Still in hospital-possible bowel perforation

betsi7
betsi7 Member Posts: 20
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Ed was going to be discharged today however they came in to tell us that they were concerned about a possible bowel perforation. He has increased air in his stomach compared to yesterday. A swallow test looked okay. Every day this seems to become more unmanageable. Dr. Gibson, the oncologist Dr. Luketich sent over was the only bright spot in the entire ordeal thus far. Hopefully the pathology reports will be back soon but those really don't change the reality that Ed is now Stage IV. Our three youngest children's first day of school is this week and I am going home (hopefully) for their first day. Ed's sister is flying in from Minn. to stay with him. Can't even begin to plan beyond a week. I guess I'm writing because I feel alone and mystified at Family House. Betsy

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  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #2
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  • Lynn_Paul
    Lynn_Paul Member Posts: 22 Member
    #3
    Betsy
    After my husband's
    Betsy
    After my husband's second surgery was unsuccessful, Dr. L. referred us to Dr. Gibson. I found him to be very smart and caring, but very hesitant to give bad news. He prefers to be optimistic. He doesn't like statistics or guessing how long someone has and insists anything is possible. Tell him you want the truth, so you can plan accordingly. There is a pain management doctor at Hillman - Dr. King who is VERY good, and very honest. I live in Pittsburgh. Let me know if you need anything.
    Lynn
  • betsi7
    betsi7 Member Posts: 20
    #4
    Lynn_Paul said:

    Betsy
    After my husband's
    Betsy
    After my husband's second surgery was unsuccessful, Dr. L. referred us to Dr. Gibson. I found him to be very smart and caring, but very hesitant to give bad news. He prefers to be optimistic. He doesn't like statistics or guessing how long someone has and insists anything is possible. Tell him you want the truth, so you can plan accordingly. There is a pain management doctor at Hillman - Dr. King who is VERY good, and very honest. I live in Pittsburgh. Let me know if you need anything.
    Lynn

    Thank you for info and support
    When we met with Dr. Gibson Friday, we told him we wanted to be very honest and realistic. I let him know that the bulk of my career was as a hospice social worker and we are able to deal with reality (given my recent posts, that may not sound true!). Just had a "verbal exchange" with a cab driver who tried to charge Ed three times the fare as he was discharged from Presby and came to Family House a few hours ago. He asked me if I really was thinking about giving him a hard time and I said no, I was beyond thinking and already on to giving him a hard time. He said, "You're husband's an idiot, why should I know where Shadyside hospital is if he doesn't." I mentioned that not only was it his job, but there was a visible GPS in his cab adding that every cabbie in Pittsburgh knows where Shadyside Hospital is. You can well imagine the rest of our discourse which included calling his boss and paying the correct and greatly reduced fare. For some reason, it's pulled me out of helpless confusion and I'm ready to face it all again. I will ask for a consult to Dr. King. Betsy

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