There’s No Place like Home (for the 3rd time!)
We are somewhat settled into new routine with pumps and tubes and IV lines and ports and nutritional packs (TPN) and nurses. We got home Monday and discovered that Mary Beth from my previous Home Care Partners team will be ably assisting us. Mary Beth not only knows her medicine but knows her humor. This will be fun. However we are facing some serious issues. I am not allowed to eat any food but clear liquids until the bowel cleanses itself (if that should really ever occur). In the meantime I ingest this white chalky liquid pumped into my port full of vitamins and stuff. Patrick has to mix it up each night. I am infused at 8 p.m. and disconnected at 4 p.m. each day for a few hours of frolicking. (Frolicking with the colostomy pouch, the Gastric tube and the IV Line …soon to be joining them will be the Chemo line—a very strong chemo line) Frolicking indeed.
My customized (so they say) dietary formula is under the pharmacists’ control. The #1 side effect is diabetes so guess what I have? I might have to begin injecting insulin next week.
We see my oncologist, Dr. Lucas, on Thursday. We’ll learn more about my prognosis. Seems as though the cancer has spread within the abdominal wall (looks like grains of sand on the beach) so there is not much surgery can do other than identify it. If I am a good candidate, then we will use a new formula chemo to attack it. Only a 15% chance of a cure but 35% chance of abatement.
In other news my cousin John, Joanne and their daughter Mary-Anne are here to see me for the weekend and to the Big Crafty (a mini Bele Chere). It is good to spend some good quality time with them. They suffered 3 days without electricity back in Maryland last week when that area got hit with a huge storm.
Marilyn Pruitt Walker has graciously accepted my offer to run the UnChain Buncombe booth at Bele Chere and I am trying to wrap up the grant proposal to Banfield and other foundations soon.
Patrick is a nurse like none other, anticipating my needs before I know I need them and being so gentle and kind. I am so lucky to have him as my husband.
Please let me know how you are doing.
Hi Peggy and Patrick,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the update on your blog. We've been wondering how you're doing and hoping things are going along as well as they can be. You made me laugh with your "frolicking" idea, after you're disconnected from the tube at 4:00 PM. Somehow I had visions of you leading a Conga Line around your house!! Seriously though, what you're going through sounds very tough and I know it takes courage and perserverance to stay positive. You're amazing at that, and I admire you so much for never giving up. Barry and I are spending most of our free time walking the dogs early in the morning while it's still cool and watering the garden to keep the plants I planted this spring alive! But the weatherman says rain is on the way and cooler temps too. Thank goodness. We went to see To Rome With Love, the new Woody Allan movie, at the Fine Arts Cinema on Friday night. Quirky, funny, not a blockbuster but decent "light" entertainment. We had dinner beforehand at the White Duck Taco Shop in the RiverArts district before the movie. Very yummy and creative tacos -- Thai Shrimp, Portabello and Potato, Chicken Hawaiian Pineapple. But probably not as nutritionally good for you as the "drink" Patrick whips up for you!!! Asheville Humane had an "adoption sale" this weekend. All animals were $17.76 to celebrate the July 4th holiday. 103 animals were adopted in 2 days. YEAH!! Speaking of July 4th, I heard on the news that in San Diego there was a computer glitch and all the fireworks went off simultaneously and were over with in less than a minute! Spectacular while it lasted! The city apologized to everyone there and then told them to go home because all the fireworks had been set off in one fell swoop, by mistake of course. Too funny! No other big news from here. We're going to a fund raiser for Asheville Community Theater later this week. It's a storytelling evening. Sounds interesting and different. I'll let you know what we thought of it. In the meantime, please know that I think of you often and am pulling for you, Peggy. Hope things go well this week and as you begin chemo. We'll be hoping for the best possible outcome.
Huge hugs,
Sharon .... and Barry too
Sending positive thoughts for lots of good news for you! I hope the chemo is a good option for you and that it does the trick. Also, hoping for not having to have insulin, but if you do have to have it hope it's not too much of a pain to deal with. And most of all hoping for less pain and more pleasure in life-- and good frolicking for the time you get to do that! Your attitude is wonderful.
ReplyDeletelove, Casey and Julie
Peggy,
ReplyDeleteElaine just updated me on your latest email, etc. We were hoping to see you and Patrick in DC in the fall...but we can wait. You get well and focus on your health. You still have that wonderful sense of humor so that will keep you balanced. I can hear the laugh now!
Just had lunch with Karla Taylor recently and she asked about your and said how much she enjoyed working with you at science teachers...small world all around.
I'm thinking of you and sending you good karma. So glad you have Nurse Patrick to take care of you.
Love, Debbie