Hi, everybody. This is Kaye. Shane's not up for blogging right now. And I might have to take over the blog from now on. Last Friday (Dec.30), Shane started vomiting everything that he was taking in orally. Unfortunately, that included his pain medications. No pain meds means no pain control. And Shane was in a lot of pain. Because of the holiday weekend (New Year's), we couldn't reach our family doctor to change all of Shane's meds to intravenous or injection. Shane lasted through 3 days and nights of intense pain, hoping that something would stay down and be absorbed in his system. But alas, nothing did. By Monday, the nurse & I decided that Shane needed to be admitted to the emergency department at the Milton District Hospital. We waited almost 4 hours in the waiting room, before Shane finally could lie down on a stretcher in an examination room. Shane was hooked up to an IV and was dosed with a total of 7 mg of morphine within a period of 1 1/2 hours. It was a relief to see the pain go away from Shane.
Shane was finally discharged from the Milton District Hospital on Thursday with a CAD pump, which is a battery powered portable pump that continuously infuses pain medication through subcutaneous injection (a needle under the skin); it also permits Shane to dose himself with more pain medication for breakthrough pain. He hasn't eaten/drank anything for the past 8 days without vomiting. But this afternoon, Shane has been to take a bit of broth and ice chips without vomiting them up, so his digestive system might be able to tolerate something now. Who knows if he'll get better? Nobody knows.
Shane is very weak and "not all there". I can't really say that he's disoriented because he know who he is, and where he is, and what time it is, but I can't ask him questions that require complicated answers. Life at home has changed dramatically, because of Shane's declining condition. We had to get him a hospital bed, and we have oxygen if he needs it. He fades in and out of consciousness, so sometimes it's very difficult to talk to him. He sometimes perks up and he can walk to the bathroom, but overall, he's been staying in bed.
Please excuse me for speaking plainly. Shane's time is limited. Nobody knows how long he will stay like this, but his condition could deteriorate rapidly. Especially, since he can't eat or drink much. If you want to visit Shane at home, now is the time to do it. He shouldn't be inundated with visitors, but he can tolerate 2-3 people at a time for short visits.
Anyhow, I'll write more later. Signing off, Kaye.
Short Executive Status (Summary) -- Blog is below
Active Tumors:
» 5+ liver tumors -- largest is 7 cm by 5.2 cm (70 x 52 mm), Gold tracers inserted Nov 21 for CyberKnife x-ray 3D movement tracking. Thu Dec 1st,2011, CyberKnife planning. Dec 16th, treatment 1/3 done to whole liver. Dec 19th, treatment 2/3 done to whole liver. Dec 21st, treatment 3 failed, couldn't get tracer alignment. Dec 22nd, treatment 2.5/3 done using 2 of 4 tracers. Final 0.5 treatment was to be done Tue Dec 27th. Cancelled due to complications and hospitalization.
» 12 lung tumors -- largest is 8 mm in size (0.8 cm)
» 1 lymph node tumor -- near left renal vein & artery of left kidney (1.4 cm). Nov 14th: Ultrasound done of both kidneys and bladder area, all 3 areas are cancer free.
» 3rd-8th brain tumors -- 6 new brain tumors. Sizes all less than 5mm(0.5cm). Some as small as 2mm(0.2cm). Full brain radiation or CyberKnife TBD in Jan after 2nd MRI to see speed of growth.
Inactive Tumors:
» 2nd brain tumor -- Killed via CyberKnife Sep 29/2011, 5 mm in size (0.5 cm).
» 1st brain tumor -- Killed via CyberKnife May/2011, was 20 mm in size (2 cm). Nov 21st, still showing brain tissue swelling, but not active.
» Original Esophogeal Cancer tumor (source of everything) -- Surgically removed June/2010 by 3-field Esophogectomy. Was roughly large egg sized.
[ Note: 2.54 cm = 25.4mm = 1 inch ]
Link to 34 surgery June 2010 pictures and some post surgery shots.
» 5+ liver tumors -- largest is 7 cm by 5.2 cm (70 x 52 mm), Gold tracers inserted Nov 21 for CyberKnife x-ray 3D movement tracking. Thu Dec 1st,2011, CyberKnife planning. Dec 16th, treatment 1/3 done to whole liver. Dec 19th, treatment 2/3 done to whole liver. Dec 21st, treatment 3 failed, couldn't get tracer alignment. Dec 22nd, treatment 2.5/3 done using 2 of 4 tracers. Final 0.5 treatment was to be done Tue Dec 27th. Cancelled due to complications and hospitalization.
» 12 lung tumors -- largest is 8 mm in size (0.8 cm)
» 1 lymph node tumor -- near left renal vein & artery of left kidney (1.4 cm). Nov 14th: Ultrasound done of both kidneys and bladder area, all 3 areas are cancer free.
» 3rd-8th brain tumors -- 6 new brain tumors. Sizes all less than 5mm(0.5cm). Some as small as 2mm(0.2cm). Full brain radiation or CyberKnife TBD in Jan after 2nd MRI to see speed of growth.
Inactive Tumors:
» 2nd brain tumor -- Killed via CyberKnife Sep 29/2011, 5 mm in size (0.5 cm).
» 1st brain tumor -- Killed via CyberKnife May/2011, was 20 mm in size (2 cm). Nov 21st, still showing brain tissue swelling, but not active.
» Original Esophogeal Cancer tumor (source of everything) -- Surgically removed June/2010 by 3-field Esophogectomy. Was roughly large egg sized.
[ Note: 2.54 cm = 25.4mm = 1 inch ]
 | 5 pictures included in album | ||
| 2011_11_16, Shane in BIG CHAIR |
Link to 34 surgery June 2010 pictures and some post surgery shots.
Latest Picture
Shane - 2011_11_27, Photo Shoot lighting prep
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This is Kaye, again. If you do choose to visit Shane, please call beforehand. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Kaye and Shane. Thanks for your update. I think of Shane every day. I will give you a call in the next day or two and arrange a time to come for a short visit. XOXO Charlene
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the plain speak, Kaye. While I know that it is incredibly hard to say, and to hear, it is the kindest possible thing you can do. My thoughts are with you all. Hope the pump does the trick, in terms of comfort. Hope you take care of yourself throught all this, too, as incredibly difficult as it must be. You should be a priority too.
ReplyDeleteLove (and I do really mean that),
Noella
Working like crazy on his video. Just about done editing all of the photos and weeding out the worst of the worst (where Shane's so far in the background that you can't actually tell he's there, for example). Getting ready to start music editing next. Shane gave me a ton of options to work with, but I think I have it narrowed down somewhat. Love to all. Will head over for a visit after work tonight. Text me if you want me to bring anything.
ReplyDelete...Deb
Hi Kaye,
ReplyDeleteit breaks my heart, when I'm reading what Shane and You going through. You are in my prayers every day.
Love,
Barb Gilo
Hello Kaye
ReplyDeletePlease know that you and Shane are in our thoughts, prayers and deep in our hearts. Shane touches so many of us from Gennum. Peace to you and your family
Love
Lynn McNeil
Keeping you and your family in our hearts and thoughts, "plainspeak" is hard to read but even harder for the writer. You are special people and by sharing your trials and tribulations you are also helping others. Stay strong and use your support system.
ReplyDeleteLove to all.
Gloria
Kaye ,You and Shane are in my thoughts and prayars every day.
ReplyDeleteLove with all my heart
Elizabeth Kwaterska
Dear Kaye and Shane:
ReplyDeleteM has just given me a bit of an update. You've been in my thoughts and prayers, and will be even more so now.
Love and hugs to all of you,
Melanie