Hospital again

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eibod
eibod Member Posts: 160
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hubby admitted into hospital again today. Came home last Wed, after 23 days. So was home less than a week. Guess my caregiving abilities aren't so great. Feeling pretty low about that. The home health nurse called 911. Really am feeling useless. How do you guys do it?
Brenda

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  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #2
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    Brenda
    A few more details? I can understand something sending him back to the hospital, but I find it hard to blame you...

    Hope he comes home again soon,

    Blake
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #3
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    Buckwirth said:

    Brenda
    A few more details? I can understand something sending him back to the hospital, but I find it hard to blame you...

    Hope he comes home again soon,

    Blake

    Don't think you have to blame your self !
    This thing is really difficult to deal with!
    I pray for fast recovery !
    Hugs Brenda !
  • steveandnat
    steveandnat Member Posts: 886
    #4
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    Don't blame yourself
    This crazy cancer can cause so many problems at any time. I'm sure you are a great caregiver. Hang in there.
    Jeff
  • Brenda Bricco
    Brenda Bricco Member Posts: 579 Member
    #5
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    Please don't blame
    Please don't blame yourself... if it was all do-able at home there wouldn't be any hospitals. I will keep you in prayer. God bless you.
    Brenda
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    #6
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    Hubby feeling a little
    Hubby feeling a little better tonight. They did a procedure today, (pericen...something)
    and drained 17 pounds of fluid off his abdomen. His breathing is so much better now. Thank you all for your good wishes. Brenda
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #7
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    eibod said:

    Hubby feeling a little
    Hubby feeling a little better tonight. They did a procedure today, (pericen...something)
    and drained 17 pounds of fluid off his abdomen. His breathing is so much better now. Thank you all for your good wishes. Brenda

    Brenda:
    Glad your hubby is feeling a bit better. That is a lot of fluid.

    Please don't feel you are not doing a good job as a caregiver. Just be there and do the best you can. I know as a caregiver myself it is a rollercoaster so hang on and hang in there.

    Take care - Tina
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #8
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    Useless?
    You're far from that, Brenda - I know that just in the short time I've tried to get to know you.

    What you're feeling is probably more like helplessness, because there is only so much medically you can do and you have that feeling of inadequancy because he barely got home and had to go back. But, that's far from the case...from what I can tell, you've been there with your finger firmly on the pulse the whole time.

    Try looking at this way - at least your husband is close to a good facility where he can get those kinds of needs addressed. It's a drag being at the hospital, but when complications arise, there still is no better place to be, that much is certain.

    Thank goodness for home health care. They were able to assess the situation and take appropriate action. That sure was alot of fluid they drained out - an incredible amount. No doubt he is feeling better and I hope you are now as well.

    The other good news is that you learned what to do next time, should it ever come back up and home health is unavailable or after-hours. You now know the symptoms and things to look for as a result. And that's invaluable and could save your partner's life one day.

    You're a good caregiver and proud to have you on board the team:)

    -Craig
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #9
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    geotina said:

    Brenda:
    Glad your hubby is feeling a bit better. That is a lot of fluid.

    Please don't feel you are not doing a good job as a caregiver. Just be there and do the best you can. I know as a caregiver myself it is a rollercoaster so hang on and hang in there.

    Take care - Tina

    Agreed
    As I thought, your care did not put him in the hospital. As cancer patients lots of things can come up, some of them would seem minor if we did not have this disease.

    My oncologist sent me to the ER straight from a visit with him. I have put myself there several times in the last year. None of it had to do with my wife's care, just the effects of the disease.

    What I would recommend is do not hesitate to call his oncologist, day or night. There is always someone on call, and you can let them decide if a symptom needs immediate treatment.

    As Tina says, hang in there!

    Blake
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    #10
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    Hi, it's me again. Hubby is
    Hi, it's me again. Hubby is still in the hospital, thought he was ready to come home, but the fluid in the abdomen is starting again. They will do a ulta sound tomorrow.
    The last ct showed that the liver mets had not gotten any worse, and of course they are
    testing the 17 lbs of fluid they got from his abdomen last Thurday. So where would the
    fluid be from. I am thinking it is from the rectal tumor, but he just finished 20 radiation treatment. Should I be worried??? He had gotten to feeling better, but now is down again. Will be glad when his doctor returns on Monday. Thanks everyone for listening.
    Brenda
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #11
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    eibod said:

    Hi, it's me again. Hubby is
    Hi, it's me again. Hubby is still in the hospital, thought he was ready to come home, but the fluid in the abdomen is starting again. They will do a ulta sound tomorrow.
    The last ct showed that the liver mets had not gotten any worse, and of course they are
    testing the 17 lbs of fluid they got from his abdomen last Thurday. So where would the
    fluid be from. I am thinking it is from the rectal tumor, but he just finished 20 radiation treatment. Should I be worried??? He had gotten to feeling better, but now is down again. Will be glad when his doctor returns on Monday. Thanks everyone for listening.
    Brenda

    It sounds like Ascites
    Ascites Wiki

    Not an uncommon symptom with our disease, but one that needs to be monitored carefully (thus the hospital stay).

    If you are there when the attending physician checks in on him today you should ask, and also try to get an understanding of what it means.

    Blake
  • eibod
    eibod Member Posts: 160
    #12
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    Buckwirth said:

    It sounds like Ascites
    Ascites Wiki

    Not an uncommon symptom with our disease, but one that needs to be monitored carefully (thus the hospital stay).

    If you are there when the attending physician checks in on him today you should ask, and also try to get an understanding of what it means.

    Blake

    Yes, from what I have read
    Yes, from what I have read it does sound like Ascites. They drained 12 pounds today. But still do not have test results. So we haven't been told why and what. It is amazing that the body fills with so much fluid so rapidly. Am afraid of what the test results will show,have read that it could be from infection, so don't know if we should be hoping for that answer or not. Thanks, Brenda

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