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Sorry to be away for a while, but between Thanksgiving and a fairly rapid decrease in my strength and abilities resulting in a more sudden start to my work disability than I expected, I have been overwhelmed for the last couple of weeks.
I started my disability last Tuesday, which requires tons of paperwork. I also saw the oncologist for Zometa on Tuesday. For some reason, we elected not to make a Hospice referral at that time, thinking that I don’t really need help at home. More on that later.
Thanksgiving was wonderful. My #2 daughter flew in early on Tuesday morning and she and her sisters made their first Thanksgiving meal on Thursday while I looked on from the recliner in the family room. It was fabulous! It definitely ranked in the top 5 Thanksgiving meals by quality of food AND family enjoyment that I have ever had.
Graduate shool daughter headed back very early Saturday morning and I hit the recliner to rest and recuperate. However, for some reason my pain started escalating to a remarkable degree and by the time I went to bed Saturday night I felt like I was dying. Everywhere. My temperature was up a little bit, but no fever and there was nothing else to tell me what was going on. I skipped dinner and hit the sheets, waking up Sunday not much better. Sunday my severe pain had localized to my left mid back - a new spot for me - and I called the doctor on call to see what to do. We increased my pain meds and today that new pain is the only pain that is bothering me and it is manageable. But I called the oncologist’s office this morning to get new pain prescriptions and to ask the for the Hospice referral. They will be out Wednesday and the next phase of this disease starts for me.
I don’t know what happened this weekend and I admit to being scared - afraid that everything would spin out of control and I would die hard, fast and furious. I didn’t, of course, but I’m looking forward to being scooped up by Hospice and their support and services.
The overwhelms seemed to have passed for this time. I hope the next update is to report a smooth transition from active care to Hospice and best supportive care only.
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Hi Lisa - As always, it's good to hear from you and catch up. It's certainly understandable that you're feeling a bit overwhelmed - you've got an awful lot on your plate right now. And speaking of plates, it's wonderful that you were able to have such a lovely Thanksgiving. I think it's one of the best holidays of the year, and I'm glad yours was so special.
December 4, 2009 - 12:12pmPain and fear, of course, are never good, and your honesty about what you've recently been dealing with is appreciated. While there's no way I can experience what you felt during that time, I can tell it was a difficult period that caused you a lot of concern. I can also tell that you've taken things into your own hands with the hospice referral and are continuing to move forward in living with lung cancer. We're all benefiting from the information you're sharing with us, and I'm sure you will provide us with a lot of insight about hospice care. It may be past Thanksgiving, but we are definitely thankful you share so much.
Take good care,
Pat
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