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The Kitchen Table
patti43

Health Update

13 years ago

I'm beginning to sound like an old record, but wanted to update you. Harry was in the hospital from Sept. 13-20th. I picked him up Friday afternoon and had to take him back Monday afternoon. His right arm is swollen about three times the size it should be and is pinkish-red. The re-admitted him and when I left, they were taking him for blood work, CT scan, Doppler and another x-ray.

The lump in his neck is cancer, but they suspect it is coming from someplace else, possibly the "chest", which I think means lungs. They have decided that, with all his other medical problems, his body wouldn't be able to withstand any chemo. They will be taking him via ambulance to No. Florida Regional for radiation treatments. Forgot to ask how often. I was told this was mainly for comfort care to relieve pain. But that will not stop the cancer from growing. Next week they will consider him for the palliative care unit. He will get the type of care he needs there. We talk at least three times a day and he is aware of his condition. His mind is a little fuzzy--okay--really fuzzy sometimes. I think it's when they give him pain meds. He has a P.A. who has been keeping me honestly informed since he's been in. I truly appreciate her.

I haven't been able to go over. It's not the 100 mile round trip, it's the long, long walk to get to his room. I think I will take his walker and try it Monday or Wednesday. Tuesday I have my last Oncology appt. and get my picc line out. Other than terrible burns on my neck that hurt like heck, I'm getting better every day.

I had my house cleaned Thursday afternoon. I also called a hauling company and had them come clean out the garage. It was beyond a hoarder's garage, but Harry will never miss what's gone! Now I need to get rid of the golf cart that's been sitting in the middle of the garage with a flat tire for about 4 years!!

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. They are so appreciated.

Comments (44)

  • 13 years ago

    Been thinking about both of you.

    Thanks for sharing the update.

    You are going thru a lot. KT prayers and hugs are right there with you.

    Love,
    Glenda

  • 13 years ago

    You deserve a lot of credit, Patti. That's a lot to deal with, and you're clearly on top of it all. So glad to hear you're getting better every day. Sending hugs.

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  • 13 years ago

    I'm praying for you and Harry, you sound like you're able to cope with all of this. I'm happy that you're feeling better each day and sad that Harry has to go through this. Keep up your strength and don't overdo. I admire your grit.

  • 13 years ago

    Thinking of you and Harry. I wish I lived near you so you wouldn't have to worry about the drive to the hospital. As far as walking to the room I am wondering if you might be able to rent one of the scooters (not the ones you sit on which are battery operated) that are used for people who have had foot surgery. My sister used one and loved it. She could zoom around easily. You use one foot on the ground like a regular kids scooter and you rest you other knee on a padded seat. It is very easy to move and navigate. Please know you are in my thoughts. Satine

  • 13 years ago

    Prayers for you, your lives sound so much like my late husband and yours, he was ill off and on with cancer for 14 years and I had two bouts in-between, when I look back I don't know how we coped as well as we did. One does what one can and soldiers, hope you have family near by to comfort you.God bless and care for you.

  • 13 years ago

    (((HUGS))) to you Patti and Harry~~sending you good thoughts , Peace and Love

    Jackie

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, I'm so sorry you are going through this. Congrats on getting your garage mess emptied and your house cleaned-it must be a burden lifted. I am sending prayers and healing thoughts to you and Harry.

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, what a "full plate" you have. I hope you have friends and family to support your efforts to get through this difficult time. Holding you close in my heart as you carry on.

  • 13 years ago

    Ah, so sorry to hear this, Patti. Hard times.

    Is there a point to delaying the palliative care placement with these tests and treatments? Does Harry want them? Could he be in palliative care nearer to your home?

    Wherever he is, call the hospital and tell them you need an attendant to meet your car at the valet stand with a wheelchair to get you to Harry's side.

    Do you have any support nearby -- for YOU? I'm sure there are people eager to help with transporting you to and from the hospital, but you have to ASK.

  • 13 years ago

    Sorry there is not better news about Harry. Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there Patti!

  • 13 years ago

    It's good to hear from you, patti. I wonder often during the days how the both of you are doing. I still pray for you daily. God bless the PA who is keeping you updated, etc. Has your appetite and ability to eat improved?

    Shirley

  • 13 years ago

    Dear Patti, So much for you to cope with .If you truly think you could do the drive, perhaps the hospital can wheel chair you from car to Harry's room. Even in our little hospital, there is a lot of walking. Here every patient has some kind of case manager and or social services contact. What about contacting them for help figuring out how you can visit Harry. Also, would you be able to spend a night in a nearby motel, or Ronald McDonald house so you would not have to make the roundtrip in one day? Prayers for you both.

  • 13 years ago

    oh Patti I am so sorry you are having to bear this burden. When I hear what you and Harry are going through it makes all the other problems around me seem very small.
    I have you both in the prayer box.
    Stay safe and take care of YOU.

    When you go into the hospital if you go to the desk and ask for a wheelchair they will bring one out to you and if you ask they can take you up to where you need to go. Many have wheel chairs at the door for you to use should you need to. Don't strain your self!

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, I'm so sorry. Harry is such a nice man I hate for him to be in this condition and so far away. Surely someone at the hospital can help you with wheelchair access to his room. Call his advocate.

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, I am so sorry that you are going through all of this....you're in my thoughts every day.

  • 13 years ago

    Caring thoughts going out to you and to Harry......it seems like such a large load.

  • 13 years ago

    I admire how you are dealing with all this Patti. And your progress is amazing.

    What a hard road for you and Harry. Keeping you in my special thoughts.

    Yes, please check on wheelchair assistance so you can visit Harry.

    Hugs.

  • 13 years ago

    May God bless and keep you and Harry.

  • 13 years ago

    Thanks so much for the update. I am deeply sorry to hear about the health issues you and your husband undergoing. Stay strong and know that many of us at KT are including you and yours in our prayers.

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, I normally lurk but I would like to suggest that you look into "hospital hospitality houses" that may be in the area of your husband's hospital. If there are any that serve that hospital social workers or nurses should be able to tell you . I volunteer at one in my hometown here in central NY, and I know they are a godsend to our guests. They are like a ronald mcdonald house, except they accept adult patients and the adult patient caregivers who need a place to stay while visiting or receiving treatments. Ronald Mcdonald houses are, I believe, for families with young children.

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, sorry to read this about Harry.

    When you get to the entrance of the hospital, as if they have a wheelchair and a candy stripper to push you to the room and one for leaving. Many have this service.

    Best to both of you.

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, I've been thinking about you and Harry daily. Glad to get the up date even though the news about Harry is not good. Just wanted to know what's going on. If you're anything like me, you hate to ask favors of anyone but please keep this in mind, your friends want to be there for you. They want to help in any way possible. I'm sure they would welcome the opportunity to drive you or at the very least, keep you company on your drive to visit Harry and I'm sure you can make arrangements for a wheelchair for you once you get there. But, you have to ask. I'm sending prayers for you both. ((((((Patti and Harry))))

  • 13 years ago

    Sending good thoughts to both of you. (((Hugs)))

  • 13 years ago

    I am sending prayers out to you both Patti. Think of you often.

    Sue

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, I am sorry you are dealing with so much. Wish I could help in some way. Hugs to you!

  • 13 years ago

    Thinking of you, Patti. Please take care of yourself.

  • 13 years ago

    ((((Patti)))) Do you have family or a friend who can go with you to the hospital and then borrow a wheelchair to make it to his room? Our patients' families use ours all the time. We have a long walk to the parking garage too.

  • 13 years ago

    Oh Patti, I am truly sorry to read this news. You have my prayers for strength and healing and comfort for Harry. You have such a full plate that my heart breaks for you. Isn't there someone who can go with you to visit him in the hospital? All American Legion places have handicap things to use so I am sure you can get a folding wheelchair and someone will surely help you get from your car into the hospital then get a volunteer to take you to the room...Ask if you can stay in his room overnight...most will furnish a cot or else a recliner. As others suggested....if you can afford it, go to a motel at night...you need a good night's sleep and a hot shower....you can not afford to get down also.

    I spent 8 days with my DH before he passed. We also lived 120 miles round trip away from the hospital. I think hospitals as a whole ar accommodating for those who are so sick. Do not be too proud to ask for help.

  • 13 years ago

    (((Patti)))) Good thoughts for you and Harry.

  • 13 years ago

    Continuing prayers for you both.

  • 13 years ago

    patti the radiation dr wrote me a script for a special cream...what I did was mix it with a little Neosporin (the numbing kind) and seemed to relieve the discomfort...check with yours....they often forget if they're swamped....
    do look into the suggestions the ladies gave for staying close by....gentle hugs...

  • 13 years ago

    Awe man..that is a lot for one/two to digest and deal with. Well I hope You and Harry get that time together!

    I am happy to hear that your health is getting stronger.

  • 13 years ago

    Aww Patti-Happy to hear the you are improving-but so sad to hear about Harry and your dilemma-healing prayers for you both and super long distance hugs to you......

  • 13 years ago

    Good thoughts go out to you, Patti, and good wishes for your hubby. You have a lot on your plate.

  • 13 years ago

    My God, it doesn't rain, but it pours. My heart is breaking for you dear Patti.

    You are such a strong, very positive woman and you overcame your obstacle with grace and determination. Now your thoughts and fears and deep sadness are with Harry. You have a huge load to bear, and you have to make sure to take care of yourself, too.

    Can your daughter come stay with you for a while?

    ((((((Patti and Harry))))))

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, you've got a boat-load of stuff to deal with, you must be an incredibly strong woman to handle all this at once.

    Big hugs, honey and best of thoughts for you and Harry.

  • 13 years ago

    Lots of good advice here, so I'll just say that you and Harry are at the top of my prayer list. I'm so sorry you're having to endure these struggles.

  • 13 years ago

    Oh my, patti. I am so sorry to see that there are so many problems affecting your life now. You are certainly in my thoughts. and prayers.

  • 13 years ago

    Sending you both good thoughts Patti, you have so much on your plate. Hugs

  • 13 years ago

    Keeping both of you in my prayers.

  • 13 years ago

    Sending hugs and prayers for both you and dh.

  • 13 years ago

    Wow Patti,you certainly have a full plate!! Praying that you and Harry get thru all this.Sending you mega prayers and good thoughts.
    ((((((((((((((((((((Patti))))))))))))))))))
    Kathi

  • 13 years ago

    Patti, my heart goes out to you and Harry. I wish you strength and many prayers to help you to get through this. Bless you and Harry.

  • 13 years ago

    You are enduring quite a load!!

    Maybe, consider fixing the flat tire on the golf cart if that is all that ails it. You might want to use it. I understand that golf carts are popular in Florida for running errands.

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