New infection

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eibod
eibod Member Posts: 160
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hubby is still in the hospital. They now think he has VRE. As long as he has infection he can't get his port put back in,or get chemo. I hate to see him so sick, and am scared for the chemo to be held up, not knowing "what" the cancer is doing or if it might be spreading while we wait. It is hard to be strong. He is so scared of the VRE, knowing how it affected him when he had it in January. I am with him everyday, but come home at night to an empty house. It is so strange at home without him. Praying he will get well enough to come home soon....All of you guys are so strong, how do you do it? This has been the longest 2 years of my life. Thanks for listening, Brenda

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  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #2
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    Hoping for the best
    I'm hoping and praying everything gets better real soon. This cancer stuff is such and up and down roller coaster.
    Jeff
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #3
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    just do your best and rest
    your husband will be home soon i pray.
    until then look after yourself and keep up your vists.
    your home maybe empty but we are always here.
    hugs,
    pete
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #4
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    I am not sure what VRE is
    I am not sure what VRE is but... I pray that God renews your strength and gives you the peace and stamina to keep up the great support. God bless you both.
    Brenda
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #5
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    Like Sands Through the Hour Glass....
    ....so become the days of our lives.

    I know how the patient does it, Brenda. We do what we gotta do - for as long as we gotta do it.

    I really can't answer from the caregiving side - my wife might have an idea though - she tells me it's been the longest 7.4 years out of her life.

    I know as patients we mark our success by the days and years on the calendar by the longevity that we hang up in the trophy case. But, for the caregiver?

    I honestly don't know how my wife has done it, to be honest with you. She just soldiers on in that role, just like I have in mine. But her role, probably does deserve some recognition. There are not too many 7+ years caregivers on this board.

    She's been through alot and in reading your post, it reminds me of some of her feelings that she did tell me about. The house being alone - many nights at the hospital - having to keep everything afloat - and still holding down a career too.

    Amazing! Unbelievable even!

    I guess the only thing I could say, is that as people, we all see these things that we think and believe we will never be able to accomplish. As the years click by, you find that you did them out of attrition - after all, what other choice do any of us have?

    We either do - or don't. And somewhere in between there, the real answer awaits all of us. I've found that we're all capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for.

    I know 2 years is a very long time, but just look to my wife as an example and inspiration as to what the caregiver has in them. While I don't want you to have to be concerned with cancer for the 7 some odd years that we have been fighting.....maybe it will be a small degree of comfort to know that Sundance's wife (KIM) has done it all of these years and we know that you have what it takes to persevere as well.

    I don't give my wife nearly enough credit. She is one that should be looked to because she is on a very short list of caregivers that I know who have been caregiving for that long a time. She's a true inspiration and a great example of caregiving leadership in the cancer world.

    I hope you can get him home with you soon. While it's good that he's at the hospital with care available in the event of an emergency, I know you would rest and feel better knowing he was there.

    Keeping you both in my thoughts and I'll tell Kim about your story.

    -Craig
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #6
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    Sundanceh said:

    Like Sands Through the Hour Glass....
    ....so become the days of our lives.

    I know how the patient does it, Brenda. We do what we gotta do - for as long as we gotta do it.

    I really can't answer from the caregiving side - my wife might have an idea though - she tells me it's been the longest 7.4 years out of her life.

    I know as patients we mark our success by the days and years on the calendar by the longevity that we hang up in the trophy case. But, for the caregiver?

    I honestly don't know how my wife has done it, to be honest with you. She just soldiers on in that role, just like I have in mine. But her role, probably does deserve some recognition. There are not too many 7+ years caregivers on this board.

    She's been through alot and in reading your post, it reminds me of some of her feelings that she did tell me about. The house being alone - many nights at the hospital - having to keep everything afloat - and still holding down a career too.

    Amazing! Unbelievable even!

    I guess the only thing I could say, is that as people, we all see these things that we think and believe we will never be able to accomplish. As the years click by, you find that you did them out of attrition - after all, what other choice do any of us have?

    We either do - or don't. And somewhere in between there, the real answer awaits all of us. I've found that we're all capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for.

    I know 2 years is a very long time, but just look to my wife as an example and inspiration as to what the caregiver has in them. While I don't want you to have to be concerned with cancer for the 7 some odd years that we have been fighting.....maybe it will be a small degree of comfort to know that Sundance's wife (KIM) has done it all of these years and we know that you have what it takes to persevere as well.

    I don't give my wife nearly enough credit. She is one that should be looked to because she is on a very short list of caregivers that I know who have been caregiving for that long a time. She's a true inspiration and a great example of caregiving leadership in the cancer world.

    I hope you can get him home with you soon. While it's good that he's at the hospital with care available in the event of an emergency, I know you would rest and feel better knowing he was there.

    Keeping you both in my thoughts and I'll tell Kim about your story.

    -Craig

    Brenda sending you good vibes and prayers
    for a fas recovery ! Hugs, and take care of you as well!
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    #7
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    Sundanceh said:

    Like Sands Through the Hour Glass....
    ....so become the days of our lives.

    I know how the patient does it, Brenda. We do what we gotta do - for as long as we gotta do it.

    I really can't answer from the caregiving side - my wife might have an idea though - she tells me it's been the longest 7.4 years out of her life.

    I know as patients we mark our success by the days and years on the calendar by the longevity that we hang up in the trophy case. But, for the caregiver?

    I honestly don't know how my wife has done it, to be honest with you. She just soldiers on in that role, just like I have in mine. But her role, probably does deserve some recognition. There are not too many 7+ years caregivers on this board.

    She's been through alot and in reading your post, it reminds me of some of her feelings that she did tell me about. The house being alone - many nights at the hospital - having to keep everything afloat - and still holding down a career too.

    Amazing! Unbelievable even!

    I guess the only thing I could say, is that as people, we all see these things that we think and believe we will never be able to accomplish. As the years click by, you find that you did them out of attrition - after all, what other choice do any of us have?

    We either do - or don't. And somewhere in between there, the real answer awaits all of us. I've found that we're all capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for.

    I know 2 years is a very long time, but just look to my wife as an example and inspiration as to what the caregiver has in them. While I don't want you to have to be concerned with cancer for the 7 some odd years that we have been fighting.....maybe it will be a small degree of comfort to know that Sundance's wife (KIM) has done it all of these years and we know that you have what it takes to persevere as well.

    I don't give my wife nearly enough credit. She is one that should be looked to because she is on a very short list of caregivers that I know who have been caregiving for that long a time. She's a true inspiration and a great example of caregiving leadership in the cancer world.

    I hope you can get him home with you soon. While it's good that he's at the hospital with care available in the event of an emergency, I know you would rest and feel better knowing he was there.

    Keeping you both in my thoughts and I'll tell Kim about your story.

    -Craig

    Thanks everyone for your
    Thanks everyone for your kind words and prayers. I have tried to respond to this several times but couldn't get it to post. Hopefully, I wont find that I have double posted.
    Brought John home today. He has been in the hospital for 24 days. They always send him home so weak, than I get scared that I won't be able to take care of him. "Want him home but don't know what to do with him?" Last year when he had VRE(something like mercer?)he was there for 6 weeks, so I was glad when the tests came back as a treatable infection. As soon as it clears up, he will start chemo again.
    Craig, really appreciated your thoughts. Have you any more chapters on caregiving? I think your wife has been great to be so supportive for 7 years. That seems like a lifetime. You seem like a very compassionate and caring person, so I would assume that you two are a lot alike. Will print the thoughts " we either do or don't, what choice do we have". I know this but apparently forget it too often. Next time I feel like running away, I will remind myself. I must have seemed like it at the hospital, the nurse asked me if I needed a sedative. Am ashamed that they could tell I was so nervous about everything. Afterall, I should be an old pro at this!!!!! Thanks again, Brenda
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #8
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    eibod said:

    Thanks everyone for your
    Thanks everyone for your kind words and prayers. I have tried to respond to this several times but couldn't get it to post. Hopefully, I wont find that I have double posted.
    Brought John home today. He has been in the hospital for 24 days. They always send him home so weak, than I get scared that I won't be able to take care of him. "Want him home but don't know what to do with him?" Last year when he had VRE(something like mercer?)he was there for 6 weeks, so I was glad when the tests came back as a treatable infection. As soon as it clears up, he will start chemo again.
    Craig, really appreciated your thoughts. Have you any more chapters on caregiving? I think your wife has been great to be so supportive for 7 years. That seems like a lifetime. You seem like a very compassionate and caring person, so I would assume that you two are a lot alike. Will print the thoughts " we either do or don't, what choice do we have". I know this but apparently forget it too often. Next time I feel like running away, I will remind myself. I must have seemed like it at the hospital, the nurse asked me if I needed a sedative. Am ashamed that they could tell I was so nervous about everything. Afterall, I should be an old pro at this!!!!! Thanks again, Brenda

    Home
    I know it is scary to bring them home when they are weak but home feels the best. Recovery was always sped way up when I was home and it seems to be the same for my husband. Now he is in a bed big enough for you to lay next to him. That is always the thing that feels so good when we get home from a surgery or what ever. I love to be able to lay my head close to his and talk quietly to each other, it just feels good.
    Please don't feel ashamed of your self for feeling nervous or anxious, I feel the same way when we are in a hospital. It's hard to be there watching the one you love be sick, not be able to help, feeling like you are nothing but in the way in those tiny rooms. The great thing though Brenda is that you are there to watch out for his best interest. I spent months in a hospital alone and I hate remembering the poor care I received at times (sometimes the best though depending on who was on duty). My point is that you are there and you will speak up for him and his best interest if needed. I know, without a doubt (lol) my husband will to ask me for something he wants before he asks the nurses. So give yourself credit, not everyone has a companion to be with like your hubby does. I wish everyone had someone to hold their hand in the rough times. As far as running away, I want to everyday but there is no place I want to be more than with him and I am sure you feel the same way for your husband.
    God bless you both.
    Brenda

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