The Song Remains the Same -- Update

Doc_Hawk
Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
edited September 2012 in Colorectal Cancer #1
When I was admitted on Tuesday, they did some chest x-rays. Some more were taken yesterday and there's no change in the pneumonia or the blood clots. You'd think after that many days of heavy antibiotics and blood thinner that there'd be something. We still haven't got the results from the Bronchoscopy they did one Wednesday so my guess is that they have to culture and grow them for a few days.

Sleep is pretty much catch it when you can and not just because of the staff. Sometimes I can barely stay awake, others I just can't sleep thanks to some not very good thoughts. Eating, one of my favorite activities, is an arduous task thanks to no appetite. All I could manage this morning was yogurt and boost and it was hard enough forcing that down. Don't know what to do about lunch and dinner. I'm only bothering because I know that I have to eat to get better.

Having Lulu here with me is beneficial not only for my spirit but my body as well. Taking her out for walks helps the blood flow and helps increase my wind. Of course by time I get back I'm huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf!

Thank you all so very much for the prayers, thoughts and kind words. Reading them really elevates my mood and puts a smile on my face such that the nurses wonder what I'm up to. I'll keep you informed.

Ray/Doc
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Comments

  • Cathleen Mary
    Cathleen Mary Member Posts: 827 Member
    #2
    Doc, So sorry that you are

    Doc, So sorry that you are having such a time of it! Pneumonia is insidious and can really deplete energy. I bet everyone is enjoying Lulu...how wonderful that you can have her with you.
    Know that prayers and good thoughts will keep going your way. We've got your back. Thanks for posting and keeping us updated even when you feel so miserable.

    Hugs,
    Cathleen Mary
  • JayhawkDan
    JayhawkDan Member Posts: 205
    #3
    Hang in there, Doc
    and get out of the hospital asap. Good vibes coming your way. Dan
  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    #4
    JayhawkDan said:

    Hang in there, Doc
    and get out of the hospital asap. Good vibes coming your way. Dan

    Doc
    So sorry it it taking you so long to kick this. I was going to reply yesterday morning, but this forum is soooo slow at times. I had been up all night when reading your post and saw you mention having beer at home waiting for you. For some reason, my brain processed that as having "bear" at home and I thought, "I didn't know Doc had a pet bear". But then as I read on about one of your lady friends and bad moods, maybe my interpretation wasn't so far off. LOL

    Hoping brighter days will soon be here for you. Give Lulu a big hug from me. She is a special little lady.

    Luv,

    Wolfen
  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #5
    wolfen said:

    Doc
    So sorry it it taking you so long to kick this. I was going to reply yesterday morning, but this forum is soooo slow at times. I had been up all night when reading your post and saw you mention having beer at home waiting for you. For some reason, my brain processed that as having "bear" at home and I thought, "I didn't know Doc had a pet bear". But then as I read on about one of your lady friends and bad moods, maybe my interpretation wasn't so far off. LOL

    Hoping brighter days will soon be here for you. Give Lulu a big hug from me. She is a special little lady.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

    Awwww buddy, I have not had
    Awwww buddy, I have not had pneumonia, but I did have two large blood clots in both my lungs. Having pneumonia on top of blood clots I cannot begin to imagine. But, with the blood clots I was sooooo winded, walking up stairs was so tough. I feel for you. Blood clots take many many months to resolve (ask the nurses or docs...they'll tell you) Don't expect blood clots in your lungs to resolve in a week or two.....they didn't want to do surgery on me for several months, till the clots resolved, p.s. my colon was completely blocked at the time, and they were talking months down the road for colon resection!! Hang tough....it's gonna take a while.
  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #6
    It's awesome that they let you have Lulu with you...
    one of the hardest things about being in the hospital for me was leaving my dog and cats behind. Oh, and my kids, of course. Can't forget about them. :) Have they talked about giving you TPN for a while? I was on that for about a week during one hospital stay, when I just couldn't get enough solid food down. It's a rather disgusting fluorescent yellow, but it did the trick. Didn't even lose any weight, even though I was in there for two weeks (darn it). Hugs to you and your little dog too (NOT said with a witch-like cackle). Ann Alexandria
    PS If you like history, have you read Devil in the White City, Lost in Shangri-la, or 1776? All very good reads.
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #7
    Great hearing from you
    This crazy chemo brain drives me even more crazy...I couldn't remember who lulu was. Its good your up every so often. Pray you get well fast. Jeff
  • Luckygirl2
    Luckygirl2 Member Posts: 308
    #8
    Feel better soon
    Thinking of you and wishing you well!
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #9
    Oh, dear
    Praying you get better soon!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • SharonVegas
    SharonVegas Member Posts: 189
    #10
    Thanks for the update Doc.
    Thanks for the update Doc. I've been thinking about you since Marie who loves kitties starting updating us. Hope you get better soon and I'm glad you have Lulu with you!
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #11
    Get Better Ray!
    We are
    Get Better Ray!

    We are sending thoughts and prayers your way! Eating is to much enjoyment not to do. lol

    Best Always, mike
  • glinka65
    glinka65 Member Posts: 132
    #12
    yo
    hang in buddy!!!! your in my thoughts everyday!!!!
  • k44454445
    k44454445 Member Posts: 494
    #13
    doc
    sorry to hear you are still having problems. it is wonderful that your dog is with you. i am sure she is glad too! sending lots of prayers your way!
    hugs
    judy
  • Maxiecat
    Maxiecat Member Posts: 544 Member
    #14
    Get better soon! Hopefully
    Get better soon! Hopefully you can find something appetizing for lunch and dinner. One night in the hospital i just had mashed potatoes and corn for dinner. Bland food with no after taste seemed to work best for me. I hope you can get some rest today.

    Alex
  • tommycat
    tommycat Member Posts: 790 Member
    #15
    chiming in
    Sending well wishes from California and hope you can go home---well!---soon.
    Tommycat
  • dmj101
    dmj101 Member Posts: 527 Member
    #16
    Take if easy buddy.. we
    Take if easy buddy.. we don't get sick overnight.. so no reason to assume we can get better overnight.. relax and enjoy what ever pampering they are ofering you there.
    Your appetite will get better.. antibiotics definitely kill it.. opt for easy stuff if they give you the choice.. yogurt, juices, eggs, chicken and carrots, potato's.. don't expect too much.. and you will be fine.
    Feel better soon..
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    #17
    annalexandria said:

    It's awesome that they let you have Lulu with you...
    one of the hardest things about being in the hospital for me was leaving my dog and cats behind. Oh, and my kids, of course. Can't forget about them. :) Have they talked about giving you TPN for a while? I was on that for about a week during one hospital stay, when I just couldn't get enough solid food down. It's a rather disgusting fluorescent yellow, but it did the trick. Didn't even lose any weight, even though I was in there for two weeks (darn it). Hugs to you and your little dog too (NOT said with a witch-like cackle). Ann Alexandria
    PS If you like history, have you read Devil in the White City, Lost in Shangri-la, or 1776? All very good reads.

    TPN?
    Hey Ann, no I don't think I've ever heard of TPN, what is it? I can eat, it's just that I have to force it down. Even then, the best I can manage is half of what's on the plate.

    Lu is definitely the darling of the floor. Even as shy as she is, she still manages to charm the staff, man and woman alike. If she wasn't so shy, I'd offer to take her around to visit other patients.

    I haven't read the first two books you mentioned, but I have read 1776. My primary focus in History as been the American Civil War and my secondary is East Asian Studies. I'm fascinated by the Japanese and Chinese cultures. I'm currently reading The Pillow Book, a Japanese book that was written in the late 10th early 11th century which pre-dates Chaucer and is a possible contemporary of "Beowulf".
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    #18
    k44454445 said:

    doc
    sorry to hear you are still having problems. it is wonderful that your dog is with you. i am sure she is glad too! sending lots of prayers your way!
    hugs
    judy

    fur kid
    I know that she's happy to be with her daddy, but I think she needs a break and get to go home for a couple of hours. She'll stand in front of the closed door and look at me as if to say "can we blow this popsicle stand already?"
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    #19
    Maxiecat said:

    Get better soon! Hopefully
    Get better soon! Hopefully you can find something appetizing for lunch and dinner. One night in the hospital i just had mashed potatoes and corn for dinner. Bland food with no after taste seemed to work best for me. I hope you can get some rest today.

    Alex

    food
    Yogurt, pudding and cereal are okay, don't have much trouble with them. It's more substantial meals that I just can't get through.
  • Doc_Hawk
    Doc_Hawk Member Posts: 685
    #20
    Update
    Well, I did a bit better on Sunday. The lung doc came in and reported that the x-rays yesterday showed improvement. He ordered a dose of Lasix, which of course turned me into the proverbial race horse! (Actually filled a 32 oz urinal in one try.)

    I had a lot of visitors today but still managed to get up and sit by the window to read for a little bit. That was very relaxing and I'm going to have to try to get an hour a day doing so.

    Later, in the early evening, my fever began to spike again, hitting a high of 101.7 F (38.7 C) and the coughing just wouldn't stop. The nurses were really busting their butts to get it under control and it finally did. The congestion is getting a little better and I'm currently on 5 liters of oxygen all of the time. I think in a little bit, I'm going to have one of the nurses walk with me and monitor my O2 level with and without the air tank. Funny thing is I've said for years I love to suck air out of a can, but I meant while under water!

    That's about it for now. I have to wait until Tuesday when my onc comes in to see if I'm getting chemo this week. The floor I'm on is their Oncology Ward, so I can get it here.

    Hugs to all and thank you very much for the prayers and thoughts.

    Hugs,

    Ray/Doc
  • Sonia32
    Sonia32 Member Posts: 1,071 Member
    #21
    Hugs
    Sending good vibes/prayers your way.

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