UPDATE on ROD today at VA.....Thur. 10/10/13

[Ittybittygma]

Hi, didn't want to clog up the daily postings so will post here. Just wanted to let you all know what is going on. Life is good, God is great, and I think we will make it ok for awhile. Thanks again for your prayers..............Here is what I sent to all my kids.
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Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for all your prayers for both of us. Last night we were both so upset. Lab reports were way off on liver #s and other things. Not sure what derm was going to do today either about his skin cancer. Neither of us got much sleep. But..........read on. God is always at our side taking care of our needs.

Today went really well. Your prayers brought peace and hope and more knowledge of what was going on. We left the house about 11:30 am and didn’t get back until after 5 pm. Rod is snoozing in the chair right now and it is only 8 pm.

AT the first drs, the liver dr, Rod had gone back for vitals to be checked when Dr came out to find him. I told him where Rod was. He ask me if I wanted to come back too. I told him” Yes, please I would”. We talked as we walked and I told him Rod doesn’t usually want me there. The dr said it is important to have another person with you, to hear more and understand more of what is said. And it gives the patient support too and it allows the spouse or caregiver a chance to ask questions too.

When we found Rod, we headed to the drs office area. He told Rod he was so glad I had come in too. And then he explained to him what he told me. This am I told Rod if I went in with him, the dr wouldn’t yell at him so much for gaining weight. Glad dr understood the situation and at end of meeting told me to come back each time with him. Big relief to know what is going on. He answered all of our questions too and we talked about moving and VA up there in MO.

Very nice dr. Lab tests are way off so need to do more blood work 1st of Nov again. Dr thinks it may be coming from taking Tylenol so much for pain. Rod aches a lot from shoulder problems and leg pains too. Dr. said to back off the Tylenol and take Advil instead. Another dr (from Mayo) told him to take Tylenol. He said Tylenol affects the liver and the readings. Advil affects the kidneys but Rod doesn’t have any kidney problems so safer to go that route. He also took him off fish oil capsules. They have extra stuff in them we don’t need. Just a waste of money per him.

Dr wants him to start walking each day to lose some weight. He showed us a chart of his liver #’s over the past 10 yrs. They go up and down and all over but he said they correlate with his weight gain or loss too so thinks that may be a major factor. Fatty liver can be reversed with weight loss and eating properly. He said Rod shows no signs of hepatitis or cirrhosis, major worry with transplant pts. If the #’s don’t go back down, then they will do a biopsy of liver to see what is going on. He does want an ultrasound of liver just to compare to last ones done.

WE got out of there just in time for the farmer’s market on the bottom floor. We spent $6 and got so much stuff. Huge head of red leaf lettuce, 3 lemons, big bag of purple grapes, and a very heavy large butternut squash. Had fun. Heard they had strawberries but all gone before we got there. Guess they are there every thur in hallway. NOthing like produce shopping at the VA. LOL

Ran over to Wendy’s for lunch about 1:30 then went to VA little retail store. They have great prices on the 81 mg aspirin I take and Rod got some Advil (ibuprofen) and allergy meds too. Ran by pharmacy to get some of Rod’s meds and then off to Dermotology for Rod’s scrape and burn on side of his neck. He was last pt of the day so they locked us in and had to take a side exit to leave when he was done. We hit the streets right at 5pm. What a mess but we made it home safe and sound by 6. Long long day.

But we are both relieved a lot by what the drs said today. Neither problem was as serious as we thought. He starts the Efudex treatment for cancer and lip and rest of face and head tomorrow. So much fun. He will look greasy, then very red and badly burned, then crusty, and then finally with the final lotion, will have the smoothest, prettiest skin around. They want him to do that treatment every 6 months to kill any returning skin cancer cells. The one they scraped and burned today wasn’t as deep as they thought. The biopsy punch in the center took most of it so just had to scrape what was around the outside edge of it. He is really sore tonight tho.

Oh, before I forget. Please keep Rod’s nephew, Greg in your prayers (his sister Gloria’s son). He is only 30 and they found skin cancer on his face just below his eye. Gloria was so upset this am and texted Rod about it. Guess he posted to friends on Facebook and his sister, Krysta read it and called Gloria. Greg has lost lots of weight recently but he has cut out coke so thought it was just from that. Praying he is ok. Rod and Gloria can’t handle many more relatives dying from cancer so close together.

I need to scoot. Thanks again for your prayers and caring. May God bless you all today and all your tomorrows too. Love and hugs, Shirley and Rod

[suzette58]

Sounds like a long day. I cannot take Tylenol either because of my liver. Hang in there. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Rod.

Suzette

[Jules]

wow what a long day for you both but I'm so glad nothing was as bad as feared and that God brought you peace and your felt him very firmly by your side, continued prayers for you both and for Rods nephew......you will get through all this and we'll all be your cheerleaders, supporters, sounding boards....whatever you need xxxx

[QuiltGram8]

Thank you for sharing. Sometimes our minds can make things larger than life when we are full of anxiety. Glad the report was much better than you thought you were going to hear.

My DH has his appointment coming up on Oct 30th and we are nervous about the results, too. I am so glad you now have more hope.

Thank You for keeping us posted.

Velda

[Marilynsgrammy]

my goodness what a day.. glad you have so much info now...continued prayers...

[KATHYSQUILTS]

Shirley Mae.....

You sound much better. I'm happy the Dr was understanding & helped you.
Even when the news is difficult it'e better to know all the facts.
You both are in my prayers all day.

((((HUGS)))) Kathy

[purrfect-lady]

SHIRLEY MAE - thanks for the encouraging update on Rod! All good news! My Son-IL can't take Tylenol either because of liver issues. Will continue to pray for Rod's complete recovery, and also for your nephew. I'm so happy that you got to go in to talk to the doctor. They really do want another person there just for the reasons your doctor cited. I always went with my parents and now Bill and I go with each other - for anything other than routine stuff. When a person is feeling bad, they can't take in and understand all that's said. God bless!

[FarmChick]

Glad you got to go in with Rod. I always went in with my late DH. The doctors encouraged it as you found out. Usually when we got out, he had no idea what the doctor said, and I had all my notes. Best wishes to you both!

[cindyg]

It was worth that long day to get all the better news. I'm so glad you went in with Rod. Bless that doctor's heart - he really helped you along on that one. The Efudex doesn't sound like much fun but, hey, if it works......

[sharonkl]

Shirley Mae....so glad your day went much better than expected. God is in control. Hope things continue to go well for you and Rod.
Huge Hugs,
Sharon