Kevin finally moved to the 8th floor on Friday. (new rm # 811 & phone # 713-834-8719) Approvals from multiple departments in addition to our insurance were required and the paperwork took longer than we had hoped. He did get a little PT on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but the full program started today – 1 hr of PT, 1 hr of OT & 1 hr of group therapy. On Thursday & Friday he experienced a couple bouts of nausea. At first he thought maybe he overdid things a bit but the following time it happened he had only been resting. He has also been battling an urinary infection, likely caused by incomplete emptying of the bladder. The rehab nurses were astonished that the oncology nurses had not performed a bladder scan – which on Friday night determined his bladder was way backed up. After an internal catheterization and draining of 1.5 liters everybody was much happier all around. He is now on an every-4-hrs catheterization program round the clock. In addition it was decided that a full bowel cleansing was also required prior to starting the bowel management program. These guys are serious about their bladder and bowel functions – something most of us take for granted.
We had a nice little birthday party at the hospital for him on Sunday – even had some good
participation from the staff. After we finished up our cake we took him back to his room only to find the staff had also brought him a cake. This was then followed by a timely visit from the dietician who, after reviewing his menu items, mentioned he needed to start eating more protein and less sugar :) Apparently he is still losing weight even though he has been eating 3 good meals plus a late afternoon banana split each day. They have him currently at 135 lbs – which is alarmingly thin for a 6-ft tall man. We shared the blog entry with him and he definitely enjoyed it, adding that soon after the picture was taken of him on his brand new 10-speed he rode it down the street and ran straight into a parked car then limped timidly back home. He claims he was watching for moving cars in the distance…I’m sure there’s a Chinese proverb that sums that one up. Anyone know it?
Therapy sessions went well today, but he did say it was pretty hard. PT has him working on his trunk muscles i.e. abs – essentially they had him sit up in bed and hold the position without the use of his arms/hands. OT had him brush his teeth, wash his face and generally clean up a bit. Group therapy? well, he would only say “it was interesting”. It’s nice Kevin is not having any pain issues any more. He is in good spirits, very alert, but is also apprehensive about what lies ahead.
We had a nice little birthday party at the hospital for him on Sunday – even had some good
participation from the staff. After we finished up our cake we took him back to his room only to find the staff had also brought him a cake. This was then followed by a timely visit from the dietician who, after reviewing his menu items, mentioned he needed to start eating more protein and less sugar :) Apparently he is still losing weight even though he has been eating 3 good meals plus a late afternoon banana split each day. They have him currently at 135 lbs – which is alarmingly thin for a 6-ft tall man. We shared the blog entry with him and he definitely enjoyed it, adding that soon after the picture was taken of him on his brand new 10-speed he rode it down the street and ran straight into a parked car then limped timidly back home. He claims he was watching for moving cars in the distance…I’m sure there’s a Chinese proverb that sums that one up. Anyone know it?Therapy sessions went well today, but he did say it was pretty hard. PT has him working on his trunk muscles i.e. abs – essentially they had him sit up in bed and hold the position without the use of his arms/hands. OT had him brush his teeth, wash his face and generally clean up a bit. Group therapy? well, he would only say “it was interesting”. It’s nice Kevin is not having any pain issues any more. He is in good spirits, very alert, but is also apprehensive about what lies ahead.
Posts
2 comments:
I saw your post on Leroy's blog today and you mentioned Kevin's battle with melanoma. As I scan Kevin's blog, I am in awe of his and your determination to fight the "beast". It is inspiring! I will add you to my prayer list and ask for God's mercy and healing power to be given to you all.
I am Stage IIIb with melanoma. Initially diagnosed in 2001. Have been so blessed that it has not spread to internal organs inspite of 5 recurrences on my face...7 surgeries, 4 skin grafts, interferon, radiation, a vaccine and now GMCSF. Again, I am blessed.
I will hope and pray for Kevin's improvement. The strength and will as exhibited by you both is awesome to see. Blessings and prayers.
Al Cato
Roswell, Georgia
Read your comments about Kevin's dietitian and his weight. I'm sure he has all the suggestions he needs, but I'll toss in my $0.02 just in case. Some perma-slim guys at a college I attended used to drink whey protein powder mixed with flavored Carnation instant breakfast+whole milk in their efforts to bulk-up for their team sports (as their beverage in addition to every regular meal).
I used it for my pregnancy when I had little interest in solid food/protein sources. (1 mid-sized stadium cup of the drink nursed in the a.m. and a modest solid food meal later in the day helped me meet the doc's 60g protein recommendation...and it kept the stomach relatively light/settled through the rest of the day.) I couldn't go as far as adding stuff like banana, egg, etc. to the mixture, but those are other options some find tasty/adding more bang to the concoction.
Post a Comment