Bone Scan, etc.

Hi Again,

I believe that Dad, and Mom too, feel best on the days that there are things to do, like appointments to get to, and when people visit, since it breaks up the monotony. When I was there on Saturday, Maureen called and spoke to both Mom and Dad, and then to me. I know that they both were glad she called. Friday was definitely the worst day, as far as their moods, but today there was some worry, since Dad was up most of the night getting sick. It started just after dinner, and I guess ended at around 4:00am. He said that he thought it was his acid reflux and caused by the chicken he had for dinner, but that has never lasted like this. Usually he says that he throws up once and is good to go.... Also, I could see the doubt and worry in Mom's eyes.

I picked them up at 10 am for his 10:30 body scan appt, and once we got going, they were both better. Dad brought a bucket along in case he got sick, but did not have to use it. For the scan, they injected him with a radioactive isotope, and sent him home, only to return again, at 1:00pm. He was afraid that he would not be able to drink enough of the water required, but was able to choke down around 4 glasses, along with a small amount of milk, and keep it down. We returned to Kaiser at 1pm and he was seen right away. We didn't even make it to the waiting room. The scan lasted for about 40 minutes, and we were home just after 2pm. We were told that the results would be in by Wed or Thurs at the latest.

As I believe all of you know, I was able to move up the radiology oncology appt to 9:00am tomorrow - Monday, so that is next on the agenda. I will pick them up at 7:30am, and Anne is planning on meeting us there, for a second pair of ears. Other than being sick during the night, the only other symptom he seems to have right now is that he still feels a bit numb - his arms and legs. I think this is what he was feeling once he had the pulsation feeling in his arm, and I guess it has continued. He is going around and around in his head about all the cancer stories he has heard, and is hearing about, as is Mom. He was really interested in talking to a neighbor of his, who he knew has cancer. We went and saw her on Friday, and she shared her experience. Mom is just realizing the reality of the stories of Aunt May and Mary O'Donnell, and how there was very little time once they started with their own symptoms that lead to the doctors finding cancer in the brain. But, she is also holding out hope she finds in other stories of people lasting much longer. I think they are both looking forward to tomorrow, and getting started on radiation therapy. Maureen also shared her radiation therapy experience with me. She had it every day for 6 weeks, and felt ok until close to the end. She feels that she was trying to do too much, and it caught up to her. I have read that it can make you tired, and this is what she experienced. So, Dad may or may not experience this, and if he does, it will be important to rest. Maureen was also able to tell me what she used on her skin to protect it as best you can. She used aloe vera - which Dad and I were both told about from the conversation with his neighbor, and "Aquaphor" which is something you can find in the baby section of any drug store, or even grocery store. I found this at Von's yesterday, and have already given it to Dad. I plan on going to Whole Foods for a real good quality of Aloe Vera tonight or tomorrow.

In addition, from a call I got from Raquel, it was suggested that if we get a time frame for Dad, meaning an estimate of time left, we do not tell Dad. This is something I ran by Mom, and she agreed. Maureen said that this is also the choice they made with Aunt May. Whenever Aunt May asked, they were evasive. A "Date" might also be something we choose to not tell Mom as well, or perhaps exaggerate?? Another thought is that if the Oncologist says that other than radiation, they are not recomending any other treatment, Anne and I were wondering if there was some sort of "placebo" that could be offered, so Dad believes he is fighting it. Just a thought. Raquel's mom received chemo for her cancer, and after 2 months Raquel was told they could not continue because her mom's cell counts were not stable enough. Raquel explained to the doctor that her mom gained a lot of hope from these treatments - that she was fighting it, so it was decided that they continue with the appointments, but there was no chemo in the iv! Sounds like a pretty neat story.

I believe John and Ronda are over at Mom and Dad's as I right this, so perhaps they will have more info on their mood, etc. later tonight. I will blog again after tomorrow's appointment.

Pat