First side effects

The first chemo treatment seemed to pass ok. Tim started experiencing some diahhrea on Wednesday. Since he had to go in that day to have his "take home" bag removed, he thought he would ask about it then. He explained that he was taking Imodium and it wasn't really plugging him up - so they indicated they would "call-in" something stronger.
We left - I had some shopping to do - and we got home about 4. After unloading the car and resting a bit - I decided I should go into the pharmacy to pick up his "corks". I got there about 10 minutes till 5 and there was a long line at the drug counter, so I walked around the store a bit.
I went back to the pharmacy counter about 5 after 5.......can you see this one coming....? They had not received anything from the doctor's office.....and of course the office was closed....it was after 5! I called the office - and of course got the answering system - they took my info and said if I hadn't heard from the doctor in 20 minutes to call them back. I grabbed a chair and sat for 30 minutes. I gave up and decided that when I got home, Tim could just take a handful of Imodium and probably be ok till the next day when we could try again. I had ridden my scooter to the store.....and on the way home, I could hear my phone ringing in my pocket! It was the doctor (on call) finally calling back. I sat on the side of the road - trying to explain the situation....to which he finally exclaimed that a perscription had already been called in earlier that day.......Great! but the pharmacy didn't get it. So, he pushed it again (they all use computers to order drugs rather than calling) and said to go back and if they didn't have it to call him back........(how do you call a doctor on call back?) OK, so I ride back to the pharmacy - go in and ask.....and NOTHING! I called the number back the doctor had used....nothing! I left a message......nothing! I eventually sent a text message.....nothing! After another 30 or so minutes I decided to call the answering service back. They put me on hold......for another 20 minutes.....and finally the doctor answered! I told him to "hang on a sec" and handed the phone to the pharmacist! Phew! After 2 hours, I finally had a nice little bottle of the tiniest pills you have ever seen. I got home and they plugged Tim up!!!!
Starting on Thursday morning, Tim sent me a message that his tummy was upset. Now, I was on the ball for this one! I had him call into the doctor and ask for the nausea pill to be called into the pharmacy. Then, about an hour later I had Tim call the pharmacy to see if they had received the "new" request. Boy, this was working great!! Anyway, the pharmacy got it, I picked it up, Tim took it - and we all felt much better!
The next chemo treatment is set for Wednesday, Sept 3......we'll see how "slick" that one goes!!!

First Chemo - Monday Aug 18

I took Tim to the cancer center on Monday morning, Aug 18. Normally, when he checks in he goes through the lab to give some blood. Hmmm, I guess he gives blood and gets chemicals.....not sure that is a good trade-off. Since he had done blood work earlier - we just went straight to the chemo area.

They started him off with a few drips (IV bag) that help prevent nausea. His total drug session was to last around 5 hours so I left and went to work until he called that he was finished.

He is getting what is called FULFOX5 with Avestin. Each of the letters stand for a chemo drug.

The Avestin is to open up his blood cells so they will be more receptive to getting the chemo. The drug that starts with the "O" is the one that gives him the problem with anything cold. When I left he was having juice with ice. During the day the ice was taken away and when I picked him up he was drinking room temperature liquids.

He said the day passed ok. He watched as other chemo receivers came in and out getting their varied doses of the poison. One gentleman that was there when we got there comes in every 2 or 3 days and gets a 30 minute drip. Another one that came in is on a continual drip and came in for a refill. Tim met another "guy" that had stopped in to say HI to the staff. He was a big, knarly, tattooed "biker" guy. We can all picture him! Anyway, he looked at Tim after the staff filled him in on what Tim was getting, and said "Oh, been there, received everything you're getting, and now I'm fine!" Now, I wonder if Tim will turn out to be a "big, knarly, tattooed biker?" Yeah, I kind of doubt it, too! But the guy made Tim feel better about his treatments.

On the way home, Tim had his lukewarm water to drink. I stopped by McDonald's for some of their wonderful sweet iced tea. As we were driving along and chatting, Tim reached down and grabbed his drink and took a swig.....at least he thought he grabbed his own..... the next thing I knew is that he was spewing a mouthful. I thought he was upchucking! He had grabbed my iced tea and taken a drink without thinking it wasn't his. The moment the "cold" hit his tongue - he felt an immediate "burn" and he spit for all he was worth! They had cautioned against cold and said he didn't want to get it in his throat - it would burn and he wouldn't be able to swallow, etc. He said it burned like the hottest of peppers you bite into. He didn't want to risk any going down this throat - so he instinctly spit. He was fine - and learned why they cautioned him so much against anything cold. This cold sensation lasted till about Saturday.....

He brought an infusion pump home - and went back on Wednesday to have it taken off.

He goes back every two weeks for Chemo. Since Labor day comes on the next time....his next treatment will be on Wednesday, Sept 3..........

Chemo

I didn't think I would write anymore - but then decided that perhaps this was a good way to keep track - and therapy for me!
Tim had a port put in to make it easier to receive the drugs on Aug. 11.
We went to chemo training on Friday, Aug. 15. WOW! I never really thought about chemo - except when you hear about it - you watch to see if the person you know is bald! This is scary stuff - the more the nurse talked the more I thought that if it were me -I would leave, find a cave and never go back! She has to go through all the possible side effects - but she really doesn't say they are only possibilities....she just starts in with "you will get" "you will feel" "you will experience"...... I don't know how Tim felt through all the "teaching" but I started feeling very queasy. His biggest adversions will be to cold. Once treatment starts he can't have anything cold! AND.....he will probably keep all his white, wooly hair! (I was secretly hoping it would fall out and come back in nice and dark). I figure if this chemical stuff is going to alter his body - I would at least see some some young handsome stud when it was over. Realistically, I think you are lucky if you don't end up all withered!

Home at last

I forgot to update this with the last important information - Tim was released from the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. We got home about 5:30. It is good to be home!
The dogs are glad to see Tim.
It is Thursday - and I came to work for a while. I'm trying to save back some of my sick time to take off for additional doctor appointments, etc. Although, I don't forsee any vacations at the moment - so using vacation hours isn't going to hurt anything!
Tim is ok'd to do pretty much anything within reason. He can't lift anything over 10 pounds for about 6 weeks. (Yes, we've heard the old joke.....and no, I don't need to help him in the bathroom!!) If you haven't heard that one - we might be able to fill you in!! :)
Tim will go back to Indy sometime next week to have the staples removed. And he is to contact his oncologist to start Chemo within the next 2 weeks. I hope that process goes without too much upset.
I hope you have all been able to enjoy reading my entries and keeping up with Tim. I'm not sure I will need to make any more entries!
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, prayers and contact!

Hurry up and wait

We are to the "hurry up and wait" stage. We were taking a walk and saw the doctor in the hallway. He said - you look good - guess you can go home!
We are waiting for the nurses to come back. We just took another walk around the block (to spy) and we didn't see anyone in the nurses area. Guess, they all went to lunch! Tim gave up and ordered lunch. It takes about an hour to get it. He may be able to order dinner at this rate!
Oh, well, that much less I have to think about fixing!! haha

Wednesday morning

Today is a beautiful day = the humidity is gone and the temperature is nice. If summer would just stay like today - it would be wonderful!
I got to the hospital about 10 this morning. Tim was up and had finished his breakfast. He had cream of wheat, sausage gravy and biscuits, english muffins and jelly, fresh fruit, tea, coffee, milk, etc. It may be real difficult for him to go home and back to fixing his own breakfast.
Yes, there is a positive hint he will go home later this afternoon. Yesterday was the "wait and see" mode. We had to wait and see how the day went. We are now in the "wait and hold" pattern....... We are holding and waiting for the surgeon to come in and check him out. Then we can move on to the "wait and go" pattern. We can go, but have to wait till they can process all the orders. Then I guess it will be the "wait and leave" mode. We are leaving, but have to wait for me to get the car and pull it around.... I'm sure there may be more. The day before was the "wait and do". We had to wait for Tim to do his doo doo.
Oh well! I guess I could make a few trips to the car. It's amazing that when you bring nothing to the hospital - how much you have to take home. I can understand the maternity area - you get an extra person to take home.....on this floor we just get "stuff".
The young doctor that comes in to check on Tim each morning came in after I got here. He is really nice, knowledgeable and cute. I think he may have trouble making a go of it, though. His last name is "Abad". I'm just not sure how many people will want to see or recommend "a bad" doctor. He indicated that Tim's surgeon was doing some minor out-patient surgeries this morning and would like to see Tim before he wrote the orders to go home.
Until then, it's just more sitting around. Tim does look much better today. He is still sore in the abdomen - and probably will be for a few more weeks. He will come back next Tuesday to have all the staples pulled.
So.....you will all have to "wait" until I let you know we can leave!!

Tuesday Afternoon

WOW! What a difference a day can make. Yesterday, I don't think Tim said over 20 words - and most of them were somesort of primal grunt and "golly, I feel sore and bloated". Today, he is still very sore - but he must be feeling some what better. When I came in about 11 am - he was finishing up his breakfast of cream of wheat, an omlette, fruit, etc. His grunt was - "well, the doctors suggested that I eat something - and the recommended the omlette." He is sitting up in a chair and much more talkative today. Nature came calling about 4:30 am and again about 8:30 am. It's amazing how those body functions can make you feel like new!
Mike came by to visit during his lunch - so afterwards he and I found a Taco Bell/KFC place down the road. (we'sus no 'n the gooden pa't of town!) The joint wasn't "fast food" - well perhaps the food is fast - but service is nice'n slow! It tasted good! Mike dropped me off and went back to work. Tim had been sitting and walking..... and when I got back, he visited some more.
He has just ordered a "snack" to eat before dinner. You know a Hunley is feeling better when they are ready to snack and then eat! He is chowing down on a cheeseburger, a little pasta salad, a cheesecake with fruit and some lemonade. It will be interesting to see what he orders for dinner. Meals in the hospital are self ordered from a menu. You can order anytime (all day long) between the hours of 6:30 am and 7:30 pm. You can eat what you want, when you want. What a resort!! And no tipping!! Perhaps, with the high cost of gas -and vacationing out - we all might want to look towards a local hospital. Dress is casual and often optional, room service and meals are included! Plus where else can you get drugs on demand!! Tim is totally "unhooked" from his life-line of fluid drip and morphine. He is "free" to get up and wander aimlessly as he pleases! He said there were suggestions of being released tomorrow. I certainly hope so! I don't see much need to be here a whole lot longer. He also indicated that he would need to come back to see the doctor in a week to have his staples removed. Hope that only takes the "easy" button!

Monday - afternoon

Here it is Monday afternoon, already! How the day flies sitting here staring at the walls! I did go sit in the hallway and watch the activity up and down the halls. Oh, the stories I can make up out there!
Tim is hanging in there - or out there.....I don't know which way anymore. He complains of being sore, bloated, etc. That may pass in a year or so...... (Actually, hope he passes something quicker than that!)
Obviously, not much is new up here, anymore! He is to move onto a little thicker liquid. He can have "whipped" oatmeal. I secretly hope he orders that - I want to see what that is! Someone indicated it is oatmeal that has been in the blender. Sounds interesting.....Might be a whole new way to make it at home!! I'd think he'd be ready for some baby food - like whipped peas and whipped chicken (or is that a chicken that was bad?).
He's really into the morphine drip - and I keep telling him he needs to (eat) something else.
Well, I have the nurses going now.....I asked about some antacid - he has heartburn - and I asked if the painkiller was stopping up what little might be in there.....so now they are in a dizzy trying to figure out how to "dose" both ends. Pain killers will create constipation..... and I was wondering if the morphine could be causing some of the bloating.....
If anyone is interested - I went home last night. It was really nice! Felt like I had been gone for 6 months rather than 4 days. The dogs were glad to have someone to sit with. I will go home again this evening.

Sunday night

Another day in the hospital is coming to a close. It has been another long day - but a good one, overall. We had several visitors and all the kids were here to stay a while - even the grandkids!
Aiden and I (and Mike and Sara) rode the People Mover to IUPUI and back. It was actually quite interesting.
Tim is sore - and while he doesn't really complain - you can tell he is quite uncomfortable. He says it is more the muscles - it will pain up around the right side - then quit and then it moves down to the lower muscles. I'm sure this has been quite traumatic to all his organs!
He has made 12 laps today around the compound and tooted 3 times! Way to go!! Hopefully, the staff will let him sleep as well as he can this evening.
I'm going to head home for the night - and be back tomorrow. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed!
A good night to all!

Sunday morning

I stayed over at Aaron and Marlene's last night = and got a late start back to the hospital.
When I came in this morning = Tim was up and eating jello. Said he had been out for his morning walk - and had done 4 laps. A doctor had been in - and said he was progressing well. He indicated that while up walking - he finally passed gas. Terrible to think that we measure progress by body functions......but that is a terrific sign! He took a little sponge bath and is all nice and clean!! And smelling better!! haha
He has a port in his neck from surgery - and they have come in today to remove it. He also has an IV in his left hand - that has to be changed to another location.
His blood pressure is running a little high..... so we will see what they do for that. The doctors aren't worried, but the little LPN is.....
Each day he seems to be getting better - a ways to go yet - but amazing how well he is doing! He still has some minor pain - but looking at his opening - I'm surprised he can move at all. I don't even think Frankenstein had an incision as big.
He has a private room at the end of the hallway. It is nice and quiet here - great for resting! He has a huge window that looks out over the interstate and you can see IUPUI, Riley, etc. The windows on the other side look at a brick wall - so this is nice.
Tim says HI to everyone reading!!
We probably won't know a lot more until tomorrow when his "real" doctor comes back in. For the weekend - he has the "team" looking after him. I think they are IUPUI med students. They are very good - and knowledgeable.....

Later on Saturday

Tim is doing well. Tim has been up walking several times and has had some apple juice. There is nothing else to do! I don't think Tim's up to anything else, either!
He's been asked several times to compare this surgery to his heart surgery.
He says - of course he hurts in different places.... it's a little easier to get up. He can use his arms to help - with the heart surgery he had to use the adominal muscles only. He feels with this one there is a little more pain - more uncomfortableness. He said the heart surgery was a "shock" to his body - and it was tougher to move. It hurt to attempt to roll or get up. It hurt to lay down. He didn't move or want to be moved for a few days. The nurses had to move him. This one he was able to move a little. The next day after this surgery - he sat up on his own and was able to get up and walk. He is able to take care of his own needs a little easier with this surgery.
He doesn't mind chatting - so feel free to give him a call. His cell phone is here too, now.
Thanks to all that are thinking and praying!

Saturday afternoon

Not much is happening. A few doctors have been in and impressed Tim has made the effort to get up and walk. He has made 3 laps around the "block" today - and will go for more, I'm sure!
They have talked about starting him on a little broth - perhaps for dinner. No one is in a rush to get things "moving" yet! The doctor did change his dressing this morning. WOW!! He has one LONG scar. I took a picture - but he really didn't think he wanted it posted..... It is about 2 feet long and it is stapled closed. Ouch! No wonder he is sore!
Matt and Kate have been here all morning - and have left to go energize themselves. It does get sleepy in here.
The nurse is in and he is being upgraded to broth! And they are removing the cath. We'll see how it "goes"!!!
Aaron and Marlene are on their way to come visit - and of course we want to visit with the baby!!

Saturday morning

I got up and over to see Tim about 8 am. He was awake. Nothing much happening! Just sitting and staring at the walls. Of course he can turn on the TV and watch cartoons - but I'm not sure Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are still the most popular. The others are too difficult to follow!! haha Sure would be tough to be a kid these days!!
Of course, no food has been allowed yet - so he is on a steady diet of ice chips. I'm hopeful he can move on to some of the delicious hospital broth today. Of course they want to take it slow and easy on the bowels. I'm sure a steak dinner might just blow everything apart!! ouch!
He's wanting to get up and take a walk.....so he shot himself with a dose of morphine to mask the pain. Well, it's working......a little too well......he's "OUT!!" Now, he will have to sleep off the meds and try again...... This happened with the heart surgeries - they would give him percosets (?) and that would knock him out and they expected him to get up and go. At the moment, I'm not sure he can feel his legs - let alone make the brain work to control the legs....oh, the wonders of pain killers.....or is that just baritones? (inside joke)!
Overall he said his pain has moved from the stomach area on down to the lower area - like where women would feel their cramps and bloating. I'm sure all the muscles and intestines are sore from surgery....so time will help. I also think he is probably to the stage where he is ready to pass some gas.... crazy - but that will be a good sign here!! Probably would help with his cramping, too! He has a sign board on the wall where they can write the RN's names - and at the bottom it has "today's goals". Matt put several up there......Smile, Walk, blow and cough, Pass gas. He has accomplished all but the last so far....

The nurse has just come in.......

Friday evening

Tim is feeling pretty good. He says his stomach hurts and feels bloated. I just can't imagine trying to sit up with his incision. The surgeon completed the puzzle - he was opened from the bottom of the rib cage - where the heart operation stopped - all the rest of the way down....... I'll let you use your imagination!
His diet at the moment is only ice chips, water and popsicles. Tomorrow may be a start with some clear liquids. They want to move slowly so what ever goes in will move slowly!
After Tim was in the room for a while - he asked the nurse if he could get up.....he took a nice walk around the "block". He did pretty good. It is now 9 pm and he is taking another walk.
I'm sure he will be settling down for the night. It's been another long day - but lots if good progress!
More on Saturday!

Tim"s in his own room!

At about noon, they moved Tim to his room. When I walked in - my first comment was - "Wow, it's a private room - how did you get that?" Tim replied - "Money". I fainted!! (Not really!)
Anyway, it is a nice room - at the back corner of the hall - nice and quiet - and private.
He's feeling pretty good - still complains of some pain in the stomach area - so he uses his morphine pump. And that makes him a little goofy - which is almost like normal.
He is in good spirits! I will eventually bring his cell phone up to the room - but until then, if anyone wants to give him a call his phone number in the room is - 317-962-7245. His room # is 4087. He is still hooked up to a couple of IV's. When he has rested some - he will probably attempt to sit up. His bed adjusts to a sitting position - so his first time up will be easier than climbing out of bed.

ready to move

I was able to get back to see Tim this morning in the recovery area - and stayed about an hour - until surgery patients started coming in. He is doing very good this morning. Spirits are good! We are waiting now for a regular room to open up - they said that can take all day - a lot of patients don't go home until their "ride" gets off work in the evening. He gets lots of monitered care - but now he is ready to get up and sit in a chair....and work on getting better. They can't do that kind of help in the recovery area - as they are busy with the patients coming in from surgery and needing assistance. So, he is just resting. That's not all bad! His stomach pain and muscle cramps are gone. Wonder medicines!!! He has a morphine pump - and has learned to use that when he has some twinges. He might as well! I will spend another day lounging (?) in the waiting room.......

Friday morning

Yesterday afternoon and evening were very long. There were no ICU rooms open so Tim was kept in the recovery area. No one is allowed to see him except me. I did go in to see him about 4. He was very groggy and being kept on pain meds. He was complaining of "a lot of pain". The nurses said he was having muscle spasms and they had ordered muscle relaxants and vicodin. I knew that would keep him out. When they were unable to move him to ICU, I decided to leave him alone for the evening. Mike stayed around and took me to eat. He left after 9 pm and I went back to the room. The motel is connected to the hospital. My room "ain't no Holiday Inn!" I'm not even sure I have the basics - although there is a bed and bathroom.....
I got up around 5/6 this morning and decided to move the car and get ready for another long day of sitting around. At 7 am, Friday morning, I went back to the waiting room to check on Tim. He's still in the recovery area..... They let the staff know I was here - and maybe I will get a chance to get back to see him later...... I'll update more, then!! I hope the adage is true - "No news is good news".

out of surgery

The doctor came out to talk to us about 1:30. He said all went very well with the surgery.
The cancer in the rectum was pretty well contained within that area and he is confident that he got it all. He was able to reattach - so there is NO bag! That was Tim's biggest fear. The cancer was also in the left quadrant of the liver. The doctor took all of the left quadrant and as a bonus = he also took the gall bladder! He said Tim was doing fine and in recovery.
The boys and I left and went to lunch - and so we have not heard from the recovery nurse yet - or found out when we might go back to take a peek at him.
My brother Dave came by - and sat and visited and kept us company until the doctor came out. It was really nice to see him and chat.
More later........

In surgery

We arrived at the hospital at 6 am. They took Tim to prep and then the boys and I joined him for about an hour. The doctors and nurses came in and checked him over and continually checked on his sprits and ours. All are good! They came in to roll him away about 8. The boys and I went to breakfast. At 9:30 they called in with a message that he was asleep, ready to start surgery and doing great.
Aaron, Scott, Megan and I are at the waiting room - just waiting!! I asked how long surgery would take and it was estimated 3 to 3 /1/2 hours. Unless they call out with another update - I don't expect to know more until about noon or later.

Day before

We are getting ready for tomorrow. We kept wondering if Tim was to have any "clean out" before surgery, but all the office had told us was nothing after midnight. That seemed easy!!
Well, the office called Tim this morning and told him about his "prep". It is similar to what you do before a colonoscopy. So, today - he has been making trips to the bathroom - and getting his system "clean" before his big day tomorrow. We will leave home at 4:45 am in the morning - to get to Methodist by 6 am. I believe all the boys will be there with me.
I will be sure to add updates through out the day tomorrow as we know anything. I'm not sure if the nurses or doctor will call with any updates during surgery.
In the meantime, Thanks to all who have volunteered to stop by and play with the dogs and/or take them for walks. They will appreciate all the attention they get!
So, until tomorrow - as Tim says......gotta go!!!

saw the surgeon

Tim and I drove to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis to meet with the surgeon this morning, Friday, July 11. His recommendation was to remove the cancerous part in the rectum and the liver. We will report to Methodist Hospital at 6am on Thursday, July 17. Recovery at the hospital is estimated to be 6 days. Until then - all is ok here!

New baby girl

Aaron and Marlene had a baby girl - Emma Grace - today, July 7, at 1:38 pm. She weighed in at 6 pounds 8 ounces and is 19 1/2 inches long. She has dark hair - a beautiful face, long fingers and Aaron's big feet. She is healthy and beautiful. Mom, Dad and baby are doing great!

Just waiting

During a routine colonoscopy, rectal cancer was found in Tim. In doing more tests and scans (PET) they have also found that it has metastasized to the liver. Tim had a bioposy of the liver done on Thursday, July 3.
At this time we are just waiting for all tests to be done and meet with appropriate doctors and surgeons to see what course of action will be set up.
We will see Dr. Rouch at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Friday, July 11.

In the meantime, we are waiting on the birth of our first granddaughter today! Marlene is in the hospital today, July 7.