Update I never knew such a day could be so full or so overwhelming. We started with an appointment at 9:00 am at the Cancer Center. Instead of bouncing through in his signature green scrubs, he wore a patient wristband this time and had to wait to be called to enter an area that was a normal part of work turf only two short weeks ago. The presumptive diagnosis was confirmed. Large B Cell Lymphoma. ( this is considered good news, a very common and treatable kind) We were presented with a treatment that needed to start today. It will include at least 6 cycles of a combination of aggressive chemo and Rituxan. The nature of the chemo requires it to be administered in the hospital for 96 hours straight. For the rest of this year our schedule will be hospital for 5 days, home 17 days, hospital 5 days, home 17 days, etc., continuing for at least 6 cycles. This is a curative approach and we expect him to be cancer free by years end. However, this is going to an incredibly rough road. The chemo is cumulative and Im told the roughest days will be at home inbetween the chemo. Its literally a roller coaster with the goal being recovering enough the 17 days in between to do it all over again. His such a sweetie he asked if he could work between treatments. The doctor said, Have you forgot what you do for a living? As a respiratory therapist you are on the front line of every bad germ coming at you and you will have no immunity. He will be out of work for the duration of his treatment. We were able to keep his 10:30 appointment to establish care with Lindsey Thompson who provided several hours of support through acupuncture, moxa, and nutrition counseling. She will be an important part of our team and will follow Bob and adjust the adjunctive treatment plan accordingly. By then the hospital was calling trying to find us. We checked in at 1:50 and at 2:00 he had a bone marrow biopsy. It was awful watching him endure that. Next was a PICC line placement. He doesnt have enough room in his chest to put in a traditional port so it will be IV arm access until the tumor shrinks and space opens up in his chest. Right after PICC they did an echocardiogram which did show fluid around his heart caused by the tumor burden. He continues to have fluid in his right lung, also by product of the tumor. Next was an abdominal CT. As with the bone biopsy, the CT will help stage this cancer. BTW--We are hoping for a Stage 1. Finally at 9:30 pm the big guns came out. So far, so good. He is sleeping now. Work of breathing was getting very difficult today and supplemental oxygen is now required. We feel so incredibly loved and supported and I wish I could talk to each one of you, answer all your calls and texts. But, Ive never been so overwhelmed and I wont make it unless I learn to accept the love and help that is being offered, a position Im not very good at. Wow, this is a long post! Sorry. If youre still reading please know that we have never felt so loved and supported. This came out of left field. Exactly two weeks ago he did 3 hours of yard work, washed and detailed our car, and did 40 minutes on the treadmill and the full Nautilus... all in the same afternoon. Today he couldnt walk more than a few feet without being hungry for air. Tonight Im struggling with Why? Why such an incredibly kind and loving man has to endure such a journey? Why do our kids have to witness such a trial? Why cant someone just wake us up from this surreal reality? Why are our co-workers now our caregivers? Why cant the timing be different? First grandbaby coming in the next two weeks, Pauls trip abroad on the horizon and Spencers two week camp starting Tuesday...... Pretty much this just blows. I pray for strength. I pray for healing. I pray for insight. All I ask is you pray for Bob Betts. Peace.
Posted on: Sat, 16 Aug 2014 06:47:51 +0000
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