It was last Friday, very early in the morning (1:15am) and it was my fourth day in the hospital. I obviously could not sleep. Though the staff on the Oncology/Hematology floor was great, the constant blood drawls and vital sign checks were driving me crazy and making sleep nearly impossible. I needed to be home.
Earlier in the week I had a stent placed in each kidney in order to deal with blockage and allow urine to drain from my body. I had experienced acute kidney injury. It was dangerous and a very scary experience for me, as well as the family. After the kidneys were drained, the surgeon attached tubes to my kidneys and put 2 holes in my back to allow the tubes to come through and attach to bags to capture urine. The good news is that it appears my kidneys are recovering and the marker for kidney function is back in the normal range. We met with Dr. Van yesterday and he was pleased with my progress. We scheduled an appointment for an outpatient surgical procedure on Thursday to have the tubes internalized so that they will allow the urine to flow from my kidneys directly to my bladder, which will allow me to urinate normally. We are relieved that the bags are just temporary. The blockage due to cancerous tumors will not allow normal drainage. The tubes will have to be replaced every 3 to 4 months, which will also be done on an outpatient basis.
After being released and returning home on Friday, the worst part has been getting the pain under control. By Sunday at noon the dosages of both Oxycontin and Oxycodone were not keeping up. My pain and discomfort was increasing. Mary made a phone call to the doctor's after hours number. The doses of my pain meds were immediately doubled and Prednisone was added. After a few painful hours, I felt much better. I even ate a rather larger dinner (for my standards) Sunday evening. I told Mary I enjoyed the meal more than I have in the last three months. Another positive note to report is that I have gained a little weight over the last week.
What lies ahead for the cancer treatment is another unknown. We have our monthly appointment with Dr. V on Monday (April 23rd) and will discuss treatment options and start to make a game plan.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and sending us so much positive energy.
15 comments:
Hey David, God bless you man! You are in my prayers. I pray for your speedy recovery and NO PAIN.
Fight the fight. Never give up.
k
HI David,
I am happy to hear that you are home....there is something to be said about "Being home" :)
Terence understands the nephrostomy procedures- he went into acute renal failure 8 weeks ago and had his left kidney by-passed, and again 2 weeks ago and as a matter of fact, I am writing from the hospital now- he is having the by-pass replaced (it pulled away from his kidney). His are permanent nephrostomy bags- no stents can be inserted because the cancer has invaded his bladder, so we are both very happy to hear that you can have stents inserted!! AMEN to that.
Meanwhile dear friend, we are praying for you and continuing to pray that you would have a quick recovery and are up and at'em in no time :)
Take care,
Sherry & Terence
Keep up the fight, my brother!
Keep fighting David !!! ;)
David, all of us here are thinking about and praying for you!
God Bless!
Robert Jr., Christy, Robert III, and Emily.
Dave, So much admiration for sharing your updates in spite of your pain. Bravery and beyond. In my thoughts and prayers. You give and we all receive from you. God Bless.
Continued prayers ...
Thinking about you bro!!! Can't wait to hang with you and the fam next month.
The XL184 seems to have done wonders for the bone METS. Did you always have tumors near the kidneys or did this show-up while on XL184? Thank-you for all of your posts. Your positive attitude and faith have lifted my spirits the last year while I fight this horrible disease as well. Taking the time to do this is a true act of heroism.
David, thinking of you tonight. Hoping you are eating well, getting enough sleep and are pain free.
God bless you and your wonderful family,
Your Florida Friends,
Susan and Don
Hey,
My dad still works everyday and the pain had started to make that very hard for him. He finally went to hospital to get the pain under control. He went from dilauded (pills) to fentynal(patch) to 12 hour morphine tablets. The morphine seems to be working and he goes back to work tomorrow. Keep up the good fight--you are always in my thoughts.
David it's tough to read about your trouble with such a basic function. Why can't the crummy cancer just hang out on something less critical or better yet just get outa Dodge!!!
I'm glad the situation is identified and a plan in place. Take care David.
David, God bless you during this time. God has a plan for you and I believe you are indeed making Him very proud. I continue to pray for you and your total recovery. May God lay His hands on you and may we all witness a miracle. Hang in there and keep fighting the fight.
My prayers this day are for you and your family, David. You are an amazing man.
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