us awhile longer. He is moving around easier now. Our biggest hurdle seems to be more mental then anything. I'm sure all of you, that had the surgery, can relate to that. We arent sure about discharge yet, and still no path reports, but they will come soon.

We are following Pauls advice and taking baby steps. That is what I tell Steve. After almost two weeks I am finally coming home at nights and spending my days at the hosp with him. Thank you all for your prayers.

Nancy

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • linda1120
    linda1120 Member Posts: 389
    #3
    Wonderful News!
    Nancy, I am so glad to hear this. Jim and I are about six weeks ahead of you. Jim is still on the j-tube and not willing to give it up. I keep putting real food in front of him and he is realizing he can eat it just fine! I completely understand the mental hurdle; I think this has been Jim's biggest challenge. He isn't used to dealing with illness and as William said, the adjustment to being a survivor and expecting to be fine right away is difficult. Today the oncologist put Jim on a anti-depressant and the only way Jim went on it is because it also stimulates the appetite. I am also a survivor and I remember when I was told you are cancer-free; I said to my mother "What do I do now?" I was so used to going to doctor app'ts, chemotherapy, support group meetings, etc, I felt lost. I see Jim dealing with these same issues and it can be hard. I did art therapy to get all of my emotions out and it was very helpful. I don't see my husband doing this! :-) I don't know about you other men, but my man has shown his emotions more in the last few months and I love it! He thinks men shouldn't do this! I guess it is a male thing??? Cancer isn't an easy thing, it truly stirs every emotion inside of you. It goes to our very core. I say "Get those emotions out, scream, cry, laugh, talk, do whatever it takes to get through it." Thanks for listening, and Nancy, being the spouse of a esophageal cancer survivor isn't for the weak! It is wonderful, but it isn't easy. We were all warned of the roller coaster ride from Hell, and this is part of it. It is a journey I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Guess I just needed to vent and when I saw Nancy mention the word mental, my fingers wouldn't stop typing.

    I pray your pathology reports are clear.

    Linda
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #4
    Congrats!
    Dear Nancy and Steve
    So happy to hear your continued success in recovery! Such great news! Mr Jtube is a good man to have in your corner. He will take care of you much needed nutritional needs. The mental issue is common for all who have had any major surgery. My mom just went through bypass surgery in December. She suffered with some mild depression for about a week after. This will pass. If not, reach out for help from a counselor. So happy you can go home to sleep Nancy. Welcome home! Stay in touch. We are thinking and praying for all of you!
    Tina in Va
  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #5
    Thanks for the update!!!
    Nancy,

    Thanks for the update!! It is great to hear that Steve is doing well. The first couple of weeks at home will be a learning time for both of you as you work your way through using the J-tube for feeding and learning what works for Steve’s new digestive system. But it will work out as time goes by.

    Be sure to ask for help when you need it. Your friends and family want to help but you have to tell them where they can.

    Everyone always remembers to ask how the patient is doing but we frequently forget to ask how the caregiver is doing. I am sure this has been a stressful time for you and you need a break once in a while as well.

    I will be praying that Steve’s pathology reports come back clear and you are home soon.


    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
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #6
    paul61 said:

    Thanks for the update!!!
    Nancy,

    Thanks for the update!! It is great to hear that Steve is doing well. The first couple of weeks at home will be a learning time for both of you as you work your way through using the J-tube for feeding and learning what works for Steve’s new digestive system. But it will work out as time goes by.

    Be sure to ask for help when you need it. Your friends and family want to help but you have to tell them where they can.

    Everyone always remembers to ask how the patient is doing but we frequently forget to ask how the caregiver is doing. I am sure this has been a stressful time for you and you need a break once in a while as well.

    I will be praying that Steve’s pathology reports come back clear and you are home soon.


    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

    glad to hear
    Hi Nancy,
    So glad to hear that Steve is progressing. I am sure he will be discharged soon. As you said baby steps are the way. My mantra was take one step and then the next step and just do what they tell me. I hope Steve gets a visiting nurse. I had one for several weeks after I came home and it meant very much to me. As Paul is saying don't be bashful about accepting help from your family and friends. My sister came over and cleaned the bathrooms when I came home. My kids came over and cleaned the house during chemo people want to help. If they ask can they cook for you let them. It is not only for the patient but helps the caregiver. My husband had problems the first day I came home. He would get upset with me for standing and trying to do stuff but we talked about it later and it was pure fear. So expect that you might feel overwhelmed at first. Being a woman, it was easier for me to fix my meds etc, but Ron was invaluable and set up my j tube feedings every night. You will do fine once you get into the rhythm. Steve will be given minute instructions on what to eat and how much. I am sure he has already discussed this with the dietician. It is wonderful to hear that all tubes are out except for the j tube and he is walking around. So good luck, prayers will follow you on your path and Steve's on this bumpy road called survival. take care,
    Donna70
  • nancyann3
    nancyann3 Member Posts: 173 Member
    #7
    Donna70 said:

    glad to hear
    Hi Nancy,
    So glad to hear that Steve is progressing. I am sure he will be discharged soon. As you said baby steps are the way. My mantra was take one step and then the next step and just do what they tell me. I hope Steve gets a visiting nurse. I had one for several weeks after I came home and it meant very much to me. As Paul is saying don't be bashful about accepting help from your family and friends. My sister came over and cleaned the bathrooms when I came home. My kids came over and cleaned the house during chemo people want to help. If they ask can they cook for you let them. It is not only for the patient but helps the caregiver. My husband had problems the first day I came home. He would get upset with me for standing and trying to do stuff but we talked about it later and it was pure fear. So expect that you might feel overwhelmed at first. Being a woman, it was easier for me to fix my meds etc, but Ron was invaluable and set up my j tube feedings every night. You will do fine once you get into the rhythm. Steve will be given minute instructions on what to eat and how much. I am sure he has already discussed this with the dietician. It is wonderful to hear that all tubes are out except for the j tube and he is walking around. So good luck, prayers will follow you on your path and Steve's on this bumpy road called survival. take care,
    Donna70

    thank you all
    Thanks so much for all your imput. You dont know how much it helps me, so i can help him. We are lucky in the fact that we have already been using the jtube for a few months now, so we are set up for that. I think I can count calories in my sleep.......lol. Unfortunatly we wont have home health nurses, due to insurance. I am just very greatful for my medical background, because its all up to me. Nurse, cargiver, rehab......thats me....lol......I am looking forward to the day when I can be just plain wife again. I thank all of you,because it's all of you that helps me and with no family close, that means alot.

    Take care
    Nancy

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