Jack jumped right out yesterday and had great mobility with his new knee, however, it was basically pain free as the spinal block was still in effect. What we weren't counting on was his upset stomach and nausea from the anesthesia, pain meds, and overall trauma to his body. He ate breakfast yesterday morning, then lunch, and his much needed coffee, and kept it all down until about an hour after his afternoon snack. He had a pretty rough afternoon from that point on-very low blood pressure, dehydrated, and just overall feeling like CRAP! (again, pardon the offensive terminology) They've also had a hard time getting the right pain medication regulated to his system. The first one made him nauseous, and the one they switched him to last night made him feel pretty much like a zombie-totally in a fog. So, they have him back on an original one, that seems to be helping some. He just made a full lap around the nurses station and then some-first time for that, so things are looking up again. Obviously with the block worn off now, he's experiencing quite a bit more pain and had stiffness today after his go-getter work out yesterday. We're still hoping he can go home this evening, but not holding our breath. He needs to make the call, as the doctor gave the go ahead. As I listen to Daisy and Jack snore while they nap, I'm watching snowflakes fall and block my view across interstate to downtown. Maybe this is the best place for him right now anyway.
In all of this hullabaloo going on in our lives, I mixed up my radiation doctor appointment location. (hmmmm…wonder why with Oncology surgeon in one building, radiation doc in another, and surgery, MRI's, mammograms {and let's not forget the WIRE doctors!} in the Doctor's Building) I was 15 minutes early for my appointment today, which I thought was in the Doctor's Building, located right across the street from Jack's room here at Sacred Heart. Wrong! I found out it was actually 35 minutes across town on the North end. Luckily after a call to the doctor explaining my dilemma, they were kind enough to get me in as soon as I could get there. Back up to the room with Miss Daisy in tow to get Kyle's keys and my coat, and on to the other side of Spokane we went. The meeting lasted about two and a half hours, and my phone went dead, so, as I was sitting in the room waiting for him on three different phone calls that he had to excuse himself for, I was panicking thinking Jack may be ready to leave the hospital, and I had no phone to call and Kyle's truck; our only means of transportation. That's simply the way things go with us, so nothing new, really.
The GREAT news is: I am a good candidate for a short version of "partial breast radiation"! I will start around March 1 or as soon as one of my bruises from---you guessed it---one of those darn WIRES----heals up better. It's kind of funny how I ACT "WIRED" most of the time, but I sure didn't have very good luck with the WIRES! Back to the short version: I will get 10 treatments in 5 days! (No, that's not a typo!) This option of treatment is given to those who fall into the category of TNM. T=Tumor-smaller than 1 CM, (mine was 5 mm) N=Node-no cancer, and M= matastasis-none. I also tested hormone receptor positive, which is also a good thing, because I can take the hormone, Tamoxafin, which actually stops cancer cells from turning on. I am thrilled for many reasons, the main one being this is one radiation therapy that has the least side effects both short and longterm, but will still give me the highest percentage of prevention of return cancer or new starting up, and of course the short term/5 35 minute trips to town rather than 35 is a huge relief! And, my radiation doctor is great! I asked him, "If you were a woman my age with my breast cancer, which therapy option (there were 5 offered!) would you choose?" He said he'd go with this one. That's all I needed to hear. I'm certain that he'd pocket a lot more money if I had 35 treatments than he will with only 5! I trust him, and that's one of the most important factors in this entire journey. So far, two for two isn't bad! We'll see what the next three are like: Medical oncologist on Tuesday, Nutritionist, and Nateuropathic doctor (who will be working along with the Medical doctor and the Nutritionist). Isn't it unbelievable how many doctors are needed to eradicate a 5 mm tumor!??!! Reminds me of the "How many North Dakotans does it take to screw in a light bulb" joke. :) (no offense Mom and Dad, Brothers, Cousins, Aunty, other family and friends) I think it's a thing with me: 4 different doctors to get the wires in, 4 doctors to get rid of the cancer…..hopefully the nice looking radiation doctor can manage those 5 days without too many assistants.
Looks like the Action Man is going to spend one more night in this room (well, actually, there are so few patients on this floor, they're moving him down the hall to room 452-shortage of nurses:( ) He's working his knee again as I finish this, and having quite a bit of pain, and grumbling because he can't make the 110 degree bend again. There's that word again; PATIENCE. We've had our share of that reminder in the past month and a half. After watching Jack recuperate from this, I think I'll bag my toe surgery and live with the pain!
PRAYER WARRIORS: Please pray that Jack's nausea subsides enough to let him eat normally, and ease with the pain. Of course complete healing and getting home tomorrow.
Please continue prayers for Mark, Jo, Betsey, Barb, and all those who are fighting some kind of fight, pain, or discomfort and those who are missing their loved one's in Heaven.
Find time to serve someone who is lonely, needy, hungry, ill, unhappy, or just in need of a hug.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45
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