Medical Cast (in numerical order)

Dr. #1 - Orthopaedic Doc from GR - the cool guy
Dr. #2 - Hip biopsy guy, located in The D
Dr. #3 - Leg tumor remover - 'Radiology Oncologist' - also in GR
Dr. #4 - Lung tumor guy - my main Oncologist
Dr. #5 - Lung biopsy/collapsed lung creator
Dr. #6 - The Plumber - Dr. Colonoscopy and Throat Sweeper
Dr. #7 - UM Lung Specialist - hopefully, The Answer Man
Dr. #8 - Orthopedic Oncologist - The Hip Replacer
Dr. #9 - Lung Surgeon - The Wedge Resector
Dr. #10 - Pain Specialist - Real Life McDreamy
Dr. #11 - Orthopaedic Doc Numero 2 - Investigator
Dr. #12 - REAL Pain Specialist - The Angel!
Dr. #13 - Spine Guy
Dr. # 14 - Anesthesiologist
Dr. # 15 - The Cath Man

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Saturday, November 13, 2010

If you don't have anything nice to say.......


So B and I are quickly approaching the 4 week mark at our latest residence 5 south. It would be an understatement saying that this rodeo is getting old and fast. It is hard to believe that when we came here almost 4 weeks ago, we both only thought that we would be here a few days, boy were we wrong. The reason I haven't blogged in so long is because I don't have anything good to report. You all know what your moms say when you don't have anything good to say.......if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Well that was the philosophy that I have been following, but I thought that everyone might be a bit curious as to what is going on, so here is a quick update.

I guess I wish that I had more to update, but at this point not much has changed. B is continually in constant pain. Even with the addition of the interthecal catheter, not much has been accomplished in terms of putting the pain to bed, so to speak. B is still on IV Ketamine, a new drug, Sufentayl, Prialt in the pain pump, Valium, and IV Methadone and nothing seems to be helping. The Dr.'s are working tirelessly to get B some relief but they are still missing the mark. For much of the day B is sleeping, which is good since he is behind on almost 10 months of sleep, however during his waking hours, 2-3 hours per day, he is in terrible pain, and it is very difficult to quiet him down. It seems the only thing that takes his mind off the pain is massages. There are some days when he is getting more than just one massage, and even that is not enough.

We are even looking to alternative options at this point. I have reached out to an internal medicine Dr. who specializes in acupuncture. I guess you could say we are desperate, more than desperate. And to be honest I am not sure what we are doing here in the hospital. It doesn't seem like we are gaining any ground so why not let us go home. I am sure we could arrange for the delivery of a hospital bed, and an at home RN to manage the IV pain meds, so why not put that option on the table? For a while there I wasn't' sure that B really wanted to go home, but as of late he is expressing some interested in getting the hell out of here too. Enough is enough, and I will be damned if we spend Thanksgiving here. I mean it, it will break my spirit. I can't handle it, just can't!

B also has had two rounds of chemo since our stay here. Chemo is currently in full swing. The new chemo is every week and B seems to be tolerating this new treatment well. So far he has not experienced any significant side effects so that is a positive. This chemo is directed to treat upper GI cancer, and Dr. # 4 is hoping for some signs of improvemnt. He hopes that this chemo shrinks some of the newest tumors and helps to prevent any further spread of the disease. Dr. # 4 hopes to complete between 4 and 6 rounds before evaluating any progress. I would suspect that Dr. #4 will rescan B in a month or so. We also have radiation as an additional option, plus a possible one time shot, that is also a form of radiation to help in relieving some of B's pain. However we can't visit radiation until chemo is complete since doing both at the same time could really lower B's blood counts.

I honestly mean it when I say that I have never never never never seen anyone suffer as much as I have seen B suffer. No one can really understand or appreciate the situation unless they are here to see it/live it/breath it. Many people say they understand B's pain, but they don't, they can't because the pain is so intense that many people would not be able to handle it. Nothing that I write in the blog even comes close to descrbing B's pain, plain and simple.

Please don't forget prayers for B, for his pain, and for a cure to his cancer. The hope is still alive and team Muttz will be home soon!

11 comments:

  1. We're thinking and praying for you both everyday. Thank you for the update. We're going through this with you too.

    Love,
    P and M

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  2. Praying that you all get home soon and for a blessed thanksgiving with no pain!

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  3. My prayer for you both and D-bone, is to have some comfort soon. B is the strongest guy I know and you Lindsay are amazing. Needless to say, my bff D-bone is beyond any comprehension of a friend and mom, she is incredible, not too many out there like her. I pray everyday and you are not out of my thoughts ever! Love you, Jan

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  4. Dear Ben and Lindsay, We are forwarding our never ending prayers that are for the both of you, mind, body and soul. I second Jan that Dianne is unlike anyone I have ever had to good fortune to know. I also want to acknowledge all of the support that I know Lindsay's family has provided thoughtout the last year. I knew that they would be special for Lindsay is one of a kind. Love to you, Uncle Steve and Aunt Julie oxox

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  5. Continuing prayers for the both of you and for the Dr.s to find a way to take away the pain.Thinking of you many times through out the day.Hope you make if home for Thanksgiving

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  6. Thank you for the update, Lindsay. I have been wondering how you and Ben are doing, so I appreciate the info. You still have our prayers and I have been asking others to include Ben in their prayers as well. I hope that you will be home for Thanksgiving and I pray that you have new reasons to be thankful!

    Elaine Bertram

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  7. L,B&D,
    If I'm ever in your situation I hope I have people like you in my corner. You give new meaning to word Love. Ben I pray that you can
    get some relief soon. Your an amazing person!
    I have all of you close to my heart, and in my prayers.
    Cousin, Anita Posner

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  8. Man, I don't know what to say. I'm terribly sorry B is going through this. I hate to read about more bad news. But, on a positive, at least he's reacting well to the new chemo. We're all keeping our fingers crossed that this means pain relief is on the horizon. I'm thinking about you two every day. Keep on fighting. You two are amazing.

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  9. We're praying Ben gets some relief soon and that you two will enjoy Thanksgiving at home with your families. Let's hope the acupuncture or some other pain relief method gets the job done.

    Both of you are so damn brave. It blows my mind.

    Keep up the fight. We love you.

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  10. My family and I are keeping you close in our daily thoughts and prayers. Trust in the Lord, He will see you through this!

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  11. I am so terribly sorry for what you've endured. There are people you've never met praying everyday for the two of you!

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