1/15 – Sunday
It was a busy week. Michelle, along with about 100 other cancer patients had blood tests on Wednesday. A new year and new insurance / copays make for a busy waiting room. Our 1:30 lab appointment soon became a 2:15. This pushed the neurologist from 2:00 to 2:30. The neurologist nurse told us 3 times she would make sure that neurologist knew we were late because the lab was low on staffing and running behind, not because we showed up for our appointment 30 minutes past the scheduled time. I'm not judgy but I think the doctor may have allegrophobia, or may not like those who don't?
The nuerologist was apathetic about Michelle's decision to not pursue further chemotherapy treatment. Bringing up hospice made us both squirm uncomfortably in our chairs. We couldn't wait to get out of her office. See the attached picture I snapped from my chair while we waited in her office. We agreed to take a "Treatment Holiday" and it was off to the 3:00 oncologist appointment, still 30 minutes late.
The home health nurse was encouraged by Michelle's progress since her last visit. She gave her some breathing exercises to practice. After the nurse left, I took the Oxygen off for an hour or so to see how her levels would look, they seemed to look good, but I wanted to stay cautious, so we put it back on. I turned it down to 1 liter per minute, she seemed to handle this without issue.
Friday, she woke up feeling great. The physical therapist was at the house at 9am so it made for an early morning. I took the oxygen off before he arrived. He spent an hour with her and was very impressed with her strength and fortitude. He gave her a spirometer for breathing exercises and encouraged hourly walking and exercises. She has come off oxygen 100%. She now walks unassisted. Yesterday was her first shower without using a chair or any other support in the shower. Her legs were tired, but this is normal. She hasn't used these muscles for a while.
Her progress just in the past week has been exponential. We were told the cancer cells may keep dying for months after the end of the radiation treatment. Unfortunately, she cannot have radiation again, she can get localized radiation, if there is a specific tumor that needs treatment, but if there are "a bunch" of lesions that once again appear, radiation is not an option. Because of the blood brain barrier, chemotherapy will only attack tumors in the lungs and liver. It will not attack tumors in the brain or spine. These are some reasons Michelle has chosen to take a "treatment holiday."
Food challenges are getting better. I have fired up the deep fryer more than once. We had fried shrimp one night and fried halibut another. I've been making some tortilla chips also. We had spaghetti with homemade meatballs. The meat used was all raised by Luck Ranch, lamb, beef and pork.
Love, Brian
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