40. Thursday, October 3, 2024

Ok. It’s time for an update.

The past week has been a challenge.

After Owen missed the super pill, Oncology gave us a new schedule and Owen was good the next day. But during the course of the next days, Owen’s energy tanked. He had to have been sleeping for 19-20 hours of the day. His appetite disappeared, he started getting a fever, and he developed red spots on his legs. So yesterday, I contacted Owen’s oncologist who advised me to take him into the ER so that doctors could start tests and get him fluids.

We left and got to the ER a little before 1500.

We didn’t leave till right before midnight.

Blood tests were done and most of the results were good, no sign of infection. However, the ER docs said that Owen’s kidneys showed injury. That is a definite red flag. And Owen managed to stump all the doctors on the red dots and fever. They have no idea what the red dots are and what they came from.

So the instructions upon discharge is that Oncology wanted to see him. I told the supervising Doc that Owen already had an appointment on the 10th (next week) with his oncologist but the on call oncology team said he needed to come in this week.

Owen’s appetite seemed to come back in the ER. It sucked because we couldn’t do anything about it. So poor guy was dreaming French Toast at IHOP but had to lay in the ER bed for 8 hours. But as soon as we were discharged, I took him there. We were there for maybe 20 min. Enough time for him to feel like he got what he wanted. We were cold and tired so we left in a hurry.

So I am waiting to get a time for Owen to get in to oncology.

I am going to guess that Owen’s chemo plan will change. The oncologist took the time to really lay it in thick that he wanted Owen to get the Optune (the electrodes he would have to wear 18 hours of the day). Owen is not happy about that. I know it’s inconvenient, but I will always lean towards something that will give him more time. It’s still very much a sensitive subject.

My experience last night in the ER was on the traumatic side. And it wasn’t due to Owen.

While we were waiting for Owen’s blood results, there were several announcements for a trauma team. I then heard the most horrific sounds of a man screaming in pain. When I looked at Owen and asked him what that was, he said to me, “death.”

This screaming went on for what felt like forever. And I am still hearing it.

I am amazed at healthcare providers and staff who have the ability to stay calm in a time of sheer chaos and panic. I have no part of me that has an ability to do this. The second shift nurse taking care of Owen said that the ER was where she wanted to be. I am just so thankful for the men and women who put their all into saving lives. They don’t ever get enough credit.

It’s noon and I am feeling like I am far behind in everything. But Owen is up and seems to have more energy than me at this moment. And that is great news.