Dave made a good turn this morning. His hemoglobin and platelets are staying stable. Coughing up minimal amounts of blood. WBC's up to 2.5. He's out of isolation. MD came by and said he's going in the right direction. Saw the oncologist this afternoon. How do they get this way of making you feel better... no matter what? He said Dave is done with chemo, his body can't take it anymore. His infection was due to the counts being so low and he just couldn't recover from it. Since his labs are starting to improve, they'll start lung radiation Monday and hopefully he can go home by Tuesday. The radiation should help open up the left bronchial and his lung will open up again. Big sigh and fingers crossed. He also feels Dave can start taking a pill (I can never remember the name) that's for lung cancer and can also help with the brain tumors. We can follow up at their office after he goes home and get information and a rX. He said Dave can have radiation at the same time and this pill won't affect his blood counts. We know none of these current treatments are a cure, but they are a method to make Dave feel better so he can enjoy the rest of his life. No one has a crystal ball that will tell us how long that will be.
Since Dave has been so weak, we decided this week to get a bed in the living room so he doesn't have to walk as far. My mom let us borrow her twin craftmatic bed. Mom, George and Mark Lester set up the living room today. Then my mom came over to see Dave. Several other visitors today including Tom and Suzanne and also Kay. Now we just have to work out the front patio/stairs and we're ready for almost anything.
It feels like we just went through a roll over on the roller coaster. A little check on how precious our time together is and how great our friends and families are too!
Lee, you know I've always had a hard time keeping my mouth shut. Since DKM's hospitalization, I've noticed 0 comments in response to your posts. I have been struggling with what to say, what words would sound the best, so I finally decided to just put it out there and tell you where I'm at:
ReplyDelete"We know none of these current treatments are a cure, but they are a method to make Dave feel better so he can enjoy the rest of his life. No one has a crystal ball that will tell us how long that will be"
When I read that, I thought, "so....have they given up the fight? Are they feeling he will not beat this, and now it's about quality of life for what time is left?"
From the very beginning I have held a steadfast belief that Dave would beat this. These were not just words of encouragement for you, I really believed it. But when I read the words you posted, that I have quoted here, I don't know what to think now. That's why I didn't post a comment, because I have always been thinking positive thoughts, and now I'm not sure where you guys are at...emotionally, spiritually. Do you still have hope?
I love you guys....SO much.
Mimi you're the best. I did respond to you privately too. Let me say to all.... Dave was pretty sick. These's no air geting into his left lung. The MD came in Friday and said Dave is going to die from this disease some day and talked about DNR status and Hospice. Now.... he wasn't wrong totally. We need to keep this in our mind. At any point something could go wrong. We know these drugs put patients in very dangerous situations. It did scare us a little. Now the oncologist gave us hope. There are other ways to fight that may let Dave still enjoy the things he loves....family, friends, our dogs, music and camp fires. The first thing we need to do is radiation to decrease the tumor and re-expand his left lung. Then we need to get back his strength.
ReplyDeleteLastly- I have always had the opinion that we win over this disease by not stopping to live until we do die. With your encouragement and love...we will continue and remain strong.
Lee - Thanks you so much for your comforting words. Your final comment reminded me that my Dad did win over this disease. Each person that 'rides this donkey' (as my Dad called it) does come through the journey with a clearer vision of what 'living' means.
ReplyDeleteDave - I wanted to tell you again, what an inspiration you have been to so many people. People, like me, who've never met you, but heard about your unbelievable battle with a crappy disease. Who would have thought - cancer would have brought my world in connection with yours? Call it Karma or fate, I needed the connection! Thanks..friend.
Thanks Lee--it's not your job to make me feel better, but you did. I think you are both amazing....pushing on, pushing ahead. It takes a tremendous amount of strength and heart and I am so proud of both of you!
ReplyDeletePS--I looked for your private response and couldn't find it? (I don't use the msn address anymore.)
Hope you're home soon, Dave :)
love you Mimi.
ReplyDelete