We're back home again...
The nightmare continues. Miss June was released from the hospital yesterday after another 7 day stay. This time it was due to internal bleeding in her abdomen and pneumonia. They think the coughing from her pneumonia caused a blood vessel to break. I have to give her 2 blood thinner shots in the lower abdomen everyday so her blood is as thin as water so it don't take much of a leak to cause a lot of problem. We went through a similar episode back in January when she had a leak in her upper left thigh that caused her whole leg to turn black and blue. They gave her 3 blood transfusions back then for the blood loss but this time they can't give her a transfusion unless her hemoglobin level fell below 7.0 due to the national shortage of blood. After the last hemoglobin test yesterday her hemoglobin level has risen some to 7.9 from 7.2 the day before. They also did another CT scan to check for leaks and said none was detected. So she's at least feeling better in the abdomen area since the swelling has gone down that was causing pain from the pressure.
Oh well just another hoop the Lord has us jumping through it would appear. This is the 7th time we been back in the hospital since last September due to June's stage 4 lung and spine/bone cancer. The 2 strokes she had during spine surgery last Oct. is the reason she has to take the blood thinner she is on plus she still has some type of filter in her abdomen to catch any blood clots from her legs.
We did get some good news after her last CT scan of her lung. The tumor in her lung has now shrunk to the size of a 2 cm spot. We don't know what the chemo is doing for the cancer in the bones but at least the tumor is about gone. The doctor said this new drug she is on has 80% of stage 4 lung cancer patients that's taking the drug living an additional 3 to 5 years. So far she's already lived longer than she was expected to. June said if the pain continues to get worse she don't want to live any longer though. But it is getting better. As I type this she is sleeping in her hospital bed in our living room and she has slept since midnight last night without waking up to take any pain meds. She'll probably wake up really hurting in a few minutes but this is something she's never done since this nightmare started back last March is to sleep around the clock. She needs the rest after this last hospital stay. You can't rest in a hospital they wake you up all night long taking blood or checking vital signs etc.
The other good news this time was I was able to stay in the room with her 24 hours a day since they lifted the restricted visiting hours. The last 6 times she was in the hospital I could only stay part of the day. At one time it was for only 1 hour a day and it stressed her out being alone that long. I carry my phone every where I go in our house cause if she wakes up and I'm not at her side she panics sometimes. The drugs work for pain but they also cause her to have panic attacks at times when she gets scared.
I keep telling June that there are people that have beaten stage 4 cancer before and we need to keep fighting. I try to keep any negative thoughts out of her head. I don't know if I could go through the pain she has gone through.
Comments
Prayers continue for you both Smitty.
👏 ✝️
"Never do wrong to make a friend----or to keep one".....Robert E. Lee
Prayers sent for you two and all of your loved ones.
Prayers sent, Smitty. I think of you guys often. Fight!
Prayers continue.
Smitty you guys have had a tough time and I pray for you.....stick with the course and stay positive. It will help June to know that you are with her during all of this, of course.
Stay strong brother.
Prayers sent for June and you.
Prayers said!
If you can't feel the music; it's only pink noise!
Go you both are home and will keep you in our prayers.
Thanks for the update. Prayers continue.
I've spent the last 11 months with her 24 hours a day except when I go to the pharmacy to pick up her medicine. I have groceries delivered by Walmart and other stuff online. The time we have together is not time that can be cherished. It's terrible, she is in constant pain except when she is loaded with pain meds and falls asleep from exhaustion. She cannot go or do anything for herself.
She is on chemo everyday and it's terrible! It's made most of her hair fall out, it's made her skin so thin it tears at the slightest bump, it's made her finger and toe nails turn yellow and she is nauseated 24/7. She cries when she looks in a mirror.
Constipation is an on going problem with drugs also and it's terrible what has to be done when it's really bad. Laxatives will not touch it. It has to be done manually. The nurses had never done it at the hospital so I demonstrated how to do it as 4 of them gathered to watch. It's so painful for her I can't describe it. Let me assure you it's not time that will ever be cherished!
She can walk but she will fall if I'm not holding her. If I'm not beside her bed when she wakes up she has a panic attack. I don't go to bed I sleep when I can in a recliner beside her bed. She has cancer in her spine, pelvis, leg bones and one lung. Unless you've ever seen someone with bone cancer you can't imagine the pain. The doctor and all the nurses have told me it's the most painful of all.
She could be without most pain if she went into hospice care but then they would discontinue chemo which would mean giving up and even though she has considered it she refuses to give up. At the hospital the other night she ask me how tall the building was when the pain was really bad. I told her I would jump with her but it's only tall enough to probably break a few bones and we'd both be back in the hospital worse than we are now.
Prayers continue
You're a very good man. Best wishes & prayers for both of you.
I think that your wife has a very special husband. I'm so sorry for the pain both of you are in. Prayers sent.
As always prayers continue from our neck of the woods
You and Jan are in my daily prayers Smitty. God bless and keep you both.
Our thought and prayers are with you and your wife Smitty.
We really do appreciate all the well wishes and prayers as always.
I read all the post to June and knowing that so many people that she's never met in person are praying for her and wishing her well lifts her spirit.
Thoughts and prayers Smitty. You are a strong man, hoping our collective here helps you!
+10!!!
Combat Vet VN
D.A.V Life Member
Prayers sent. Stay positive my friend.
Your strength is very admirable.
I pray that you both are granted a miracle of healing, and will keep you in my prayers.
Greg, my eyes are leaking so much from reading this post.
Your unconditional love for June is a testament to the commitment you have for her.
I have nothing but respect for both of you during this difficult journey, and may Lord willing you both receive your blessings in the end.