It's the ghostwriter back again, and that's not good news. When Shelley is feeling even half way good, the words just flow out of her fingertips into her blog. But, since Thursday the harsh realities of head and neck radiation, coupled with the chemo, have set up camp in the brick house on Northview Drive.
Thursday there were hints of things getting worse, pain in the lymph nodes under her jaw, and such, and it worsened on Friday. Things got yet worse over the weekend, when it became very difficult to swallow.
At Monday's radiation appointment they took this worsening quite seriously--did blood counts, blood cultures, changed her to liquid painkiller, gave her a bag of IV fluid since she wasn't getting much down, and scheduled her for surgery to have a feeding tube put in. Oh, and cancelled Tuesday's radiation because of low white blood count.
So, today there was no radiation, but the surgical procedure to install this new apparatus, a PEG feeding tube--goes from the abdomen right into the stomach. It was just a 15 minute surgery, but there was a four hour recovery because of getting a couple more bags of IV fluids to keep her hydrated. It can't really be used for feeding until tomorrow, but nurse Jim got preliminary instructions of how to use it for her medications tonight. Tomorrow they'll return to the Cancer Center to get the full course on the care and feeding of a feeding tube. They're assuming there will be radiation again tomorrow, but no one said for sure. Shelley is sore because of the surgery today, and just generally miserable. However, she does feel just a little better this evening. It's a relief to not have to swallow very much, and the painkiller takes a lot of the pain away except at the times she has to swallow. There is so much mucus to deal with, and that is really her number one discomfort at this time.
Shelley's hair is starting to go, but not in a sudden dramatic way like you might expect. Just more and more combs out all the time. So--all in all, these are rough days. And, there are many more of them ahead. Sometimes it looks like the light is very far down at the end of the tunnel. So, this is one reason I'm back on the job, so you can continue to share in their challenging journey. Your encouraging comments and feedback are appreciated and needed at this time. It's a pleasant diversion for them all, and gives Shelley a fleeting moment in which she can focus on something besides pain and misery. Thanks so much for your thoughts their direction.
17 comments:
Oh dear.... Makes my heart hurt and I wish I cud just curl up next to ya and try and understand.... Not cuz everyone is a cuddly type .... But somehow it seems my critter's make me feel better when they do this so I've taken lesson's from the best.....hugs to you Shelley.... And I hope you can get some relief... Many many folks have you in their thoughts and prayers.... Christy L
Since I spent some time with you yesterday, Shelley, I am not surprised to see the "ghost-writer" return here. if it were but possible for me to take some of this for you I would do so in a heartbeat. Every day gone by is one day closer to this chapter being finished. Even yesterday I was once again inspired but the smile that peeked through more than once. Love you dear friend :)
Shelley and family,
I think of you all so many times in a day. Shelley, I wish I could take even a portion of your pain away. As each day goes by, you are 1 day closer to the end of all of this. Jim, Lynette, Lorene and Nathan...I know how hard it is seeing Shelley suffer. You are the ones that see it, day in and day out, wishing you could help her more than what you can. For you too, there is an end to all of this. Today, you are all one day closer.... May you have better days ahead. Love all of you. Holly
Thinking of you all. Hoping so much for better days SOON! Thanks for the update. Hugs Luanne
Dearest Shelley; The sun is shining, the breeze is blowing and another day is passing as you are trying to get over this hurdle and only able to crawl! SO glad you have a ghost writer to keep us up-to-date on how you are doing as kept checking your blog (finally!!) and now there is some news. Hang in there, we are all keeping you in our thoughts!! With Love and Hugs, Lorna and Garland
Dearest Shelley...we can't feel it as keenly as you, but we are hurting with you... and as Cyndie said, we would share your pain in a heartbeat if we could. You are so near to the halfway point! Healing days are just ahead. Hang in there dear one! Hugs...
I heard (probably from the ghost writer, actually) that you weren't doing so well now and am so sorry. I hope the days get on the upswing soon.
I enjoyed catching up on the posts. Loved the pix of Barry- what a sweetie!
xo and hang in there!!
And this is your ghost nurse/housekeeper wishing she was already there to help, but glad there are others who are standing by. Time is going so quickly up here, and I know time can't go quickly enough there. See you on the 18th! Thinking of you all the time... Hang in there, all of you!
Love, Dodie
Oh Shelley I'm so very sorry that you are feeling so miserable right now! I'm so glad you have a ghost writer that is keeping us all updated. Hang in there my Dear!! Love and hugs!! Janet
Hello Shelley and all of the folks that do, or have, called 300 Northview Drive, home. Oh, but this is panning out just like the experts said it would, so the encouraging part of that is....it's the road to that cure they are giving you. It was amazing to see you last week...and you were just as perky as could be it seemed, and then it has become increasingly miserable for you. Hang in there....one moment at a time. Love and more love...Renee
We are so sorry for your misery, but we are looking for better days ahead for you. We care
So sorry you have to go thru this experience..not one anybody would choose. But I do know that it's experiences like this that cause roots to go deeper, and for that you will be thankful in the long run. Hang in there, dear Friends. We think of you all.
"His presence like a wall of fire, is round about me everywhere." This hymn is on my heart this morning, Shelley. As I think of your difficult experience, I cannot help but be comforted in knowing that His presence is everywhere! It is in the simple things from the love, care, support of friends, your family...I pray His presence be a comfort in the coming days as you face this trial. I love the acrostic for Presence.
P - Peace
R - Rest
E - Encouragement
S - Strengthening
E - Edification
N - Nourishment
C - Correction
E- Enlightenment
Grateful for the One who can fill our experiences with peace. I hope and pray you too can find that peace in the midst of such a difficult time.
Your sis,
Just sending virtual comforting hugs, hoping so much that you will feel better soon. Wishing like others that there was something to do that would "really" help you feel better--but at this time it's just adding a word here, thinking of you. I know you will be counting the days for D. to come! ♥♥
Shelley and family, please know that you are very much in our thoughts and prayers these days. We are so lucky to have a Father whose heart is touched for us in our need. Love and hugs! John and Jamie Myers
Oh Shelley...not the news I was hoping for coming of here tonight. :-( My heart is sad for all you are going through right now, and wish I had words of comfort! Want you to know I THINK of you OFTEN...the blogging friend I have never met, but a friend in SO much more.
So thankful for this update written, when you weren't able too!
Hugs and tender care going your way!
Re-reading this nice post, that tells so well, what that day was like, is encouraging. It is nice that someone else is able to fill in for me, when I am feeling unable to do it. I LOVE to write this blog, but there are some days, it just can't be done, and I appreciate my Invited Guest Blogger.
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