Best Laid Plans...

Hi Everyone,

We got really tough news this week. As you know from my last post, this was the week we were going back to Temple to resume the radiation treatments. We went up Monday and Bob had a treatment that afternoon. That night he started having more trouble than usual breathing and had a very restless night. Neither of us slept hardly a wink. The next day we called his radiation oncologist and he agreed with us that Bob should go to the emergency room. We spent most of Tuesday waiting in the emergency room. They took us back quickly, but then we had hours of waiting around while they ran tests and then conferred with other doctors.

Late that afternoon we received word that they had decided to admit him to the hospital so that they could do a broncoscopy the next day. That's where they put a camera down his trachea to see what's going on. The same doctor who has been working with Bob since the beginning of this on his breathing issues did the test, Dr. Dekeratry. He's really a very nice man. The results of the bronscoscopy are that the tumor has grown significantly into Bob's trachea. The way he drew it for me it looks like it takes up about four-fifths of Bob's trachea at one point. That's why he's having so much trouble breathing.

I don't know why this news is so different from the report we received two weeks ago that the tumor had shrunk. This doctor said that this latest info was also confirmed by the very same cat scan. But anyway, knowing this two weeks ago wouldn't have changed anything.

So, the doctor said that the only treatment at this point was to place a stint in Bob's trachea like the one in his esophagus. But it's not a really good option. It's quite a bit more complicated than the other stint. They would have to place him under general anesthesia, which could of course be dangerous. After it was placed there would be more chance for it moving and for several other complications. Plus Bob would have to do some type of breathing treatment four times a day. After hearing that, and seeing that the doctor was not hopeful for it extending his life either, Bob decided against it.

So, at this point Bob has decided to suspend all treatment, no more radiation, or drugs or needles or trips to different cities, or endless doctors' visits. He's completely exhausted. We asked the doctor what we're looking at time wise, and although he can't know for sure of course, his best estimate was weeks.

We came home Thursday, and Hospice has already been to the house to talk with us. Actually they met with us before we even left the hospital. They seem very nice and should be able to help us with our goal of having Bob be able to stay at home and be as comfortable as possible. At this point Bob and I are trying to get all our ducks in a row, speak with our friends and family, and be together.

Bob is having trouble breathing and talking, he's very tired, but he's still able to sit up and play on the computer and eat small meals. We plan to spend a lot of time watching old movies and hanging out together. I am taking some time off work so I will be here most of the time. My aunt Frankie is going to come down and help me when it gets to the point where Bob needs someone here all the time.

I guess that's all for now. I'll try to post more frequent updates now as things change.

Take care everyone,

Carol