UPDATE: As of today, Dave has been in the hospital for seven days. He was admitted with a high fever of 103.5 and severe pain in his left kidney, stomach and chest, as well as shortness of breath. Initial x-rays and CT scans reveled fluid in his left lung. On May 22, David had a procedure called Thoracentesis in which a needle is inserted through the back of the chest wall into the pleural space (a space that exists between the two lungs and the interior chest wall) to remove fluid built up in Davids left lung. The left lung was drained of 800 ccs of fluid that was collected for analysis. After the fluid was analyzed, the cause of the fluid in the left lung was determined to be caused by the cancer itself rather than pneumonia. On May 23, Dave had another procedure called a Bronchoscopy. This procedure requires a pulmonologist using a thin viewing instrument called a bronchoscope which is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, to evaluate Davids lungs and airways including the voice box and vocal cord, trachea, and many branches of bronchi. Samples of the lung tissue were biopsied through the bronchoscope for examination in the laboratory. The biopsy revealed a common staph infection which David has been treated for with antibiotics, although he is still in isolation. With all of these issues resolved, we remain in the hospital with the one issue that we cant quite seem to control, and that is Daves extreme pain levels. As the cancer progresses, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Dave to find comfort. The pain he is experiencing is debilitating and he wont be released from the hospital until we find the right combination of pain medications to allow him to be comfortable at home. This is by far the most frustrating issue and also the most difficult to witness. Picture watching a loved one being tortured inches from you and knowing there isnt anything you can do for them but watch helplessly and pray that the pain soon subsides. Then picture, yourself being stabbed repeatedly and imagine what that must feel like. This has been our world for the last month. On a positive note, however, Daves medical team here at UCI are terrific and are steadily and tirelessly trying to find the right combination to get Dave home. Aside from the various meds, we are also entering the palliative care side of this journey, where it is more about finding comfort for David rather than a cure. Once we get Daves pain under control, and make sure there are no infections in his body, we will then be able to continue finding ways to slow down and yes, even find treatments that will provide a complete response from this hateful cancer. Until then, we ask once again that you keep David in your thoughts & prayers. We pray for strength for his body that he might be allowed once again, to continue with his target therapies and inhibitors and most importantly, we pray for the right combination of pain meds to bring David home to his family. Love & light, Jen
Posted on: Wed, 28 May 2014 04:51:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015