New here and newly diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV with adenocarcinoma and mets

KLScoville said:

Thank you
sorry that I didn't write more last night, had to pay bills. Mark (hubby) is the financial person in our household (that I don't mind one bit) but now I have to take over and make sure we don't lose anything like electric, phone, insurance etc. So I am basically playing accountant lately.

Mark is only receiving palliative radiation treatment. Does not want chemo. Is on two morphines. Hydromophone for quick relief and ER morphine for the tumor that is pressing against his spine (in his abdomen). That one is unfortunately inoperable and he has one in his glands in his neck by the jugguler vein that is getting radiation also (also inoperable). The rad oncologist is trying to get his pain under control because he stated on Tuesday that "I've seen your ct scan, PET scan and x-rays and you are in some serious pain" Obviously it has metatisized throughout his lymphonic (sp?) system as the oncologist told us. Mark was worried that he would get more pain meds because of the addicts and drug dealers but his worries were satisfied when the doctor perscribed him more pain meds and told him that statement on tuesday.

We have good days (few-very few) and bad days. The good days consist of him actually sitting up on the couch. Bad days...well that is self explanitory from seeing the good days. Unfortunately he has an exposed tumor also in his mouth from an extracted tooth that never healed and it also has radiated a very bad odor that is all over his body. He has that "sick man smell" and has had it for a while. Not a pleasant aroma but I have always told him, I don't care what you smell like, I love you with all my heart and I am going to do the best I can to help you be as comfortable as possible. I use to work as a HHA and with hospice as a nurses aid so you can say I have been there but not with anyone this close to me. At times it does get to me but not too often because like you all said. I have to stay strong.

Thanks for listening again. I have to get work done to wrap up the week. (yes I am still trying to work full-time, 50 hours a week) Kelly

KLScoville said:

Saturday
Thanks Diane,

I hope tomorrow is a good day too, today isn't such a good day. Poor Mark has been constipated for the past 4 days. Got him what the doc office suggested and he took it. Help a bit but he hasn't had a bite to eat at all today. Which wouldn't worry me so much if he wasn't a diabetic but he is. Hasn't taken any of his insulin at all today. He stated he was too "backed up" to even try to eat. Living off of the pain pills today which aren't helping until he finally had a small bm.

Gonna call the doc on Monday at let him know what's up with having still no pain relief. I hate to see him be in such awful pain.

I do have friends but Mark is a very private person. I also have my daughter who helps me when I ask, which isn't too often. Mark has a brother in Ohio and he came down a couple of weekends ago and is planning another trip in April with his wife. Also our poker buddies are all ready "on-call" when need be. My mom is in upstate ny and plans on coming down but she better not come alone driving being she is 77 and just had heart surgery in 2008. But like I said Mark is a private and stubborn person. I always "run" people by him before they come over to visit so he can have a say if they come or not. It is all his decision.

Thanks for listening! Kelly

KLScoville said:

GOD
You are right! I do trust in God and I know that is what is keeping me strong.

Thanks ~Kelly