No Calls, No Visitors, Please....UPDATED

Tough Time Right Now

Rene's condition is not good at the moment, the ulcers in her mouth are very severe to the point where she cannot eat or drink! Adding to all of this, her double port is only functioning as a single port at the moment and this is making it tough for her and the nurses to get all the fluids, medicines, and antibiotics administrated quickly. I am waiting for the doctors to arrive so we can map out how we can get this addressed for her today!

Science, Side Effects, & Confused Stares

Rene nadir is really creating stress for everyone involved and as for me and I transfer the stress back to her doctors if I don't like their responses. Her doctors are doing everything they can to help her and they are acting like doctors in the process!

Her nurses and nurse aides are the true human factor and they make up for any shortcomings in the bedside manner department! It is important to note, that her nurses can get me to behave and her doctors remind me why I enjoy the violence associated with playing rugby against a team you hate! It doesn't help when I stayed overnight and tried sleeping in a chair in her room! Someone has to feel the pain for that one!!

I explained to her oncologist that he must spend time prior to each chemo session on potential side effects and treatment strategies. I told him that we understand that he cannot predict how severe a given side effect could be.

Instead, he should present to her what he has observed and steps taken during the treatment. I also stated that this will aid in understand how to deal with it versus why did it occur. More importantly, this keeps me out of his hair in future!

Medical F.U.B.A.R Issues

• Her dual port has a stoppage in one area that render it to be a single; I agree with her oncologist's decision, get her blood counts to proper levels first and address this later
• This decision resulted in having to insert a needle into a vein on her hand to recreate the dual IV points again; this was painful and Rene made it clear to the nurse doing the work
• Rene's mucositis is the reason she cannot eat, drink, or speak at the moment and it is painful
• There is nothing they can for this except to let the mouth heal and provide proper pain management
• The phlegm factor is unbelievable; to spare Rene the need to spit this stuff every moment, she has a neat little suction vacuum to use in her mouth and I am glad I don't have to clean the vacuum!
  
• She really likes her morphine pump now!
• She now is getting her nutrition via an IV until her mouth heals
• She is experiencing swelling in her legs, ankles, and feet again and the diuretic are working
  
• FUBAR means (Fouled Up Beyond Any Repair); yes this is the proper version!