Howdy Everyone
Just checking in. We're still alive and hanging on. I get a chance to read some posts from time to time here but don't have much time to hang around. I hope you guys are doing well these days.
I'm still caring for June 24/7 in her battle with this terrible disease. No human being or animal no matter how bad they've been in their life should ever have to go through this torture except for the people in government that passed the new opioid laws. I hope they live to regret it when it happens to them someday.
The chemo seems to be working because from what we read the majority of people with Stage 4 cancer die with in 8 months of it being diagnosed. It's been over a year now that the doctors thought June's pain was from arthritis instead of cancer. It wasn't until after she had the shoulder replacement and a trip back to the hospital with the pain out of the world did they discover it was that dreaded disease which was over 9 months ago. The last scan she had several months ago showed the tumor in her lung has shrunk some. She has not had to take any cough medicine for the past 2 months so that's a good sign. Her tail bone is giving her fits at this time and having to lay on it makes it even worse. Due to her spine/neck and shoulder surgery she has to lie on her back.
We have a palliative care group of doctors that's prescribing the pain medicine these days that are able to prescribe more pain meds than the regular doctors which has been a god send. I give her enough to keep her fairly comfortable without turning her into a zombie. I've got her an appointment with the Pain Consultants of Atlanta tomorrow to see if there is anyway to block the nerves to her tail bone. I've read about several procedures they have that can do that. If they could do that she could probably cut out a lot of her pain meds.
The pain has been off the chart at times. The lung cancer has spread to nearly every bone in her body. We've been back in the hospital 4 times since the spine surgery in October and all the nurses in the cancer wards have said bone cancer is the most painful of all. It has to be because I don't see how anyone could withstand any worse pain. They ask her what her pain level is from one to ten at the doctors offices. I tell them that her 5 would be someone else's 10 because she spent 6 months last year without any pain meds being prescribed by the doctors except for Tylenol 4.
After about a couple of months of that BS with the doctors last year not prescribing any pain medicine I contacted my family in Knoxville and my sister and elderly Mom cleaned out their medicine cabinets of old pain meds. Then they contacted all their friends and neighbors and my sister became a drug mule bringing pain meds to us because the doctors wouldn't help June due to the new opioid laws.
Speaking of zombies I've become one of them. I've still not slept in a bed since last October. I sleep when I can in my recliner next to June's bed that I have sit up here in the living room. June is still fighting and there has been 2 occasions where she was ready to throw in the towel and go to hospice care but somehow she has hung on and is determined to fight on for as long as she can.
Well that's about enough of my complaining. I just hope you all never have to go through this or anyone that you love.
Take care and you all be careful out there.
Comments
I am glad things are a little better. I have a brother in almost the same boat. Drs act like they don't give 2 craps about the pain part(I say act, but they REALLY don't care). I never would have thought they would withhold pain meds from someone in a battle for their life, but they DO! Side note, if she can stand it.....mary jane helps a lot. Won't stop the pain, but can provide much needed rest! My prayers are with you and your wife, C is hard on EVERYONE. I know what you are going thru too.
God bless you and your wife!
God Bless your wife and you. You are in my prayers.
so sorry to hear, it is one of the few jobs that the helper suffers almost as bad as the patient, prayers to you both.
There is a special area of Heaven for those who selflessly care for a loved one. Prayers sent.
Thanks for taking the time to share and update us. Keep on, daily. Prayers continue for you both.
Greg,
Hard to read of Junes suffering and you as well, God bless you both and I pray for relief from any suffering, She must be one hell of a strong woman, let her know she is an inspiration.
Prayers lifted.
Thanks for the update.
thank you for checking in
I think of you and June often and of course in my prayers
Thanks for the update...and take care...
Combat Vet VN
D.A.V Life Member
God I feel for you and Junes suffering, prayers for you both.
Best wishes for all
Prayers and please if you need anything in Atlanta. A meal, a bed, or an ear , hug Gas... etc just call me 770-856-5684. Ros
prayers
Watched what bone cancer did to my father. She must be some kind of special lady.
I said a prayer for both of you.
Scott
Today June was feeling well enough to get out of the house for a few minutes for a ride in her wheelchair and a short walk out the driveway to the mailbox.
I try to get her out of the house for a few minutes each day when she's not hurting to bad.
Thanks again for all the well wishes and prayers. You folks have been very thoughtful and caring during this nightmare of ours and we really do appreciate
Hang in there Smitty! we are all pulling for you!
At a loss for words Smitty, I couldn't imagine what it's like for you and your bride. Prayers sent for both of you.
You are one hell of a guy Smitty. I don't imagine many people could live up to all that you are doing.
May God bless June, as well as yourself sir. My prayers are with you folks.
You are a tough soldier to take on everything and handle it as well as you are. Being in pain is something I wouldn't wish on anyone, but watching someone you love deal with it is something unimaginable.
Everyone goes on and on about how TCH is a miracle to people in pain, especially with cancer. I'd try that route if you haven't already. Its not legal here, but people swear you can buy it from any vape shop around here....I'm sure its available if you wanted to try that.
I wish there was something I could do or say to make things better.