Hi,
There hasn't been too much new going on so I haven't updated in a couple of weeks. Basically things are about the same as they were the last time I posted. Bob's vocal cords are apparently still paralyzed because he continues to have trouble talking. I was hoping that the condition would clear up. It still could I think, but of course there is the possibility that it will not at this point since it's been so long.
Bob seems extra tired this week. The chemo sessions this Monday was especially long and tiring. We arrived at 8:45am and didn't leave until 5:15pm. They get longer every week. They tacked an extra hour on about two months ago. They were giving him one of the two chemo medicines over an hour's time, but there was some blood level they were not happy with so they decided to stretch it over two hours which has helped I guess because we haven't heard anything more about it. But in addition to that it just goes longer every time for reasons known and unknown.
This week we had a lot of trouble with the pump that controls the rate at which the stuff goes into Bob. If you don't know what I'm talking about, the pump is the little square machine that hangs off of the rolling IV stand. Just for visual purposes, it's about the size of a small car battery. They seem to be very persnickety and stop working frequently. This is common. But the one this week kept breaking down every 15 minutes. They finally replaced it and then that one did they same thing and then they replaced that one. When they stop working, the machine starts beeping, or dinging really, (it makes a ding, ding, dong noise to be exact, I've heard it enough). And every time that happens the nurses have to come over and fix it. The machine displays a variety of messages, no flow above pump, no flow below pump, air in cassette, fix me before I explode, stuff like that. So anyway, towards the end of the day the nurses were starting to look exasperated with it. I sort of wonder if part of the problem might have been that the IV was not inserted very well that day. Just a hunch. The nurses are all super super nice, but some of them do seem to be better about starting an IV than others.
Anyway, needless to say that all made for a very tiring day, and like I said, extra long. And Bob has been super tired ever since. Of course just getting chemo is very tiring in itself, so possibly it is just a combination of things.
Other than that we were very happy to see our old friend Dave this week. He came up Monday from Brownsville and stayed a couple of days with us. It was great to be able to visit with him and I know Bob appreciated it very much.
That's about all from Castle Tureaud. Later.
Carol
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3 comments:
Thanks for the update. I hope you both have a relaxing "ding" free weekend.
ding ding dong..yep! I remember that sound well! I always hated working with those stinking machines! Next time you may want to suggest they try moving they IV or repositioning Bob's arm. They can do that, but many nurses don't want the hassle. But if the patient or family member requests it they will usually do it.
My thoughts are still with you both!
Hey Carol, I hope yall hang in there. Every time I think about Tai I always remember Bob. I hope things do get better because not being able to talk is a pain at any age. I had forgotten to send you an evite to Tai's party(he is going to be two! Crazy) but I know yall are really busy these days. I will keep yall in my prayers. Hope everything else is well. Miss ya Danette & Tai
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