he's so sick of it all

Skiffin16 said:

Everyone is Different
MaryBeth, use these (our) experience and knowledge as just that "our" experiences and knowledge. But realize that everyone is different, just because some have had rougher roads than others doesn't mean that your husband will. Be prepared for the worse, but hope and pray for the best.

You and your husband will fall somewehre in between. I seemed to have had it easier than a lot of folks here, but that doesn't mean that it was easy for me. Everyone that goes through this has it rough. It's something that we have never gone through before (or at least most of us, unfortunately some have gone through it before)....

I'm sure you guys will manage and adapt, there's definitely a learning curve. Hang in there, be supportive, and fill yourselves with our experience and knowledge.

He will make it through this as will you. What choice do you have, it's much better than the alternative. If anything that I can offer you and him, is that relief, pain, salivary functions, taste, swelling, fatigue, etc. don't improve on a daily time frame, it's more likely going to be in weeks and months. Nothing that is severe, it just kind of lingers, you'll notice changes, but they are very gradual....

God Luck, and God Bless,
John

Excellant post
BINGO....and well said. Sometimes changes are so gradual, you don't even realize they are gone until one day they just disappear, and the "wow factor" appears. Example: I'm 10 months from last chemo/radiation, and this morning while reading the newspaper at my desk, I put my tongue to my thumb to turn the page......a habit I've been doing for many years.....and my thumb was damp and the page turned. I had had no liquid in my mouth for at least an hour and a half. I go to myself, "Well heck....I now have SOME saliva. How bout them apples." Been now noticing the wetness in my mouth all day just coming and going. This developmental progress is SOOOOOOOO SLOW, but like you say, John, the learning curve is there and the personal adaptations can either be taken as frustrating or entertaining. I kinda get a kick out of watching my body get into a better physical shape/condition then it was prior and during that awful treatment. None of it was easy, and the work continues.

thegirlfriend said:

Hi Marybeth!
so many survivors here. Literally, SURVIVORS. So many huh?
So many to tell us what our loved ones might feel in all facets of the big C.

Yeah I know, it bites to sit and watch your loved one become so miserable
physically and mentally. What I hate the most, is not being able to come up
with something positive to say, I feel like Ive used up everything that is
helpful or inspiring or believable.

But u get thru yet another day, one at a time. Its doable. slow but doable.

Kathy

CHURCHILL
Mary Beth you have reminded me of a few Winston Churchill quotes;

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

When you feel that you have gone through the worst and yet another obstacle rears it's ugly head. Read some of the postings and followings of the member on here "ChefDaddy". This poor guy has had more obstacles and set-backs than anyone that I know and he keeps on going with a great attitude, humor and will power. He is truly an inspiration to me and I hope and pray that something positive will come his way soon.

Good Luck and God Bless, wishing the best for you and yours as well....

John

Skiffin16 said:

CHURCHILL
Mary Beth you have reminded me of a few Winston Churchill quotes;

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

When you feel that you have gone through the worst and yet another obstacle rears it's ugly head. Read some of the postings and followings of the member on here "ChefDaddy". This poor guy has had more obstacles and set-backs than anyone that I know and he keeps on going with a great attitude, humor and will power. He is truly an inspiration to me and I hope and pray that something positive will come his way soon.

Good Luck and God Bless, wishing the best for you and yours as well....

John

Wow...that does say it all. It has been quite the week. Doug has been in the hospital since 4/14. Just when you think nothing worse can happen, it has. Just when you think you can't possibly take anymore bad news- you do. I am happy to say that after a blood transfusion, shots for his white blood cells to come back up- fluids for the kidneys to start functioning better, TPN for nutrition and tons of other meds and anti-nausea medicines....he is looking and doing better.

After an episode of blood clots- throwing up blood- he is getting an endoscopy tomorrow and hopefully will be able to be weaned back to the tube feedings and come home!! It has been hell I will say that for sure. We stopped radiation and will get evaluated this Wednesday to see if we need to take another week off. Oh my...it is exhausting!

Thank all of you for your continued support, prayers and words of wisdom. This has been a great source for me and hopefully soon it will be for my husband also once he is well enough to participate.

Thanks again,
Marybeth

Skiffin16 said:

Never Give Up
Marybeth,

Not sure if you are a fishing fan, but I am.... One guy Mike Iaconelli, is kind of crazy, but one think he preaches constantly is, "Never Give Up"...

I have seen him almost be out of the mix in a tournament with minutes left...he throws a cast, nothing, another, nothing, with seconds left he throws another...WHAM, he lands a big Bass that puts him in the lead or high up on the board.....

Never Give Up...!!

Good to hear from you Marybeth, keep on pushing through Hell, and Never Give Up.

John

Yes
Do hope things get better for Doug, soon, Marybeth. His road's looking to be rougher than mine was. Will be thinking of you two, and Praying for you.

Believe

kcass

Mb731 said:

I haven't been fishing since I was a kid but I guess you could say I am only into it when I am catching something! Guess that doesn't make me a true fisherman.

Hopefully tomorrow will shed some light at to when Doug can come home. I am hoping for this week.

thanks all :-)

Marybeth

Marybeth, that does sound
Marybeth, that does sound very exausting. Keep up the good work you are doing. And I hope very much that your husband gets better soon:)

Cindy