Oliver's and Michael's constant advice has been always to "Be STRONG" "Remember mum has been healed by the stripes of Jesus". I try. But like most mortals I fall short.
For the last two nights, fearing that she might fall I have returned to the "nuptial bed" instead of monitoring GSB from the Grandchildren room on the second floor with my new "Baby Monitor".
She has great difficulty walking. Falling is a major concern! All we would need on top of mesothelioma would be a broken hip! Hence my move back to "our bed".
Yesterday she did take a bath. A shadow of her former self sums it up for all our readers especially the young. For those of you of my age think back to those mid 40's BBC B&W videos after we "Won the War" and released people interned........................,,,
Today we started a new round of CHEMO.
The brand name is GEMZAR.
Prior to the infusion she weighed in at 110lbs. Refer back to 3 parkas above.
Her leg muscles have atrophied. I have bought some leg weights that may help but she has great difficulty in walking.
The biggest blow to me trying to emulate my sons and "Be strong" came as I just gave her some more pain medicine tucked her into bed she said :-
" Opal please do not worry we have HAD a wonderful life"
Friday, December 5, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
A Body Blow
Today we took a "body-blow" ,below the belt! Mary Crowley had lead us to believe that Gisela would be an "acceptable" candidate for an experimental trial for Mesothelioma; sadly the detailed test results showed otherwise.
She has two (2) conditions that rule her ineligible:-
1. The rheumatoid factor,
2. A urine /bladder deficiency.
The reading required for Nos.1 is 13. GSB's was 450!!!!!
We are both DEVASTATED. Now what? At Mary Cowley a big fat ZERO.
Get the RF factor reduced by 427? Not sure what that means.
We meet with Dr..Skokie this Wednesday. More prayers , on the belief that when the door is closed the Lord will open another one in its place
She has two (2) conditions that rule her ineligible:-
1. The rheumatoid factor,
2. A urine /bladder deficiency.
The reading required for Nos.1 is 13. GSB's was 450!!!!!
We are both DEVASTATED. Now what? At Mary Cowley a big fat ZERO.
Get the RF factor reduced by 427? Not sure what that means.
We meet with Dr..Skokie this Wednesday. More prayers , on the belief that when the door is closed the Lord will open another one in its place
Friday, November 7, 2014
A Doctors"Love"
Dr..David Park has been our Gastroenterologist since we moved from Illinois to Texas in 2002. Dr. Skokie suggested we contact him for his " expert " opinion on the last CT Scan findings.
When he walked ,this morning, into the Exam room at his rooms near the hospital he cried!
Powerful, to say the least!
He explained that the blockage in GSB's bile duct was causing the enlargement of her gall bladder.
He recommended an MRI to verify how bad that blockage was; early next week?
His testimony as we started to leave was so "Powerful". I paraphrase:_
"Gisela we are all on a journey. NONE of us knows how much more of the earthly part we have to live ---could be this week (!) ;maybe this month (!!) possibly this year.or maybe TEN more years. Enjoy your time NOW! Take the pain medicine. Eternity is ahead------NO MORE PAIN!
They hugged. Wow. So much for Doctors being non-emotional with their patients.
When he walked ,this morning, into the Exam room at his rooms near the hospital he cried!
Powerful, to say the least!
He explained that the blockage in GSB's bile duct was causing the enlargement of her gall bladder.
He recommended an MRI to verify how bad that blockage was; early next week?
His testimony as we started to leave was so "Powerful". I paraphrase:_
"Gisela we are all on a journey. NONE of us knows how much more of the earthly part we have to live ---could be this week (!) ;maybe this month (!!) possibly this year.or maybe TEN more years. Enjoy your time NOW! Take the pain medicine. Eternity is ahead------NO MORE PAIN!
They hugged. Wow. So much for Doctors being non-emotional with their patients.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
A BAD month or more!
It has been some time since I updated the blog.On October the 17th the Oncologist, Dr. C Stokoe, decided against the scheduled CHEMO as Gisela's kidneys were showing signs of " distress ".... ...She was given an fusion of IRON and medicine to help with the nausea. That was repeated another two times in the next week!
Then she had a CT Scan to check the Brain and the lower abdomen.
The ONLY good news was there was NO trace of Cancer in the Brain. However the "BAD NEWS" offset that.
The mesothelioma in her "Pleural Cavity" has GROWN! Her lymph nodes (in her chest ) have also become "activated". Her liver has three (3) spots on it and her Gall Bladder is extended---enlarged!
Tomorrow we go to Dr.David Park who has been our Gastroentilogist since we moved to Texas in 2002. Possibly the intense pain she has, which is CONSTANT, is caused by this "new" problem.
Gisela is so "upbeat" and although I do NOT have her physical pain the mental anguish is really getting me down.
Then she had a CT Scan to check the Brain and the lower abdomen.
The ONLY good news was there was NO trace of Cancer in the Brain. However the "BAD NEWS" offset that.
The mesothelioma in her "Pleural Cavity" has GROWN! Her lymph nodes (in her chest ) have also become "activated". Her liver has three (3) spots on it and her Gall Bladder is extended---enlarged!
Tomorrow we go to Dr.David Park who has been our Gastroentilogist since we moved to Texas in 2002. Possibly the intense pain she has, which is CONSTANT, is caused by this "new" problem.
Gisela is so "upbeat" and although I do NOT have her physical pain the mental anguish is really getting me down.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Chemo 3
We are "old hands" at Chemo! The nursing staff , a wonderful nurse called Pam, ( how poignant when we think of two other great Pam's Leary and Chandonia ) does all the work. Gisela just sits there and her BIG Drip watches all the little drips enter her blood system.
The process is still the same since Chemo 1. "Flush" her out!; add anti nausea "stuff" added for obvious reasons; now prepared, run in the " Good Stuff ". Pure "platinum" --sort of.
bless her heart she did well. So well that after a visit to the " little girl's room " she nodded off.
The process is still the same since Chemo 1. "Flush" her out!; add anti nausea "stuff" added for obvious reasons; now prepared, run in the " Good Stuff ". Pure "platinum" --sort of.
bless her heart she did well. So well that after a visit to the " little girl's room " she nodded off.
Port 2
Several you inquired who the two people are? Well the lady was the RN Supervisor and the gentlemen the PA to the asset. surgeon; hence the magenta "Scrubs"
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Anyone for PORT?
Gisela is now the proud owner of a "Port"? Unlike the after dinner drink or where a ship docks this port has been inserted above her right breast with a "connection" to the major vein in her neck!
The procedure to "insert" took less than 45min.
Hindsight is always 20:20 vision! We should have opted for this from Day 1.
The device is now UNDER her skin! Any future CHEMO session or IV drip will be so much easier for both Gisela and the administering RN.
As you can see (I hope!) from the photograph the device has three (3) knobs that the RN can "feel"
and then insert a special needle into the "centre" of the 3 knobs.
The procedure to "insert" took less than 45min.
Hindsight is always 20:20 vision! We should have opted for this from Day 1.
The device is now UNDER her skin! Any future CHEMO session or IV drip will be so much easier for both Gisela and the administering RN.
As you can see (I hope!) from the photograph the device has three (3) knobs that the RN can "feel"
and then insert a special needle into the "centre" of the 3 knobs.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Celebration Time
We decided to join "Ollie" and "Les Girls" ( Nicole, Lydia and Molly) at the "seaside"; Galveston ,Texas.
The weather was excellent but the FISH were even better!
If you go "Gaido's" or "Fishermans Wharf" are two of the finest restaurants to enjoy seafood.
The weather was excellent but the FISH were even better!
If you go "Gaido's" or "Fishermans Wharf" are two of the finest restaurants to enjoy seafood.
Monday, August 18, 2014
GREAT NEWS!!
" The mesothelioma in your pleural cavity has REDUCED in thickness"
Both Gisela and I said " Thank-you Lord Jesus"
He added that the next Chemo infusion would be on August 26th. He would then meet with Gisela on September the 5th to decide what to "do" next.
All indication are that BECAUSE this combination of Pemetrexed and Cisplatin had "worked" further sessions could be considered.
We wanted to HUG everybody in the clinic but settled on the Nurse who had supervised two of the Chemo treatments!
We are ecstatic!
We want to thank ALL of Prayer Warriors.
GOD IS GOOD.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Montreal
Montreal will always have a soft spot in both Gisele and my hearts. After all she was raised in the city and went from childhood to motherhood; Oliver was "made" on Nun's Island.
We have been back countless times over the last four decades but during each visit their are certain rituals that we go through. All are associated with FOOD!
There is the " The Blue House" ----------which is NOT blue! It serves hot dogs or " steamy " as the locals call the "Hot Dogs" and greasy French fries washed down with cola.
Then there is "Chalet BBQ". There you order a " Two leg chicken dinner that comes with delicious coleslaw------------------- and you guessed it MORE greasy French fries.
Sunday Night over the ages and last night was no different Mireille makes Spaghetti with homemade tomato meat sauce. Garlic bread and salad.
Gisele ate all of that
Afterwards CAKE!
We have been back countless times over the last four decades but during each visit their are certain rituals that we go through. All are associated with FOOD!
There is the " The Blue House" ----------which is NOT blue! It serves hot dogs or " steamy " as the locals call the "Hot Dogs" and greasy French fries washed down with cola.
Then there is "Chalet BBQ". There you order a " Two leg chicken dinner that comes with delicious coleslaw------------------- and you guessed it MORE greasy French fries.
Sunday Night over the ages and last night was no different Mireille makes Spaghetti with homemade tomato meat sauce. Garlic bread and salad.
Gisele ate all of that
Afterwards CAKE!Sunday, July 13, 2014
World Cup 2014
As most of you know Gisela was born in Germany. In the spa resort Baden Baden. Over the years both Oliver and Michael ( the son!) became avid sports fans! If it was an International game / match they would support England ( for "Dad") or Germany (for "Mum").
When in 1986 we were all in Montreal for Omi 1's "80 th" the World Cup saw England v/s Argentina the infamous "Hand of God Goal" by Maradonna---England lost!
Since then we "all" have become American Citizens and our allegiance in the main has been to support the USA.
For this 2014 World Cup all three teams were "in". At the Group Level we were all three Barron men at the England game. SAD! Good game they lost; we had fun. Both England and the US went "home" BUT Germany thrashed Brazil and Dad and "Ollie" watched the FINAL against that same dreaded Argentina. No Maradonna but Messi 4 times voted the Worlds Best Player leading them.
A truly great game
Gisela was at home. Oh by the way a little bruising but no other ill effects from Chemo 2
.
When in 1986 we were all in Montreal for Omi 1's "80 th" the World Cup saw England v/s Argentina the infamous "Hand of God Goal" by Maradonna---England lost!
Since then we "all" have become American Citizens and our allegiance in the main has been to support the USA.
For this 2014 World Cup all three teams were "in". At the Group Level we were all three Barron men at the England game. SAD! Good game they lost; we had fun. Both England and the US went "home" BUT Germany thrashed Brazil and Dad and "Ollie" watched the FINAL against that same dreaded Argentina. No Maradonna but Messi 4 times voted the Worlds Best Player leading them.
A truly great game
Gisela was at home. Oh by the way a little bruising but no other ill effects from Chemo 2
Friday, July 11, 2014
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