Gathering more data

Dale met with primary care physician today to discuss the latest results of the CT scan. The lumps have spread more abundantly: lungs, lymph nodes, and chest.  Dale will go to another specialist for more tests and information. This doctor is anxious to proceed to find what is going on. There is concern. There is a problem. More tests, more data, more time.

He had a minimal day today. Weak, belabored breathing, and pain. Loss of hope, anger, and frustration have set in again. We had three nice days thinking he was on the mend. Good to feel that once in awhile.

Insurance causes delays and the doctor has to battle the system to do what needs to be done. Frustrating!

Misery in check

One week has made a big difference in Dale's well being. Sun is shining, he has been out in the yard, and he is feeling much better. The virus must be on its last weeks. Energy level greater, pain less dominating, and cough has leveled. Nose bleeds, dry coughs, and fatigue are common now. No kidney stone pain, some breathing difficulty, and his back pain is becoming more of the issue rather than the virus symptoms. Progress. Attitude improvement.

This week is another CT scan. Still don't know what pulmonary physician wanted to tell him. Insurance did not want to support that appointment.

More to me

Kidney stones have shown their painful face once again. I came home from a stressful intensive day of work, run Dale errands, fix dinner, and spend the night in the ER with Dale. That answers his complaints for the past few days. They treated him as kindly as a frequent flyer and I just sit there, waiting. He eventually passed the stone and I was sent out to get prescriptions before the late pharmacy closed.  That pharmacy does not take our insurance. I was somewhat kind to the pharmacist, but could have been gentler. By the time I got back to the ER, the pain medication was absorbed and they could release him. Home. He slept. I slept-but now up ready for another day.

On the good side of the day...I was visited by a friend with a celebratory cake just for me. My academic accomplishments recognized and celebrated. Thank you. I thank you, graciously, because there is more of/to me than that caretaker role.

Medium weak/week

We got out of the house yesterday and enjoyed the pre spring blue sky day. It was good to do--for both of us. There is something about nature that heals the soul.

Dale's week was medium. He gained strength daily, yet his mind continued to fight the weakness he feels. Today he is pale, cold, and quiet. He is not well. Appetite medium, diarrhea high. Blood pressure high, pain medium high. Depression high. Hopelessness high. Balance low, strength low.

Many people ask about Dale's health and their thoughts, prayers, and kindness are felt and appreciated.

Three more weeks of misery

Several days of weakness, coughing, vomits, and diarrhea do not make fun times. Dale continues to make it through a day, but is quite weak and in pain. The virus bumps on his shins and ankles have spread throughout his feet and cause pain. The one on his elbow ( I should have taken a picture-it was pretty ugly) is doing better. The bruising is yellowing and healing, but sore. This is a strange virus. The bumps are soft, hot, and painful. Dale's comfort level is low and he is too weak to do much at all.

Sunday was a good day. He was upright, dressed, downstairs, and conversed in sound conversations for several hours of the day. We felt he was doing better, however, Monday came.

He took himself to the doctor's for checkup. He was out and about for perhaps two hours, came home exhausted, and had to rest/sleep the rest of the day.

Hopefully, he is mostly done with this virus. Its been about 5 weeks of the said 6-8 weeks of healing. I suspect three more weeks of misery.

Early morning woes

Although we have an answer to the ongoing ailments, Dale's needs are intensive. Early yesterday morning, I heard a thud and found that Dale had passed out. He bumped the biopsy wound on his elbow, broke the stitches, and was bleeding. What a mess. Good Morning!!

It stopped bleeding enough to clean around the wound so I could bandage it. Later, we had the doctor look at it since it began bleeding again, had "heated up," and was painful. They cleaned it, examined and bandaged again. Should be fine.

I am tired.

I am not a nurse, but have to be one.

Not tuberculosis

It is not tuberculosis. It is erythema nodosum.

The bumps on Dale's arms and legs became troublesome and painful. They grew in new places and the discomfort and  pain increased. Off to the ER we go. The ER physician that remembers us was just leaving but came in to see us anyway. He looked at the bumps and made a diagnosis he shared with the incoming ER physician, who added in more information, and then called Huntsman Hospital's hematologist for further care. Huntsman said, "Come on in!" After all, Dale has had issues for several weeks and there have not been answers.

Dale was given a room in the BMT (bone marrow transplant) wing which gave me the indication that he needed a sterile room. When the University sent the infectious disease doctor in, tuberculosis was being ruled out. He has many of the same symptoms. With his compromised immune system, Dale is susceptible to infections most of us are vaccinated for.

There were teams of doctors and doctors-in-the-making checking on Dale, as erythema nodosum is rare. His stay was less than 24 hours, but they found the answer.  Another biopsy of one the larger bumps on his elbow was taken. It is likely to be the same as the lung biopsy mass was, just on his shins, ankles, and forearms.

When they took the biopsies in the lungs, the erythema nodosum began to develop, a side affect. No treatment, just occasional ibuprofen. Dale will have painful joints, fevers, and will feel sick for 2 to 8 weeks. Weakness and other flu-like symptoms will continue.

An answer to the last several weeks.

2:45 AM Room window view, when Dale was admitted.