Prayers request

**Violet** · 30th July 12, 06:09 AM

It's heartwarming... no, this is July... it's delightfully refreshing for this new member to read about the true caring shown here. Virtual hug to every one of you. And my best to Dad, too.

**EagleJCS** · 16th August 12, 11:39 PM

OK. Latest update.

Since Dad had to postpone starting chemo (BTW, he's doing chemo, if I didn't share that before) due to our loss last week, he's starting chemo next week. 12 sessions over the course of 16 weeks or so (3 weeks on, 1 off, etc.).

The oncologist said this week that the latest PET test showed some shadows on his lungs, but thinks they're just scar tissue from the surgery back in June.

Dad's also got some osteoporosis, so he's going on meds and supplements for that as well.

Physically, he's doing a little better. Able to stand on his own, but hesitant to take steps with the walker since he can't move the walker with his left hand/arm. He's also got some swelling in his left side extremities that make flexing the joints (ankle and wrist in particular) difficult.

Thanks all for now.

Thanks in advance for your continued support and well-wishes.

**Pleater** · 17th August 12, 03:23 AM

I saw someone with what was perhaps a similar problem, using a walker with wheels on the front but obviously limited use of their hands.

They had a strap over their shoulders, fixed so that when they straightened up the back of the walker was lifted, but a slight stoop put the legs back on the ground.

They were not going fast, they were probably not going very far and it didn't look easy - but they were determined to be going, that much was obvious.

Maybe something like that could help your father be more mobile - from what I have heard even a minimal amount of movement can make a huge difference to both physical and mental well-being.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**EagleJCS** · 5th January 13, 09:00 PM

Here's the latest since August...

The good news...
Dad's been through his one scheduled round of chemo - it ended in the last week of November. Had at CAT scan done just before Christmas. Last week, found out the CAT scan was clear - no cancer evident. YAY! Thank Heaven for that much.

He's also moving better and gaining confidence in his ability to stand and take a few steps with the aid of a cane (four-footed). I tink he's trying to get away from using the walker. Still has very little stamina and the lingering numbness/tingling on his left side.

Now for the bad news...

Dad's left leg (the side affected by his stroke), has been swelling off and on - mostly on - and a doppler ultrasound of his leg revealed it has several clots. The doctor has him on cumadin to start working on that. Hopefully a clot doesn't break loose and go somewhere that'll do more damage (or worse). He's supposed to sit most of the time with his feet up to alleviate the swelling, but more often than not he stays in the wheelchair he's been using.

He's also got an aortic aneurism somewhere in his torso below his heart. From what I've been told, it's currently rated a "4.2". It needs to be a "4.5" before they'll do anything surgically.

He's also been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Aaand, he's still got an enlarged prostate.

In addition to all that, I think he's severly depressed by his illness(es), his forced retirement (due to his illnesses) and my brother's recent death. Of course, he won't admit to it, and definitely wouldn't see a therapist ("I'm not crazy, I don't need to see a psychologist!"). If it hadn't been for his job requiring him to have the x-rays - which revealed the potential lung cancer last spring - he wouldn't have gone to see any doctor at all, so getting him to even discuss counseling is like trying to push a cotton thread uphill and against the wind.

According to Mom, he sits in the wheelchair and checks Facebook or does some other web surfing throughout the day, either on his laptop set up in his 'bedroom' (formerly known as the living room) or on his Kindle at the breakfast table.

Sooo, a little better in some respects than he was a few months ago, but still not entirely out of the woods.

Many thanks to all for all your well-wishes and continued support. And thanks for letting me vent a little here.

**KiltedDixon** · 6th January 13, 10:44 AM

Still a long ways to go...but, the chemo in the rearview mirror is a good thing. Continued prayers.

**EagleJCS** · 31st January 13, 02:26 AM

Dad had a stent put in his abdominal aneurism yesterday. (Also known as a 'AAA' procedure.) Per the surgeon, everything went very well. Last I heard (about 1645 hrs), he was due to be in the ICU for about 6 hours, then transferred to a regular room for the night. The doc said he could probably go home 'tomorrow' (which is today, as of the time I write this).

Hopefully, this will increase the blood flow to his left leg, allowing the clots to clear and helping the nerves to regenerate/reconnect.

Mom said he's actually been eating more and trying to get up and move more in recent weeks, so maybe he's getting out of his 'funk'.

Thanks, all.