Update from Surgeon

Sorry for the late post. The surgeon cut out the mesh that was exposed in his wound. In his opinion it would be easy for the removal of the mesh since he believes that it is not attached except at the sides. He did say that Jeff would leave the hospital with a wound vac and that his incision would possibly not heal all the way and that he could have a wound vac the rest of his life. Jeff is a little sceptical and would like another opinion if he decides surgery is an option for him. We haven't had much time to talk about it. We both think that with the infection gone he would be eligible for more trials, but then there is the flip side of taking into account how long it takes him to heal from surgery. Jeff did take an extremely low dose of oxyfast tonite because the pain spikes are starting to come back. The hospice nurse talked to us today about Jeff switching to methadone again and that it would be an easier switch since he is not taking the long acting oxycodone anymore. Jeff is starting to sleep more and seems tired, but he also is not sleeping for a long period of time. He is urinating frequently causing him to wake. It is a good thing, sort of, because he is loosing lots of the fluid. That is all for now. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving and hope all is well with everyone.

-Abby

Updates

Sometimes I forget that some of you who don't see Jeff everyday might need some more description on how well he has improved. First of all he is no longer using a wheelchair and has not for sometime!!! His fluid retention is still there, but on most days it is much better. He is physically able to do much more than he was. Also he drives the care on occasions and runs errands by himself and can carry in groceries (if they aren't overly heavy). Also he is completely off all of his oxycodone along with about half of his medicine.
Another update: we are going to see Dr. James Hamilton Friday morning. He is a surgeon with Tallgrass Surgical Center in Topeka. Dr. Tim hooked us up with him. We are going to talk to him about finding out where the fluid in Jeff's abdominal area is coming from and what possibilities there might be in closing up his wound. We are hopeful that there will be some options, but trying not to get too excited. I am attending a lecture tomorrow nite about nanoscience and some up and coming treatments.
Hope all is well with everyone!!

-Abby

Already Another Update

Jeff's blood transfusion went well today. He received two units of blood and we were there for about 7 1/2 hours. Jeff is doing so good that hospice visits have been bumped down to just one time a week!! I feel like he graduated ;). Hope all is well with everyone.

-Abby

Just Finished

We just got home from the stint change procedure and there was no change. Dr. Heeb said everything looked the same as it did last time in May. Also, forgot to post last time. Jeff's white blood cells (WBC) are in normal range at 10.3 and his potassium is in range for the first time in a long time. Just for point of reference when Jeff had the "incident" his WBC count was in the 20s. It is though his body might be naturally fighting some of this stuff off. Everyone's prayers and positive energy are being well received and truly making a difference.
I think that is all for today. Everyone take care.

-Abby

Updates

We met with the radiological oncologist on Monday. He was wonderful and upbeat. Unfortunately he said there was nothing that he could do for Jeff because his cancer is like a moving target. With the bowels right there it would not be safe for him to have radiology treatments. He did say that he was going to a tumor convention and would talk to some KUMED surgeons that he knows to kick around some ideas about Jeff's situation. I am hoping to hear back from him next week.
Jeff is having the stint in his ureter replaced this morning at LMH. He is due for a change and is starting to have some discomfort with the one that is in.
Jeff's hemoglobin was low, so they are going to do a blood transfusion next week. I am hopeful that they will do it Tuesday on my day off so I can be with him at LMH. Dr. Tim said the blood loss can be due to the presence of cancer or maybe since Jeff's right kidney is swollen (it has been since his recurrence in 2007) that it may not be prompting the body to produce the correct amount of red blood cells that his body needs. I think that is all for now. Jeff is doing really good and is working really hard at increasing his physical stamina. Hope all is well with everyone.

-Abby

Consultations/Updates

We are meeting with Dr. Klish next week for a consultation about what if any radiology interventions might help Jeff with pain and comfort. We are not for sure if anything will work for Jeff, but we are going to find out. This is the radiological oncologist that I met at the cancer seminar I attended.
Dr. Heeb's (urologist) office says that Jeff is due for a stint change, so that will most likely be scheduled in the next few weeks.
Since Jeff's nerve pain medicine has been increased and he has been off the Oxycontin his pain has been doing much better. We went to a KU game last weekend and he walked the entire time with his cane. Jeff has really been physically pushing himself. We went to the dog park yesterday and walked for a little bit on a trail with the dogs. It was great. Oscar and Jennie were tired when we got home.
We have bumped down the Fentanyl patches by 50mcg for a total of three changes. Once these 3 changes are done then we will bump down another 50 as long as Jeff's pain is still doing okay. The nerve pain medicine might have to be increased through this process.
We have revisited the discussion about possible trial evaluation and Jeff wants to be home for the holidays, so trial discussions are on hold. We will revisit it after the first of the year and see where things are at.
Hope all is well with everyone.

-Abby