It's 4am, so you can guess how tonight is going! Dale's been sleeping in 10 minute increments. His sleep is interrupted by either a dry mouth or the urge to cough. The dry mouth is treatable with ice chips, but the urge to cough just leads to an uncomfortable attempt at squelching the cough. Dale is using his PCA (Patient controlled anesthesia) often. I believe he attempted 14 hits in the last hour! He's squeezing "Sir Coughalot" tightly and trying his best to handle the pain that the coughing brings on. (Sir Coughalot is a rigid backed stuffed teddy bear designed to support Dale's incision area during coughing)
Dale just got a "Bolus" (extra dose) of pain meds to try and offer him some more relief during those coughing spells. Those extra doses are allowed every 3 hours and a blessing!
Dale's vitals remain good. His body seems to be doing well at healing. Time, I'm sure will be the best treatment. He is strong and his body has been through so much over the past few months, I know that easier days are ahead!
As a side note, MD Anderson does an excellent job at treating and curing patients. They do fall very short, when it comes to producing a decent cup of coffee!
Til later,
The "tired" Queen!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
Later on - Day 1
Dale has been up walking 3 times today around the nurses station. He has been up sitting several times and is now on a regular diet.
There has been some assessing of his ability to swallow correctly. The nerve that was "manhandled" during surgery that serves the vocal cord is a small concern. The speech pathologist has seen dad, as have several other doctors. They've all decided that there doesn't appear to be any residual problems from the "manhandling".
Dale is obviously exhausted today. He has some pain during his laps around the nurses station. He incision looks great (about 7-8"). He still has a zillion wires and cords!
Flowers and well wishes are all around the room.
Dale's nephew, Wilbur and his wife visited this afternoon!
I'll stay tonight and am hoping for a quiet and restful evening...(Fat Chance - this is a Hospital!)
There has been some assessing of his ability to swallow correctly. The nerve that was "manhandled" during surgery that serves the vocal cord is a small concern. The speech pathologist has seen dad, as have several other doctors. They've all decided that there doesn't appear to be any residual problems from the "manhandling".
Dale is obviously exhausted today. He has some pain during his laps around the nurses station. He incision looks great (about 7-8"). He still has a zillion wires and cords!
Flowers and well wishes are all around the room.
Dale's nephew, Wilbur and his wife visited this afternoon!
I'll stay tonight and am hoping for a quiet and restful evening...(Fat Chance - this is a Hospital!)
Day 1 in Hospital
We've (Dale and I) had a long night. Nausea and incessant itching are the biggest complaint. Dale got a couple of uninterrupted hours of sleep. Lots of alarms and many visits by hospital staff keep the door open more during the night than closed.
He's up sitting (or should I say sleeping) in a rocking chair right now.
He's a mass of tubes and wires and moving about the room is almost impossible.
The pain medicine team has been by this morning and they are going to get Dale on a 24 hours nausea medication plan. This will hopefully get the nausea under control so he can be allowed to eat/drink.
He's not quite in as good humor as yesterday evening, but luckily pain isn't an issue still!
Thanks for your emailed wishes, Dale rec'd several already! We're taping them up on the wall!
Until later....
He's up sitting (or should I say sleeping) in a rocking chair right now.
He's a mass of tubes and wires and moving about the room is almost impossible.
The pain medicine team has been by this morning and they are going to get Dale on a 24 hours nausea medication plan. This will hopefully get the nausea under control so he can be allowed to eat/drink.
He's not quite in as good humor as yesterday evening, but luckily pain isn't an issue still!
Thanks for your emailed wishes, Dale rec'd several already! We're taping them up on the wall!
Until later....
Thursday, December 27, 2007
He's finally in his room!
Dale is in his hospital room now. Lots of tubes and monitors, but he's in no pain and talking a lot. Giving the nurses a hard time and so very glad to be cancer-free.
He's rec'd several emails via MD Anderson's patient email service. He'll be on ice chips till tomorrow morning. Breathing exercises have been started.
Sort of like Christmas morning here!
He's rec'd several emails via MD Anderson's patient email service. He'll be on ice chips till tomorrow morning. Breathing exercises have been started.
Sort of like Christmas morning here!
Room 720
Dale looks great! Just left the recovery room and he's alert and talking. He's got an oxygen mask on and an IV. All his vitals look good and he claims he's in no pain (Epidural continues)! We're all elated and ready to celebrate the new year - with a clean slate!
Thanks for all you prayers!
MD Anderson has a webpage that allows guests to send a message to patients. I'm including a link here:
https://www2.mdanderson.org/sapp/contact/message.cfm
If you would like to send Dad a message during his hospital stay, please use his "big boy" name (Richard Stover), his MD Anderson patient number #733466 and his birth date of 09/01/1929.
Thanks for all you prayers!
MD Anderson has a webpage that allows guests to send a message to patients. I'm including a link here:
https://www2.mdanderson.org/sapp/contact/message.cfm
If you would like to send Dad a message during his hospital stay, please use his "big boy" name (Richard Stover), his MD Anderson patient number #733466 and his birth date of 09/01/1929.
Surgery COMPLETE!
Dr. Rice met with us a few minutes ago. He explained the small complication of the adhered lung. The pathology report showed no cancer in the margins. GREAT NEWS THERE!
The removal of the lobe was made difficult by the location of a nerve which serves the vocal cords. This may cause Dale to be hoarse for a while.
Dale's vitals are good and he'll be in recovery for a couple of hours and then moved to a regular room.
Dr. Rice will make rounds this evening and we'll know more after we see Dale.
I'll update after we see Dale!
Prayers continue!
The removal of the lobe was made difficult by the location of a nerve which serves the vocal cords. This may cause Dale to be hoarse for a while.
Dale's vitals are good and he'll be in recovery for a couple of hours and then moved to a regular room.
Dr. Rice will make rounds this evening and we'll know more after we see Dale.
I'll update after we see Dale!
Prayers continue!
Noon Update
Dale's surgery is progessing slowly. The left lung is adhered to the chest wall and it's a slow tedious process to remove that adhesion.
Dale's vitals are good.
Next update at 1:30.
No estimate on when the surgery will be complete.
Prayers continue!
Dale's vitals are good.
Next update at 1:30.
No estimate on when the surgery will be complete.
Prayers continue!
10AM Update
Dale has passed the medianstinoscopy test and Dr. Rice has begun the lobectomy.
The lung is adhered to the chest wall and Dr. Rice is unable to remove the lobe using the VATS technic. This will cause a larger incision and increase the recovery time and hospital stay.
We will have another update at noon and I'll update again.
Dr. Rice wanted the OR nurse to assure us that this was not bad news. Just a happening that changes his surgery plan.
Prayers continue!
The lung is adhered to the chest wall and Dr. Rice is unable to remove the lobe using the VATS technic. This will cause a larger incision and increase the recovery time and hospital stay.
We will have another update at noon and I'll update again.
Dr. Rice wanted the OR nurse to assure us that this was not bad news. Just a happening that changes his surgery plan.
Prayers continue!
Surgery Underway!
Dale went back to the operating room at 7am. Surgery will begin at apr. 8am. Our first update will be at 10am.
Dale's first procedure is mediastinoscopy. After the pathology report, the decision will be made to continue.
I'll update after the next report!
Prayers continue!
Dale's first procedure is mediastinoscopy. After the pathology report, the decision will be made to continue.
I'll update after the next report!
Prayers continue!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tomorrow is Cure Day!
Spirits are high and family members are either here or in route. Dale will report at 5:15am and I'll update as I can during the day.
Continued prayers are always appreciated!
Continued prayers are always appreciated!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Survivor Story
I received a wonderful phone call today from a dear, sweet lady named Elizabeth Montgomery. Elizabeth is a volunteer at MD Anderson. She's a cancer survivor. She had stage 1 lung cancer seven years ago. She had the radical surgery with her lower right lobe removed. She required no after care and now returns to MD Anderson for yearly checkups! She discussed the recovery from the surgery and her wonderful experience at MD Anderson. I'm was so excited to hear her story. I called Jackie and told her this news and gave her Elizabeth's phone number so they could talk more. What a great service MD Anderson offers - when it connects new cancer patients to survivors!
I'm not sure anybody out there could have given me a better Christmas gift than the story of hope that Elizabeth gave me today!
Countdown to Cure! 8 days
I'm not sure anybody out there could have given me a better Christmas gift than the story of hope that Elizabeth gave me today!
Countdown to Cure! 8 days
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
All Systems Go!
Dale received a call from Dr. Rice's Physician Assistant. All test done last week were perfect. There wasn't anything lurking in the fluid extracted and Dale passed both the pulmonary and cardiac stress tests.
Friday, Jackie will call for the surgery time on the 27th! Then it's time for ......
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Friday, Jackie will call for the surgery time on the 27th! Then it's time for ......
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Update from MD Anderson
Dale had blood work done this morning at 8am. He's moving very slow today and extremely exhausted from yesterday's testing.
After an hour's wait, we met with an Anesthesiologist, Tayab Andrabi. He was very thorough in documenting past surgeries, medications, previous procedures and other anesthesia related events. His review of Dale's condition was good and he expects a great outcome. He discussed complications and also the procedures.
He reviewed yesterday's Cardiac stress test, which looked normal according to him. He also reviewed the cardiac stress test Dale took in May in Victoria and it was normal also.
He noted and showed us on xray a little "collapse" of dad's left lung near the top. Probably from the biopsy - of no real concern to him. He did see the small amount of fluid that will be tested later.
Jackie will call on Friday, Dec. 21 (3-5pm) for his surgery time.
One other blood test was accidentally left off the mornings order, so we'll stop by the lab for that additional blood draw after the thorocentisis.
Dale just got called back for that procedure 5 minutes ago. It should take 30 minutes.
I'll update later with more info on the meeting with Anesthesiologist..right now, I need a cup of coffee!
UPDATE: Dad's thorocentisis is under conscious sedation. After the 30 minute procedure, he will be in recovery for 45 minutes, so our day has been extended! CRAPPOLA!
The doctor performing this procedure was one hour late and then the ultrasound wasn't strong enough to detect the fluid. So off to CT Dale goes to get a CT scan so the doctor can find the fluid. 100cc's later, Dale is in recovery for one hour. After a chest Xray to verify the lungs handled that procedure - he's released! But no, he still has those two pesky add'l blood tests. Now after 15 hours of no food or drink, he's a tad dehydrated and there's a couple of attempt to get blood samples. Finally at 4pm we are out of the hospital and headed home to a delicious meal cooked by Dennis!
I need a Bacardi 8, Diet Coke and a Lime! Perhaps several!
After an hour's wait, we met with an Anesthesiologist, Tayab Andrabi. He was very thorough in documenting past surgeries, medications, previous procedures and other anesthesia related events. His review of Dale's condition was good and he expects a great outcome. He discussed complications and also the procedures.
He reviewed yesterday's Cardiac stress test, which looked normal according to him. He also reviewed the cardiac stress test Dale took in May in Victoria and it was normal also.
He noted and showed us on xray a little "collapse" of dad's left lung near the top. Probably from the biopsy - of no real concern to him. He did see the small amount of fluid that will be tested later.
Jackie will call on Friday, Dec. 21 (3-5pm) for his surgery time.
One other blood test was accidentally left off the mornings order, so we'll stop by the lab for that additional blood draw after the thorocentisis.
Dale just got called back for that procedure 5 minutes ago. It should take 30 minutes.
I'll update later with more info on the meeting with Anesthesiologist..right now, I need a cup of coffee!
UPDATE: Dad's thorocentisis is under conscious sedation. After the 30 minute procedure, he will be in recovery for 45 minutes, so our day has been extended! CRAPPOLA!
The doctor performing this procedure was one hour late and then the ultrasound wasn't strong enough to detect the fluid. So off to CT Dale goes to get a CT scan so the doctor can find the fluid. 100cc's later, Dale is in recovery for one hour. After a chest Xray to verify the lungs handled that procedure - he's released! But no, he still has those two pesky add'l blood tests. Now after 15 hours of no food or drink, he's a tad dehydrated and there's a couple of attempt to get blood samples. Finally at 4pm we are out of the hospital and headed home to a delicious meal cooked by Dennis!
I need a Bacardi 8, Diet Coke and a Lime! Perhaps several!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tomorrow's Schedule Updated Again!
| Time | Appointments for 12/14/2007 |
| 8:00 AM | BLOOD/SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
| 9:15 AM | ANESTHESIA ASSESSMENT |
| 10:30 AM | CHECKIN - INTERVENTIONAL EXAM |
| 11:00 AM | DRAIN, THORACENTESIS US |
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
MD Anderson called again
Sharon (PA) called again. Dr. Rice wants one more procedure!!!! Waiting to see when interventional radiology can withdraw some of the fluid in the plueral. (Thoracentesis) UGH! Procedure takes 15-20 minutes. I sure hope that can get scheduled while mom and dad are here! Dr. Rice wants to make sure there are no cancer cells in that fluid. Fingers crossed once again! Results from that will take at least 48 hours!
Dad's looking a little rough today. Not sure if it's all the medicines or if it's just so much worry.
Sharon will call in another medication for pain to try and see if that improves. Lots of hard coughing this evening.
Geez!
Dad's looking a little rough today. Not sure if it's all the medicines or if it's just so much worry.
Sharon will call in another medication for pain to try and see if that improves. Lots of hard coughing this evening.
Geez!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Latest PET Scan results :)
I just received a call from Sharon Myers, Dr. Rice's Physician Assistant, who reported that Dale's PET Scan taken last week did not find any additional cancer in his body. The tumor is his left lung measured 3.7cm x 2.8cm. Apparently, the PET scan scores any cancer found with a numerical ranking. Rankings over 3-4 strongly suggest cancer. Dale's tumor scored a 21! Usually, they see rankings up to 30, according to Sharon. Dale's lymph nodes, spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, liver and pancreas were all checked out and showed no abnormalities. A fluid filled cyst was seen in the kidneys (not a cancer concern) and a small amount of fluid was present in the pluerel region, in between lung and chest wall (not a cancer concern either). The fluid did have a numerical ranking of 1.7. Sharon assured me this was nothing to be concerned about and probably was the remnants of Dale's February pneumonia.
I asked Sharon about the rules regarding grandchildren visiting at MD Anderson. They are welcome, but will need to have a check-up (1st floor MD Anderson) to obtain a visitor badge.
Dale's had more discomfort this week and Sharon suggested he increase his pain medicine to three times a day. If that doesn't help, they will prescribe something else.
As Dale told me today, "I can't believe I'm having this much luck!"
I asked Sharon about the rules regarding grandchildren visiting at MD Anderson. They are welcome, but will need to have a check-up (1st floor MD Anderson) to obtain a visitor badge.
Dale's had more discomfort this week and Sharon suggested he increase his pain medicine to three times a day. If that doesn't help, they will prescribe something else.
As Dale told me today, "I can't believe I'm having this much luck!"
Sunday, December 9, 2007
UT MD Anderson is a Research Facility
Dale has consented to participate in three research studies at MD Anderson:
Ecogenetics of Lung Cancer
This study involves an interview with Dale along with bloodwork. Exposures and other environmental factors will be recorded.
Project #2 Genetic Epidemiology, Inherited Predisposition to Lung Cancer
This study will take "brushing" samples from both lungs during the bronchoscopy portion of the surgery and also similar "brushing" samples from both sides of his mouth.
Molecular Approaches to Novel Therapies for Cancer: Research Depository of Normal and Neoplastic Tissues - This study will use the remaining tumor (after pathologist has completed all testing) for research. Blood samples are required also and will be taken during surgery.
Dale always was pro-education!
Ecogenetics of Lung Cancer
This study involves an interview with Dale along with bloodwork. Exposures and other environmental factors will be recorded.
Project #2 Genetic Epidemiology, Inherited Predisposition to Lung Cancer
This study will take "brushing" samples from both lungs during the bronchoscopy portion of the surgery and also similar "brushing" samples from both sides of his mouth.
Molecular Approaches to Novel Therapies for Cancer: Research Depository of Normal and Neoplastic Tissues - This study will use the remaining tumor (after pathologist has completed all testing) for research. Blood samples are required also and will be taken during surgery.
Dale always was pro-education!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Plan
Probably more information than anyone needs or wants...but here's what I know after yesterday's visit with the surgeon.
Dale will have two additional test on Thursday, Dec. 13:
1. Pulmonary Stress test: This test combines a regular stress test with a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels. This test will help determine what Dale's exercise capacity is, related heart or lung problems and determine the need for oxygen while exercising.
2. Radionuclide stress test
He will have a meeting with the anesthesiologist on Friday, Dec. 14.
He will also have his pre-op blood work after meeting with the anesthesiologist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dale has an incentive spirometer to exercise his lungs pre-operatively and during recovery.
Dale's surgery will be Dec. 27th, time TBA.
Dr. Rice will first perform a medianstinoscopy and a fiber optic bronchoscopy.
Pathology reports will be attained immediately and after a clean path report on those lymph nodes, the VATS will proceed. Dale will have the upper lobe of his left lung removed (lobectomy).
Dale will be moved from surgery to a private room in the hospital. He will remain in the hospital for approximately 7 days. He will have two drain tubes in place for 3-4 days. Dale will have either an epidural or PCA for pain during his stay. He will have breathing treatments every 30 minutes during the day and every 2 hours during the night!
Melissa has reserved a hotel room at the Rotary House for the first three nights of Dale's hospital stay.
Dale will be discharged to either my house in Pearland or his house in Victoria depending on his recovery. Follow ups with Dr. Rice will be 4 weeks after surgery and then every 6 months.
Dale will have two additional test on Thursday, Dec. 13:
1. Pulmonary Stress test: This test combines a regular stress test with a pulse oximeter to measure oxygen levels. This test will help determine what Dale's exercise capacity is, related heart or lung problems and determine the need for oxygen while exercising.
2. Radionuclide stress test
He will have a meeting with the anesthesiologist on Friday, Dec. 14.
He will also have his pre-op blood work after meeting with the anesthesiologist.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dale has an incentive spirometer to exercise his lungs pre-operatively and during recovery.
Dale's surgery will be Dec. 27th, time TBA.
Dr. Rice will first perform a medianstinoscopy and a fiber optic bronchoscopy.
Pathology reports will be attained immediately and after a clean path report on those lymph nodes, the VATS will proceed. Dale will have the upper lobe of his left lung removed (lobectomy).
Dale will be moved from surgery to a private room in the hospital. He will remain in the hospital for approximately 7 days. He will have two drain tubes in place for 3-4 days. Dale will have either an epidural or PCA for pain during his stay. He will have breathing treatments every 30 minutes during the day and every 2 hours during the night!
Melissa has reserved a hotel room at the Rotary House for the first three nights of Dale's hospital stay.
Dale will be discharged to either my house in Pearland or his house in Victoria depending on his recovery. Follow ups with Dr. Rice will be 4 weeks after surgery and then every 6 months.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Happy Days are Here Again!
Live, from MD Anderson - this update:
Dale will have VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) of his upper left lung on Dec. 27th. This minimally invasive procedure will remove the tumor and the expectation is that no further treatments will be necessary. (One 3 inch incision and 3-4 small incisions)
Dale is having a PET Scan as I blog. He did not meet with the Radiation Oncologist. He will also have two more tests: Radio Nuclide Stress Test on his heart (not scheduled yet) and a pulmonary stress test (12/13 at 10am). Dale will meet with Anesthesiologist on 12/14 at 9:15am for his pre-op bloodwork, etc.
Dale will be in the hospital for 7 days and will follow up with the surgeon in 4 weeks (post op).
Dale has an apparatus that he is using to exercise his lungs (5 times a day). This apparatus will be used during recovery too.
Dr. Rice expects Dale to lose 20% of lung function as a result of the surgery and that will not inhibit his lifestyle!
Dec. 27th is the first opening on Dr. Rice's calendar!
I'll update more later on today...but let the heavens rejoice for what we heard today!
Dale will have VATS (video assisted thoracic surgery) of his upper left lung on Dec. 27th. This minimally invasive procedure will remove the tumor and the expectation is that no further treatments will be necessary. (One 3 inch incision and 3-4 small incisions)
Dale is having a PET Scan as I blog. He did not meet with the Radiation Oncologist. He will also have two more tests: Radio Nuclide Stress Test on his heart (not scheduled yet) and a pulmonary stress test (12/13 at 10am). Dale will meet with Anesthesiologist on 12/14 at 9:15am for his pre-op bloodwork, etc.
Dale will be in the hospital for 7 days and will follow up with the surgeon in 4 weeks (post op).
Dale has an apparatus that he is using to exercise his lungs (5 times a day). This apparatus will be used during recovery too.
Dr. Rice expects Dale to lose 20% of lung function as a result of the surgery and that will not inhibit his lifestyle!
Dec. 27th is the first opening on Dr. Rice's calendar!
I'll update more later on today...but let the heavens rejoice for what we heard today!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
He has a Heart!
Dale had an echocardiogram today and the test proved he has a heart! We're so thrilled, because last week his Brain MRI confirmed that he also has a brain! WOW! Great news!
Dale also had a Xenon Ventilation procedure today. This test measures how each section of his lung is handling oxygen. Important information when the surgeon makes decisions on what to resect!
Tomorrow we meet with the thoracic surgeon and we are all anxious!
We stopped by the Residence Inn Medical Center to check out that hotel as an option for Jackie while Dale is in the hospital. They were so accommodating and helpful, this will be great if Jackie needs to stay close by the hospital.
More info tomorrow...stay tuned.
Dale also had a Xenon Ventilation procedure today. This test measures how each section of his lung is handling oxygen. Important information when the surgeon makes decisions on what to resect!
Tomorrow we meet with the thoracic surgeon and we are all anxious!
We stopped by the Residence Inn Medical Center to check out that hotel as an option for Jackie while Dale is in the hospital. They were so accommodating and helpful, this will be great if Jackie needs to stay close by the hospital.
More info tomorrow...stay tuned.
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