We have returned to Texas for a short time to see family and friends. We arrived Friday the 24th after visiting with family and friends along the way down. We are ever so greatful to Jerry and Eva for letting us stay with them for a short time.
OK.. Here is the update...
Michael had the bone scan last week before we left Kansas. He watched as they took the photos. The results are less than what we hoped for. The cancer has spread to his bones and it doesn't look promising.
We have been most disappointed with the VA since originally he was notified by mail that he had cancer and then the next letter went into detail as to what type and how far the cancer had spread. The doctor had Michael's phone number and so does the VA. The doctor chose to just sent a letter to let him knowing that he had cancer. I don't know about any of you that are viewing this but it makes me just a little bit mad that he didn't even have the courtesy to contact us by phone or make an appointment with us to let us know in person of this devistating condition. Michael had to call him on his cell phone at home and ask him to see if we could come in the next day to find out more information. No mention was said during that meeting about talking with an oncologist or radiologist. We went to the advocate and complained for the second time in as many days.
We have been reading articles online and doing research on this disease. The docs have given us no timeline as to how much time he has left.. guess only God knows that information. The articles state about 2-6 months. I am always hoping and praying for more time.
So time to get things in order and get some things accomplished. I am grateful for all the prayers and well wishes being sent our way.
Will take the time to write more tomorrow if I can get a few minutes. We are down here in Terlingua for only a week and I hope that we can see all the people that we need to before we have to head back north for more tests. On our way down here, the VA called and they are now going to fee base him out to an outside doctor to get radiation and other services. Maybe they should have done that back in Feb when the tests came back as questionable and the machines that were needed to do the tests at the VA were down. TOO LITTLE TO LATE PEOPLE!!!!
God Bless and Take care.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Final Word- For now
Have been at the VA in Wichita, KS for the past three days. We had the pelvic CT scan on Monday and got the letter on Tuesday. Michael has Stage 4 metastatic carcinoma which has invaded the lower part of his back. The bone scan has been ordered for Aug 22nd. We will be on the road back to Texas on the 23rd for the week. We have to be back in Wichita the first week of September.
The doc that diagnosed him with cancer is going to try to treat him with hormone therapy. He started taking the hormone pills on the 4th of this month and after 30 days he will start getting shots every three months. During that three months, he will have to get his blood tested to make sure that the PSA levels are going down.
We have requested an oncologist and a radiologist to consult with the urologist on this as we are trying to find out what we can do to kill the cancer that is already in his body.
The surgeon up in Kansas City called Michael today and cancelled his surgery until he can get the cancer in check. Michael was considerably upset but understood when the doc told him that if he did open him up, he would not be leaving the hospital.
The good thing is that they have not given him a time frame as to how long he has to live. We are hoping and praying that it is a good long time but only God knows.
Five years ago this evening, I put my husband John into hospice. He passed away 6 days later.
August has not been a real good month for me. All we ask is that you pray for Michael if you are a praying person.
He wants to have an Irish wake while he is up here to say goodbye to all his friends. We will plan that when we return. Will also see if any of the docs will follow this for Michael down in Texas so that he will feel more comfortable and at home. But for right now, we will be staying in KS as it is closer for him to go to the VA for treatment.
The doc that diagnosed him with cancer is going to try to treat him with hormone therapy. He started taking the hormone pills on the 4th of this month and after 30 days he will start getting shots every three months. During that three months, he will have to get his blood tested to make sure that the PSA levels are going down.
We have requested an oncologist and a radiologist to consult with the urologist on this as we are trying to find out what we can do to kill the cancer that is already in his body.
The surgeon up in Kansas City called Michael today and cancelled his surgery until he can get the cancer in check. Michael was considerably upset but understood when the doc told him that if he did open him up, he would not be leaving the hospital.
The good thing is that they have not given him a time frame as to how long he has to live. We are hoping and praying that it is a good long time but only God knows.
Five years ago this evening, I put my husband John into hospice. He passed away 6 days later.
August has not been a real good month for me. All we ask is that you pray for Michael if you are a praying person.
He wants to have an Irish wake while he is up here to say goodbye to all his friends. We will plan that when we return. Will also see if any of the docs will follow this for Michael down in Texas so that he will feel more comfortable and at home. But for right now, we will be staying in KS as it is closer for him to go to the VA for treatment.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
More Bad News
Well we got the wheelchair for Michael yesterday and it fits him fine. The therapist told him that he should walk as much as he can because if he doesn't, he will lose muscle in his legs and won't be able to walk.
Our day started at an early 5 am this morning. Had to get the truck to the shop as we had another u joint going out on the right side passenger front tire. Got it there by 745 am. My sister picked us up and we went around town doing stuff that had to get done. Got back over to the dealership around 4PM to pick up the truck and they were still waiting for parts. But he did tell me that there was another part broken that they hadn't anticipated on. And neither did we. All in all, the repair bill will be 1200 dollars. Nothing like a kick in the head on top of it all.
So we ended up having to get a rental to get home. Came home and Michael crashed in the chair. Checked out about a half hour after we got back here. Too much for him.
He spoke with his sister this morning and was told that she had whooping cough.. Good old Pertusis. Not a good thing since it is very contagious. Hope that no one else contracted it. We are getting our booster shot before we head south.
We are still breathing and have a good outlook and I guess that is all we can hope for right now. Praying daily for good results.
God Bless and Take Care.
Lynn
Our day started at an early 5 am this morning. Had to get the truck to the shop as we had another u joint going out on the right side passenger front tire. Got it there by 745 am. My sister picked us up and we went around town doing stuff that had to get done. Got back over to the dealership around 4PM to pick up the truck and they were still waiting for parts. But he did tell me that there was another part broken that they hadn't anticipated on. And neither did we. All in all, the repair bill will be 1200 dollars. Nothing like a kick in the head on top of it all.
So we ended up having to get a rental to get home. Came home and Michael crashed in the chair. Checked out about a half hour after we got back here. Too much for him.
He spoke with his sister this morning and was told that she had whooping cough.. Good old Pertusis. Not a good thing since it is very contagious. Hope that no one else contracted it. We are getting our booster shot before we head south.
We are still breathing and have a good outlook and I guess that is all we can hope for right now. Praying daily for good results.
God Bless and Take Care.
Lynn
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Not So Good News
As we have told the family and a few close friends about our news, I can now share it with you all.
Michael had his biopsy last Friday and was notified on Wednesday that he has prostate cancer. He has a bone scan scheduled for Aug 22nd and a pelvic CT scheduled for Aug 15th. Both of these will be done at the VA. As soon as we got the letter, we went to the hospital and started doing what I do best. Being an advocate. I went to each department that would be involved and made appts according to our schedule instead of theirs.
We are planning on coming back to the Terlingua area after his appt on Aug 22nd. We can't stay long there as Michael has a pre op appt on Sept 5th up in Kansas City. They are planning on doing his back surgery on Sept 20th but we are not sure if they will do it after they find out that he has prostate cancer. We are going to keep the appts and hope that they can still proceed with the back surgery.
Michael is in terrible pain now. He has been walking with the the walker all the time now. His legs are having problems supporting him. On this coming Monday, he is being measured for a wheel chair. He was told by the VA that he doesn't qualify for a motorized wheelchair as he hasn't lost a limb. I am not sure that a manual wheelchair will work out in the desert but we will find out.
Hope everyone is well and good around the US and God Bless and Take Care.
Please pray for us as that is about all that can be done right now.
Michael had his biopsy last Friday and was notified on Wednesday that he has prostate cancer. He has a bone scan scheduled for Aug 22nd and a pelvic CT scheduled for Aug 15th. Both of these will be done at the VA. As soon as we got the letter, we went to the hospital and started doing what I do best. Being an advocate. I went to each department that would be involved and made appts according to our schedule instead of theirs.
We are planning on coming back to the Terlingua area after his appt on Aug 22nd. We can't stay long there as Michael has a pre op appt on Sept 5th up in Kansas City. They are planning on doing his back surgery on Sept 20th but we are not sure if they will do it after they find out that he has prostate cancer. We are going to keep the appts and hope that they can still proceed with the back surgery.
Michael is in terrible pain now. He has been walking with the the walker all the time now. His legs are having problems supporting him. On this coming Monday, he is being measured for a wheel chair. He was told by the VA that he doesn't qualify for a motorized wheelchair as he hasn't lost a limb. I am not sure that a manual wheelchair will work out in the desert but we will find out.
Hope everyone is well and good around the US and God Bless and Take Care.
Please pray for us as that is about all that can be done right now.
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