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Deb-the naturopathic doctor gave Dave some L-carnitine a supplement that is supposed to help with fatigue as he has terrible fatigue all the time. I really push him to keep hydrated too which can make a difference. They wanted him to try ritalin, but he said no to that. Dave always says “what good are your friends if you can’t use them”, so call up and enlist help as sometimes people don’t know what to do to help until you tell them.
PatriceShalla-I think many folks respond the way your Mom has when they are first diagnosed but even if she continues to feel this way it is so great that she has you in her corner keeping up on everything that is going on. We’ll all send positive thoughts her way for the whipple.
PatriceYippee!!! What a wonderful end to a what was a lousy day. Dave is having a paracentesis this week as he has developed ascites and they want to see if his cancer has spread to the peritoneum. Sure hope your good news brings him good luck. All the best with your up-coming oncologist visit.
PatriceHey Jeff- anemia is low hemaglobin count. Hemaglobin carries oxygen in the blood. Platelets are the factor that help blood to clot and is affected by chemo and also by hyperspleism. I know you take an herbal concoction but i know there are some that are specific to low platelets. Usually they rebound as you get further out from the chemo. Probably none of that helped and you probably knew it already but just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
PatriceHi Deb- my husband Dave was also diagnosed in March 07. They said he was not a candidate for surgery, but I think now we should have looked for more opinions. We live on Cape Cod. He had chemo here on the Cape and then they told him there wasn’t much else to do and that chemo was only palliative.
So, we went to Cancer Treatment Center of America in PA and they are using a different chemo and are now suggesting radiation. We also have a consult in at MGH to see about microspheres.
I come here most every day for encouragement and this is a wonderfully supportive group. Hopefully something will eventually shrink Dave’s many tumors enough so that he can have surgery. Best to you.
PatriceHi Carol- Dave and I live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. We got word from Dr. Kennedy today that he received Dave’s films and will look at them today and give us his opinion. We hang our hope on anything these days. I can’t even think about “letting Dave go” I cry over everything these days. A Hallmark card is enough to make me blubber if you know what I mean. I send good thoughts out to the universe for everyone on this site. Everyone’s joy is ours as is everyone’s sorrow. Is Charlie feeling any better? When will you know about the chemo and the therespheres? Will you be going to Dr. Kennedy for that? Keep on keeping on. Patrice
Hi Carol- Sorry to hear your news. I hope Charlie can have some chemo to hold things at bay. Dave’s most recent chemo didn’t go well. They are suggesting radiation now to try and shrink the tumors and we have also sent his information to Dr. Kennedy at Wake radiation to see if he is a candidate for theraspheres. He has now developed ascites but they think it may be due to the mitomycin chemo he had. Hard to tell what to do for all of us. One doctor says one thing and then another says something else. Trying to stay positive gets harder everyday. All the best to you and Charlie.
PatriceThanks so much for bringing me up to speed Kate ( + Jeff ) I loved the video of your Mum and her pets. What wonderful memories. There was a day when I could have read all these posts and been stoic about it all but those days are gone. I cry all the time reading other peoples stories. Thanks to all of you for sharing your joys, memories, and sorrow. what a wonderful community we have here! Every moment in life is precious and many of your stories have helped me to live in the now all the time. Patrice
Hi Liz- thanks for your post. Dave and I never had children but I absolutely know how proud your Mom would be of your accomplishments. Sounds silly, but I am proud of you! Keep her spirit forever in your heart and as you succeed in life as a wife, mother (if you choose)and I am certain as a daughter to your Dad.
Patrice
Hi Kate-what is your Mum’s name? I have looked all through your posts but can only find “my Mum” and I would love to connect a face with her but don’t know which face to look at. LOL Best to you-
PatriceOh what wonderful news Charlene. I am so happy that new treatments are available that can bring us all hope. hugs to you and John
Patrice & DaveDitto Charlene.! I want my Dad….he could fix anything, but I too will settle for all of you as your support has been most helpful during this horrible year.
PatriceTanoland-Dave’s cancer has only spread to his liver but he has several very large tumors. Bone scan is clear. His health is at best stable. Fatigue is his biggest problem. He sleeps many hours a day but he tries to sleep while I am at work so that we have quality time together in the evenings. He is on FUDR and Vinblastin right now trying to shrink the liver tumors so that he can have intrahepatic chemo or perhaps sirspheres. I try to keep positive and support Dave in whatever way I can. I will keep you and your sister in my thoughts. Patrice
