Cycle 1, Day 8 - Update

Sorry for the delay in posting; Blogspot had to do some maintenance...

It has been a long week. This past weekend, Nick was very sick - throwing up, not eating and extremely fatigued and weak. We still aren't sure if it is the trial pills, antibiotics, fentynal patch or cancer. He got better throughout the week, eating very sporadically (strawberries, cantaloupe, etc.)

Thursday was our 10 hour hospital visit. His EKG still indicates an abnormal t-wave; doctors don't consider it a problem, but will keep an eye on it. His blood work indicates a slight elevation in a couple of of areas relating to inflammation. We are consulting with the infectious disease doctor to make sure the staph infection isn't getting any crazy ideas. Good news: the pain in his ribs is gone! Yay! Bad news: he lost 7 lbs in a week. Boo. He is now on a prescription (one that Cheech and Chong would highly approve) to help stimulate his appetite, lower anxiety and control nausea. The prescription bottle states it is used for anorexia - Nick said, "I knew it! That's what I have!"

Nick also got his temporary drain taken out Thursday, in between lab draws. Unfortunately, it was done without ANY pain medication (myriad of reasons) and it was almost more than he could bear. He came back in a wheelchair, all color drained from his gaunt face and he couldn't speak for awhile. I placed my hand on his arm, asked him if he was ok, but all he could do was shake his head, squeeze the top part of his nose to ward off any tears that may sneak out, and place his Penguins hat over his eyes. That was a tough moment for us both.

Good moments, though, happened earlier in the week. He asked if I was going in to work and I said, "No, I'm going to hang out with you, if that's ok." He said, "I'm LOVING it!" Later when I asked him if he was ready for a cup of tea, he said, "only if it is made with extra love..." And one night when I was getting him all settled in bed, he waved me over with both hands and said, "hug..." So we did.

Nick & Kelsey enjoyed spending time with Todd and extended family and our trip to Spokane was pure comfort for me to be with my family and I loved being with Lee & Carly. Nick got me a beautiful figurine of a mother and son as well as a mother's ring (Lee was the co-conspirator) for Mother's Day. Nothing sweeter than those two men in my life! Well, except for my daughters... Speaking of, Kelsey made 2nd team, all region in softball (wahoo!!!!) - high school ball is now officially over for her and she is anxiously waiting for her comp team to start practice soon. Carly is off again next week to St. Louis with her aunt Chris and entourage for a wedding and fun.

That's it for now - no doctors or hospitals until Wednesday and Thursday next week and they are short visits. Til then, here is another picture of Nick - always been a cowboy at heart.

With love,

Lori