A quick update for Wednesday. Laura will stay at least another night — which is actually good news.
The GI endoscopy found nothing remarkable, as expected.
But the coordinating doc doesn’t want to let her go, because the headaches aren’t under control, yet. They’re modifying some meds and also taking her off her current narcotic and replacing it with another. Currently she wears a 72-hour slow-release patch (called Fentanyl). It takes about 24 hours for it to leave her system. Meanwhile, since she’s in the hospital with an IV they’ll put her on a morphine drip. This is a great opportunity to figure out what pain medicine she actually needs — if at all! Nobody knows what pain she might have now from her bone mets, and maybe due to radiation and chemo she might now have none. With an IV they can modify the pain medicine quickly and easily. They still have to keep her on some narcotic due to withdrawal issues, but she can be weaned off it over time, if appropriate.
All for now.
(A quick reminder that those of you receiving this blog via email are usually one day behind because the email goes out in the evening and I usually post late at night. But, for example, today you’ll get two because this post is in the middle of the day. Got it?)
At least another day
Wed, Dec 12th, 2007 2:41pm by dkulp
Tags: Uncategorized
6 responses so far ↓
1 Ralph // Dec 12, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Ok, ok, I’m “thinking” about a miracle. No, really, David, Gary and I are PISSED; we can’t understand why bad things happen to good people. Jesus H.––Dick Cheney is thriving! You’re proactive stance in fighting this cancer thing and the medical establishment––the “man” as it were––is heroic. Laura and the girls are extremely lucky to have you in their lives. I wish we could be there to there to visit and annoy Laura with our self-deprecating gay humor. But, as we are working for the man, we can’t just now.
Give her and yourself a big virtual hug from from us. Bye for now.
2 Aunt Cathy // Dec 12, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I echo Ralph’s sentiments. You are an amazing man! I, too, think of you ALL day and night and am in awe of your dedication and Laura’s strong will.
Love,
Aunt Cathy
3 Nicole // Dec 13, 2007 at 9:27 am
Dave, we really appreciate your frequent updates and find comfort knowing as much information as we can. You’re always in our thoughts, John, Nicole, Hannah and James.
4 Janice Everett // Dec 13, 2007 at 10:39 am
David , I’ve been keeping up from the west coast, Randy and I are at his national meetings, and spent a few days in San Francisco too, I remembered a trip there long ago when we met you and Laura for dinner one night while you lived in Santa Cruz. I am relieved in a way to see her hospitalized and getting some attention for the symptoms that seemed to be getting worse at home, at least her multi specialist will see her over several days….sleep for Laura means escape from pain and cancer, depressive thoughts…..I would think her doctors goal is to get her “awake comfortable” so she can have the clear thinking to began her “fight”, be able to look at you and Lily and Naomi everyday and remind her of all her reasons to fight this….that is so tough. I hope these multi specialist get their act together and put a holistic plan together that will get you on that path soon. Doctors, especially several doctors ,are frustrating when they don’t take the time to see what the other doctors are doing. You are doing the right thing by being your own “advocate and coordinator”…someone that is in on the situation 24hrs a day is the only one to do it and Laura is so fortunate that she has you…I know it’s exhausting and frustrating at times. She has so many issues going on that can be causing the headaches from the forced menopause, pain, nausea, steroid, chemo meds and maybe even something as simple as lack of caffeine if she was a coffee or soda drinker prior and isn’t drinking any of that now….so, know that we all are sending prayers and love to you all. Janice
5 Suzy // Dec 13, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Thanks again for all of the updates, David. Give Laura our love and give smooches to Lily and Naomi.
6 Brian Haney // Dec 17, 2007 at 9:04 am
Dave,
You and I have never met–I went to St. Mike’s with Laura, a long LONG time ago.
I am terribly sorry that you guys are going through this, but on the other hand, I am happy that Laura seems to have found such good and caring husband.
In any event, I am praying for Laura’s recovery.
Reading your blog reminds me of the quote from St. Paul: “There are in the end three things that last; faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love”
Love,
Brian Haney