Hubby needs prayers now

[misothere]

I forgot to mention....I finally got Vic to take Multivitamin & Visiting Nurse at 1st of only 2 visits said that was good.

But - I must ask AGAIN that Vic have blood test to see if he has a genetic disease called "Hemochromotosis" that builds up too much Iron in your body!

His cousin & nephew have it & told him & his siblings to be tested & they never did it.

If you have Hemochromotosis ......you are NOT supposed to take IRON supplements OR more than 500mg Vitamin C supplements (food iron & vitamin C are okay)!

So in my efforts to help him heal from surgery & be strong for Chemo & Radiation soon by giving him Multivitamin's that DO HAVE 100% Iron & 100% Vitamin C (not to mention "Total" Cereal" with lots of Vitamins...........I could be doing EXACTLY THE WRONG THING FOR HIM!

I'll add that to ? list for Oncologist, since she never told us Vic's Pathology Stage is "T4" & whatever #'s & ltrs follow!
Radiologist told us! (Originally Clinal stage was "3").

Other question for Oncologist is to have Vic's Hearing tested BEFORE Chemo begins......since nurse at Chemo nursing education appt. told us side affects could make ringing in the ears (which he needs a base line for........since he's a carpenter with "skill saw" ear).

[june72]

Lisa, just wanted you to know that I am still praying for Vic and you and your whole family!

[misothere]

Thanx as always for your prayers - they are appreciated!

Especially needed now too - 'cuz with all this going on............now dad has to go for consultation this Weds. due to artery blockage & may need surgery!

His other side of neck had 99% coronary artery blockage & he had a heart attack & later had quadruple bypass surgery. Plus his Dr started him on diabetes mediation & made him start taking glucose tests at least twice a day til' follow up appt. in 2 months!

Man......I gotta' get myself healthier in body, mind & spirit to endure the multitude of things happening in my families lives in such a short time.

[june72]

Welp my goodness! Continued prayers!

[misothere]

Good news - dad's Artery was determined to be just scar tissue "NOT" blockage after test results & consultation today! Whewwww - one less stressful thing off my mind!

[katlnhats]

Lisa,
Your Dad, that is some good news and I bet it feels good to get "some" good news - I have the same thing, just not in the same place, way too much scar tissue and it's from surgeries, but not blockages or anything. Still a pain tho, could be worse.
Prayers continuing for YOU and VIC both, as you're as involved as he is. Keep at the Dr's and try to stay as calm as you can. Which is probably easier said than done. I still have an email to answer back to you and haven't been on here enough as I want to write a pretty long one. Will do asap.
Hugs,
Marilyn

[misothere]

I gotta' say one thing........2 yrs ago when Vic had symptoms that should've been tested further for his type of cancer that wasn't found til' now - we just were "SO GLAD" to hear from Dr's it wasn't anything to worry about.

I'm PRAYING that's not the case with dad - he worried about his blockage on other side of neck & I'm just wondering how 2 Drs could interpret the xrays so differently?? Should 2nd. opinion be done, instead of just being so happy?

Also - 'cuz after Vic's cancer treatments he's supposed to follow-up with dad's Cardio-Vascular Surgeon & I just wanna' make sure that surgeon's "good" (especially after Vic will have gone thru' so much before dealing with heart issue)!

[misothere]

1st mtg with Oncologist - She NEVER told us what Stage or Grade Vic's Cancer was after "Pathological" Biopsy. She said Chemo Treatments would be 4 months - once a week 6 hr. treatments total involving hydrading/side affect medication & chemo.

2 days later Radiologist said .....2 months chemo same as above, then 7 wks 30-45 min. Radiation treatments DAILY & after that Chemo again OR both ??

Surgeon said Vic's cancer was "Clinical Stage 3" BEFORE surgery piece biopsied. He said "no surprises" when I asked about Pathological Biopsy - so I guess I assumed it was still stage 3.

I was calling for Foodstamps & girl to go for Disability for Vic & I'd need a letter from the Dr.

So, I called "Oncocologist & told her I wanted a letter to apply for DSSI. Then I also asked "what Stage" Vic's cancer is at & told her she NEVER mentioned that to us.

She said it was Stage 4 Advanced & she went back to him needing Chemo "4" months like her original plan......I'm so confused......the Oncologist & Radiologist seem to be "at war" as to "treat Vic" in the most effective manner to save his life before it spreads!

I talked to a different Cancer Ctr. Social Worker who REMEMBERS my mom (RIP 2004) & bro' Dave (RIP 2006)who both had Chemo & Radiation for Lung Cancer.

Soc. Wrkr. is to meet with us after Friday's Oncologist Appt. to fill out Soc. Sec. Disability paperwork, that 1st. Social Worker "SHOULD'VE" done.

I told Oncologist that she'll have to "go over Stage & Grade" of Vic's cancer with us Friday, since I should not be the one telling him that information!

Prayers requested for treatments to be successful!

[june72]

Lisa......I am sorry that I haven't been on much, but you have always been in my thoughts and prayers!

[misothere]

Still confused.....at Friday 3/23 appt. Oncologist said it's 4 months but this time said it's not once a week, it's 2 consecutive days a week (1 with each drug).

She still did not talk about Vic's STAGE until she asked if I had any ?'s & I said "yeah, what about what we talked about on the phone". She then for the very first time told Vic he has Stage 4 'cuz cancer had penetrated bladder wall.
(She didn't say it's beatable - yet the Soc Worker who met with us after said she talked to oncologist & was told that Bladder cancer at Stage 4 is beatable).

Guess I missed that on websites that I saw. I thought Vic had a less chance of beating it since they COULDN'T remove ALL of the cancer!

He'll do the treatments & PRAY THEY'LL WORK - THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO!!

First Chemo treatment was going to be this Thurs. & now Friday too! There's a chance of nausea & vomiting etc up to 3 days after treatments!

Given that fact....I asked for it to be moved to early in the week & Oncologist thought they'd be too full then, but I said "it doesn't hurt to ask"!

They DID switch & Vic starts 1st. Chemo treatments this Mon. & Tues.

Oncologist keeps saying she's doing whole 4 months chemo to treat any "unseen" cancer cells. I said wouldn't a PET SCAN give you a good starting point so when you do CAT SCAN after 2 months of Chemo you know if it's working if cancer is in other areas.

She said some insurances don't pay for PET Scan for Bladder cancer, I said can't tell unless you ask, right?

She ordered one, state insurance approved it & it's scheduled for this Weds! Hey it's Free to ask & both times I asked it worked to Vic's advantage!

God gave me this big mouth for something - LOL !

[katlnhats]

Lisa,
You don't have a big mouth, you're a smart lady and are only asking about things THEY already should have inquired about, or talked over with you. Write down all your questions before you see the Dr's again and even if you've got to number them and just keep adding to them, then you'll ask whatever they don't talk about. Did she ever tell you how many stages of cancer there are? That whole thing is strange, you'd think she definitely would have talked to both you and Vic together.
Continued prayers........keep us updated, and email me if you need to,
Hugs,
Marilyn and Mark

[june72]

Lisa you don't have a big mouth! Girl you are very wise on what to ask! I wish I was more like that and could come up with questions that great! Keep up asking!

[misothere]

Urologist told us Vic had stage 3 "clinical" stage & when I asked what pathologic stage it was after biopsy he said......"no surprises". Oncologist appt. couple days later she never mentioned stage & I guess I assumed it was still stage 3 (so much info that day.........didn't think to or think I had to come out & ask "again" what the Pathologic stage was.

Both Urologist & oncologist know mom & bro' Dave passed of Lung Cancer & might not have wanted to say the words......"Stage 4" & leave Vic & I feeling like he just got served a death sentence!

Last Friday Social Worker had talked to Oncologist & she was told by her that Bladder cancer in Stage 4 "IS TREATABLE"! (I still haven't got the "guts" to do internet research about that since I know I read recurronce rate is high etc............)

Vic had his 1st. Chemo today (short one about 45 min. - that did take 2 hrs due to nausea IV 1st & calling pharmacy etc.....hopefully 1st visit stuff only).

Vic's 2nd. Chemo treatment is tomorrow & that one involves 2 hrs hydrating - 2 hrs Chemo & 2 more hrs hydrating!

He "hasn't felt sick today - but tomorrow is the "stronger & longer" treatment!

Pray he'll handle all the treatments to have the best possible outlook!

I'll email ya' both when I'm not so tired!

Love & prayers & big hugs to you all !

[katlnhats]

Lisa,
Good news that Vic didn't get sick w/the first treatment of chemo - I think it depends on the person. Our prayers are always with you two. Hang in there and if you need me, you've got my email. I might not be on here as much as I voluntarily gave up Mod duties here. But I will check in and also, email back and forth.

Hugs,
Marilyn

[misothere]

Thanx Marilyn,

2nd. 6 hr treatment went well, they added a 3rd drug anti-nauseu drug - 2 scheduled & 1 "as needed in between" & so far the 2 scheduled one's are working!!

PET Scan was today & follow-up with Oncologist is 4/6 & "who knows" if the 4 month scheduled Chemo up front will be changed back to the 2 months before 7 wks of Radiation daily (which is more localized) to try blasting rest of tumor surgery couldn't get out!

Praying the PET Scan will help figure out best treatment plan quicker & it's followed thru' on for best results!