Monday went fine

Dave's keeping up with 2 to 3 quarts of water a day. Eating is okay, he did pretty good today. His homecare nurse came by to draw blood and PT came by too. He likes both of them, so does Nancy-boy. Since we put Nikki and Ruthie outside when we had visits today, Nancy-boy was the greeter. He had a great time getting lots of extra love. Palliative care NP called and will stop by Friday am. She wanted to make sure everything was okay, call her anytime. I bought grab bars for the bathroom today ( in anticipation for an OT visit tomorrow) and decided that was a good enough reason to get new "stuff" too..... towel bars, hooks, etc. Talked twice to the insurance company today...got work done...and mowed the lawn while Tim and Dave talked about getting more mics up on eBay. Dave got a nap in too, I missed mine. I'm aiming for tomorrow.

All and all a good day. Best of all...we're home.

peace, love, groove

Where do we go from here.....

So it seems to be time to get a few thoughts off of my shoulders...again. I was not happy that Dave ended up in the hospital when lab work had been drawn on him the afternoon before. I still haven't seen those results, but I find it hard to believe his potassium jumped that high in about 14 hours. To be fair, I need to get the information, and will. Anyway, we started talking to his MDs in the hospital about Dave getting IV fluids at home from now on as needed so he doesn't have to spend his energy going to clinics and hospitals, instead he'll be at home. Having worked for years at Lakeland, I know the homecare staff pretty well and started being honest with my frustrations. I stopped Dave's potassium pill about 2 weeks ago when I noticed on some lab work we got that it was just above normal...etc. The discussions with homecare and other clinical friends was good and lead to thinking about "Palliative Care". This is a newer practice, at least in our area, and focuses on keeping the patient at home instead of in hospitals and living a quality of life we are certainly working toward. Don't let "palliative" fool you. I don't think it's the best name they could have chosen since it has some other meanings. Please look at the link above...it explains it wonderfully.

So, Dave will have homecare this time. That means he'll have PT to keep him doing exercises to improve his balance and leg strength. A nurse will draw labs in our home and make sure the office is doing the right thing (instead of me). I can just make sure the nurse is doing the right thing (hee hee). The "palliative" part includes an MD and a NP who keep an eye on the overall picture. They'll help us to manage the symptoms better and improve Dave's quality of life as we continue our journey. And I hope they will help to fill the void we've had since we lost our first oncologist when he retired. There was such a connection there and we've just never felt that again.

Dave and I slept well last night. It's good to be home with our dogs and "dog-cat", Nancy-boy.

peace, love, groove.

Home is where the heart is....There's no place like home

We got home. The nephrologist said....drink, drink, drink, and eat, eat, eat. The hospitalist got to Dave about 12:50 and we were out the door at 1:30 pm. Had to get a prescription filled and home we went. Dave tried to lye down while I took a long shower and dried my hair for the first time in 5 days. All refreshed, we went to Al's in South Bend to meet family and celebrate Ev's 86th birthday. Dave did pretty good eating dinner and we headed home around 6:30. After sitting on the deck for an hour or so....we got into out comfy bed. I'm doing a little facebook and emails and then to sleep. Nothing on the schedule tomorrow. Rest, rest, rest...that's what we say. Thanks to everyone who kept the positive vibes coming our way.

peace, love, groove

Friday evening in hospitalville

Pictures: Dave with his new glasses on Thursday; Phil listening in on the girls tonight; Al, Jennie and Loni; Jennie and Dave.

So, we're still here. Dave's getting his second unit of blood soon. He is sooooooooooooooo much better already. Hoping to get sprung by early afternoon so we can help celebrate Dave's mom's 86th birthday and spend a little more time with Jennie, who's in town from North Carolina this weekend. Have to say we've had great care. Dave's had a great tune-up and hoping he'll stay a new man for awhile. More tomorrow.

peace, love, groove

Wait a minute....cancel all discharge for today

Darn....almost out the door. Dave's hemoglobin dropped again, down to 7.1 or so. He needs 2 units of blood tonight. Now home is back on the table for tomorrow. Hoping to make a family picnic in South Bend tomorrow afternoon. Fingers crossed.....

peace, love, groove

We're going home

Tomorrow's the day. Going home with homecare and IV fluids every other day. PT come over to help Dave with balance and leg strength. Glad he won't have to go somewhere for fluids and friends can come over and just have quality time with him. Had a few more visitors today- Loni stopped by, Al and Dave's mom, Chuck and Cookie, Tim, and two Catherine's. Dave had a couple short naps. Walked some in the hall with PT. We even took him outside to get a little sun the afternoon around 4 pm. All and all we're ready to go to bed. Lots of pictures tomorrow. Can't wait to lay in bed with the dogs ( I know it's bad, I don't care!)

peace, love, groove.

What is sleep?

Up early with the nephrologist...the beauty of being in the hospital and having 24 hour care. He says Dave has to be able to drink at least 3 quarts a day ( 2 is absolute minimum). He felt we should hold the Tarceva for a little longer. Dave's labs continue to get better. They added bicarb to the IV fluids yesterday because that was low. Back to normal by 7 pm yesterday. He's thinking home on Friday....?? Dave continues to be less confused a little at a time. I'm going to continue to push for IV fluids at home for awhile. That way his energy can go toward doing things at home and with friends/family, not going to the MD.

We do have an appointment with the oncologist next Friday and the radiation oncologist next Thursday.

peace, love, groove.