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Thursday 10 September 2020

Health Update 2 - Some Good News

I'm happy to be able to report some good news about my husband's health.

First, he is home from the hospital after having his esophageal stent put in place, and it is working as it should. He is still in the process of switching over from liquids to soft foods, and will have to stay on soft foods as long as he has the stent. But it allows him a wider variety of nutrition and has reduced his nausea.

Second, and probably even more important on the good news front, is that he had a bone scan while in hospital for the stent, and it has showed no cancer in his back or any of his bones. That is a great relief. His fairly severe back pain is being addressed with proper pain medication, and, while his doctor must now begin the process of finding out what's causing the pain, he is comfortable for now.

It is amazing how much energy and brainpower it takes to deal with constant pain and/or nausea. My husband was sleeping or resting almost all the time over the last several months. Now he is able to be awake almost the whole day, and the times he does nod off are more because he is losing sleep when he wakes up to take pain medication a couple of times a night, and then sit upright for awhile to avoid reflux in his throat.

I only wish -- and wish it fervently -- that everyone who has chronic pain could find relief from it, because it so negatively affects quality of life.

For now, we are trying to get rested up for the next steps in my husband's treatment. And we're trying to make our days as normal as possible. Because if we let the days slip away in unhappiness and worry, we'll lose out on the good that's actually remaining to us.

Thank you, my wonderful friends, for your continued good wishes and listening ears. 

I hope to be able to write about some other topics in the near future. It feels like I'll be able to do that again soon.

Some kitten pictures would not go amiss, would they? Enjoy.











64 comments:

crafty cat corner said...

I am with you all of the way. With Tom and his terminal illness we have good days and bad days. floods of tears and despair one day and determination to be happy on others, it's difficult. My blog suffers as a result as when I'm negative I can think of nothing to post and when I'm positive I can do it. All I can say is make the most of every day and do what you want, don't worry too much about silly things because they don't matter in the grand scheme of things. We go out for meals a lot, a thing we never used to do but it gets us out and seeing life.
Lots and lots of love and hugs to you,
Briony
x

gz said...

Good, small steps. Kittens are fun. Cats can care for their staff too, they know when it's needed

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I am so glad that you wrote this update; you have been on my mind since your last post. It is good to read that the news is hopeful and you and your husband are are in a more comfortable place now. Write when you can and when you really want to do a post. We will look forward to it.

Bless you, dear Jenny.

Love those precious kitties. They are the cutest baby animals.

Elephant's Child said...

WONDERFUL, wonderful news.
Thank you. I am so glad for you and your family.
And cute kittens never go astray.

John M said...

Glad to hear your husband is better. My wife is in almost constant pain while she waits for back surgery. She mostly sleeps all the time too.

e said...

Hugs from Florida to you both.

Charlotte (MotherOwl) said...

Thank you for taking the time to update and thanks for good news, constant pain is soo tiring, so I hope you find out what's causing it. I still hold both of you in my prayers.

jenny_o said...

You are so right, Briony. I know you have been travelling this road for quite awhile now. Lots of love to you too. Thanks for your good wishes.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, gz - those little steps are important too.

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your kindness, Arleen. You write straight from your heart.

jenny_o said...

Thank you for all your kindness and your listening ears, my friend.

jenny_o said...

I hope your wife is able to have her surgery soon, John. It's hard having that much pain.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, e. I hope you are doing okay there in Florida. And Lukas too.

jenny_o said...

Thank you so much, Charlotte. You are always so kind.

Bonnie said...

Thank you for letting us know. I'm so glad to hear there's some improvement. One day at a time. I'm keeping you both in my prayers. I always love the kitten pictures! xxx

dinthebeast said...

I feel that you are wise to try and appreciate the time you have at any time at all, much less when you feel you might not have as much of it as you had hoped.
I am a big fan of modern medicine, and have high hopes for them to be able to help your husband even more than just mitigating the pain.
Be good to yourself, please, that is as important as helping your husband,

-Doug in Sugar Pine

Joan (Devon) said...

I've been thinking about you both since your last post and this update is good to hear. What a relief you must both be feeling with this happy news. Yes, continual chronic pain takes over and sleep is always welcome if only for a short time.

Take care Jenny and there's no rush to get back as we'll still be here.

Diane Henders said...

Awww, the kittens are adorable. Should I be concerned that I find kittens cuter than human babies?

I'm glad to hear you've had a bit of good news, and that your husband has a respite from the pain. Keeping you in my thoughts...

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your kind comment, as always, Bonnie. I hope your husband is doing better. It is a great worry, I know.

Anonymous said...

I'm please to hear your good news. There are some very cute kitten photos.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Doug; we will know more next week when we see the chemo doctor. Chemo has come a long way but I worry because of the spread to other organs that he has already had. But we have no choice but to forge ahead. How are you doing, yourself?

jenny_o said...

It's good to hear from you, Joan - I know you know about chronic pain. Sleep is elusive and always a respite when it comes.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Diane; I appreciate your thoughts. Kittens are SO cute, aren't they?!

Red said...

It's good that there is some recovery in your husband's health.

Joanne Noragon said...

There's a mighty big crew out here, cheering his on!

messymimi said...

Praying for you both.

River said...

This is excellent news! I'm so happy to have read this :) :)
Love the kitties too.

Cherie said...

I am so pleased that the pain is under control. Pain is the hardest thing to cope with isn't it. Poor man, and poor you as it is just as hard watching the one you love suffer. Sending you both a gentle hug. xx

kylie said...

Extra quality of life is a very good thing!
Those kittens 😊😭

Steve Reed said...

Well, thank goodness for good news! I'm so glad your husband is doing better and he's feeling less pain. What a huge relief to both of you. Love the kittens, of course!

LL Cool Joe said...

Nice to get back to blogging and read some good news. My mother suffered with terrible back pain most of her life and sometimes I wonder if that's why she was such a bad tempered bitch most of the time, because she was in pain. Sorry for using the "b" word.

Marie Smith said...

My friend has kidney cancer. She has had various treatments and her pain is now under control. She wants to focus on living now, doing and experiencing things. Her quality of life is so much better with the pain under control.

I wish continued good news for your husband! Take care you two.

37paddington said...

Dearest jenny, please do not feel the need to write about other topics to entertain us, if that's not truly what you are feeling and processing. We are here because we want with all our hearts to support you and your husband. I am happy to hear he is feeling less nausea and is able to be better nourished. Back pain is the worst, I remember when my husband suffered from it and could not get out of bed on his own. It took a long time for the source of the pain to be diagnosed as osteomyelitis, an infection of two of his vertebrae, which required IV medication in a hospital setting. It wasn't discovered till he had an MRI. If your husband hasn't had one of those on his spine, perhaps they can take a look? I send love and strength to you. It's awful to have to discover that we are stronger than we knew.

jenny_o said...

I'm glad to have had some good news to pass along. The days are still a struggle but not the same as before.

jenny_o said...

Yes, it certainly has helped.

jenny_o said...

I see that, and I'm very grateful!

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Mimi.

jenny_o said...

It's good to have good news for a change. I thought you might enjoy those kittens :)

jenny_o said...

Pain really does drain a person. Makes everything else worse. Hugs received, thank you :)

jenny_o said...

Indeed it is.
I need to find some puppy pictures to post.

jenny_o said...

Yes, we were very relieved. He's still having bad days but we are no longer stuck in those particular bad circumstances, at least.

jenny_o said...

Her pain couldn't have helped, that's for sure. But some people turn it inward, and others outward. I'm glad to see you back, Joey. I hope you're feeling improved.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Marie - I wish your friend well and am glad her pain is under control now. It makes such a difference.

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your listening ear, 37p - it's much appreciated. Interesting about your husband's back pain. I will keep that in mind as our GP starts to investigate my husband's pain. That won't start until his telephone appointment a week from now, unfortunately - the doctor is on vacation. Ugh. Waiting is hard.

Susan said...

Whoa, I may have clicked on publish before I was ready. I am delighted to hear your good news. While your husband gets built up, you have a little breathing room. Smart move choosing to fill it with pleasant things. Puppies and kittens are always a good idea.

Mary said...

Such good news to hear that your husband has had some pain relief and is able to get some additional nutrition now the stent is in place. As you say, chronic pain is beyond unbearable. Folks who have never experienced it might not be able to comprehend how completely it takes over one's life, as well as the life of those who love them. Sending good thoughts to both of you as decisions are made about ongoing treatment.

jenny_o said...

Breathing room - yes, that's how we're looking at it. Thanks, Susan.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Mary. It sounds like you know a thing or two about chronic pain. It really is debilitating.

baili said...

my precious friend Jenny
it is hard to define how reliving it is to learn that your husband is not on the edge of serious disease and cancer has not touched his bone ,what a relief i can imagine
i hope doctors will learn soon what is the reason behind his backache then

i am grateful to lord that he ease your pain and worries regarding health of your loved one
may he recover soon and get his regular food to feel stronger ,amen!
rest well dear friend ,sending lots and lots of positive energy and healing thoughts with big hugs !
thinking of you !

SpikesBestMate said...

It's lovely to hear this news, Jenny, and you must be so relieved that things look better and brighter for you. Long may it continue. As always, my thoughts are with you both.

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

A little good news is exactly what we needed. We'll keep on praying for a lot of good news in the future!
Take care, Jenny. Both you and your husby. Our thoughts are with you always!
And those kittens were just what I needed today!

Mr. Shife said...

I am glad to read the good news, jenny_o. Take care and best wishes to you and your hubby.

baili said...

thinking of you my friend with heart filled with prays !
may lord keep you within the circle of his blessings always!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

You and your husband are in my thoughts and I am praying for good news. Sending a virtual hug.

Marie Smith said...

Thinking of you, Jenny, and miss you. I hope things are going well for you both now.

Joan (Devon) said...

Thinking of you both Jenny, hope no news is good news. Take care.

jenny_o said...

Thank you for your kind wishes and thoughts, baili - I appreciate them so much.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, SBM - we try to look on the bright side and it was good to be able to pass that on to everyone.

jenny_o said...

Thank you, Diane - I hope for more good news in the future too.

jenny_o said...

Thanks, Mr. Shife - best wishes are gratefully received.

jenny_o said...

Thank you again, baili, and for checking up on me :)

jenny_o said...

Thanks so much, Arleen. I caught that hug just before it sailed past :)

jenny_o said...

Thanks for checking up again, Marie. Things have slowed down a bit here.

jenny_o said...

Thanks for checking up, Joan. How have you been? I wish you had a blog where I could check up on you too!