Hi everyone @Former-Member @Former-Member @Bunniekins @Appleblossom @Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51.
Thanks all for your messages of support. Sorry I havent been back with an up date since hubby first went into hospital early last Tuesday morning.
Actually not a lot has changed. Many tests, many different specialists (Oncologist, Endocrinologist, Psychiatrist, Neurologist, and other assorted Doctors of all types) and still no answers as to what caused this sudden and dramatic decline of both his physical and his congitive abilities. In fact he has deteriorated since being admitted to hospital.
He is now bedridden and unable to get out of bed even with support of 2 physios and a nurse. They now need an electronic lifter to get him out of bed and back into bed, and only directly into a shower and back. No walking has been attempted in the past week, even with support. He has also become incontinent with both his bowell and his bladder. He developed a chest infection from lack of mobility. His kidney (he only has one since he had a renal carcinoma removed some 9 years ago) has started to fail and they are trying to keep his fluids up as best as possible. He has stopped eating. Some scans indicate that there has been a good response to the Immunotherapy treatment with the multiple cancers in his lungs having reduced in size. Thats about the only good news unfortunately.
Although CT scans seem to indicate no issues with his brain, they are not conclusive. Ideally they would do an MRI scan, but hubby is claustrophobic and is aware enough to refuse to have one. In the end they did a lumbar puncture to test his cerebral fluid from his spine to test whether there is any cancer cells showing up in his spine and brain stem. If so, it would explain the sudden loss of mobility and the astounding loss of cognitive function. Its possible its just an extreme adverse reaction to the immunotherapy treatment. Its still pretty new and only approved for Stage IV cancer treatment and trials for less advanced stages. Its possible the likely Parkinsons Disease could be playing a factor as well. And also Alcohol Withdrawal. But none of those in themselves would account for his current state.
There are times he just looks at me and doesnt seem to know me. But when I'm not there he is asking for me all the time. He is completely helpless right now. Is it really only just over a month ago since the last time he belted me? There is no way he could do that now. How awful am I for thinking all those horrible thoughts when he hurt me so badly last time. I never meant any of what I thought.
I have been spending almost all day at the hospital for the past 9 days now. From 8am until around 1.30pm, and again from 5pm until 9pm. Only having a break to go home during the rest period that is enforced. So poor Holly has been badly neglected. Thank goodness she's such a calm and accommodating little dog, and well behaved and forgiving. I dont know what I'd do without her at night time. Nights have been difficult, nightmares have returned and I have not been sleeping. Being home on my own is always difficult, and I have the additional worry of hubby in hospital and all the uncertainty surrounding that. Plus when I am at the hospital there are so many questions from teams of doctors and specialists, so many consent forms to sign and approve, so many hours of relentless tedium. But he wants me there and asks for me if I'm not there. Any any medical procedures they ask for me to be there anyway. But its so hard.
A little bit of good news ... my nephew has had some of his more serious charges dropped or reduced and it has allowed him to get bail from jail. With the proviso that he go back to the rehab facility. If he leaves there again, his only option is jail again. After a week in jail (easy time in solitary) he has had a taste of what its like, and is scared of going back. He has stayed there now for 6 days, so fingers crossed he stays for the 3 month duration.
Sherry
