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Update on my husband Bill

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Posted 6/19/2012 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
Well today he had a barium enema.  Radiologist was surprised it was ordered by the doctor to "check if he is healed enough for reversal surgery".  The radiologist said it was really unusual to have a surgeon order a barium enema with x-rays for that.  Bill does not trust his surgeon very much but he was recommended by our primary care physician.  I have to admit the man usually looks like a deer stuck in headlights when you ask him a question!

Next Monday we meet with surgeon to discuss schedule for the reversal surgery.  I am completely stressed out with trying to learn new job that starts July 30th while contemplating Bill's surgery and the recuperation.  In addition my 18 year old grandson is moving in with us in August.  He can't afford the dorms at UNLV so he has to attend community college for freshman year and then transfer.....and us 61 year-olds are not used to having a teenager in the house!

So much stress, anxiety, and worry has my ulcer flaring up....feel like sh** myself!   On the plus side, Bill did make his decision about follow-up chemo.  He has decided against it and has told the kids.  He should be well enough by November to walk our daughter down the aisle for her wedding.  He is hoping he will be well enough to do 3 hours of crossing guard duty at the end of August for the new school year.  If he can go back to his part-time job, it will help his mood a lot I think.

So that is how we are this week.  Wishing my "vacation" didn't have to be 24/7 caregiving.

Posted 6/21/2012 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Oh hon, I wish I could reach out and hug you. Sounds like you do have a LOT going on at once, try to take a deep breath and find a silver lining? God is bringing your grandson to your home for a reason - you just have to wait and see what it is :)
Posted 6/21/2012 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like it's still a very hard time for you. I hope you can prioritize some things that help you w/stress -- whatever it is for you, exercise, watching silly movies, a night out w/friends, etc..

Hope you are both feeling OK about his decision re chemo.

Second opinions are always worth thinking about .... its' very important, and so much better when you can trust your surgeon.

Hang in.
Posted 6/21/2012 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
hope it all gets better for you! and who knows, the grandson may be a blessing in disquise! Maybe he can fill in on the housework/yardwork stuff Bill won't be able to do for a while.. Good luck :)
Posted 6/22/2012 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
     Oh wow, you're in my age group....I will be 66 in August.  I know exactly how you feel.  Just when we think we can sit back and enjoy life...boom...it throws you a curve ball.

     I haven't read your past posts, but I take it your husband has colon cancer?  We have a good friend who went through much the same thing a few years back.  It was a long recovery, but he is doing so much better these days.  He did go through the chemo though.  He had a colostomy for awhile and did not cope very well with it, but when he had it reversed things became much better.  He has gained back quite a bit of his lost weight too.

     As for the grandson moving in with you.  Just think, this too shall pass...lol.  When our daughter was going through a rough divorce eight years ago, we practically raised our two grandkids (aged 6 and 3 at the time) for two years, until she got her feet on the ground and met a wonderful man who treats our grandkids like his own (he has no children of his own).  Unfortunately, all the stress contributed greatly to my UP (proctitis) and I eventually needed surgery, but glad I had it.

     I wish you and your hubby the best.  Keep us updated.  If he is not happy with the surgeon, could he seek out another opinion?  I refused to go to a surgeon here in south Jersey and went to Philly for my operation.

Posted 6/23/2012 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all of you for the positive thoughts.  I am hoping that things won't go too badly with Danny here (grandson).  He could be either a great help or a great aggravation...he can get pretty moody sometimes.  He was raised by a single mom (battered wife for five years) and was only six months old when she finally left his dad.  But then my daughter became a magnet for losers...and Danny just started becoming very reclusive....add to that a thyroid condition that makes him a "big" boy.   It worked in his favor for football and wrestling...he even joined the tennis team.  He is a good kid but hard to "read".  Of course we love him but having been 2200 miles away since he was 3 means we don't really know him well.  He has stayed out of trouble, gotten good grades, and wants a career in criminal justice....pretty good accomplishments given his home environment.

Bill is feeling all right today.  He is even going to work on my '66 Chevy tomorrow...she doesn't like the heat and keeps trying to stall out if I put on the AC. 

Spent the whole day shopping grocery sales and then a couple of hours getting ready for my quilt meeting tomorrow.  I haven't done any quilting in months....need to get back to it because it does help me forget the rest of what we are dealing with.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Posted 6/24/2012 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Glad to here your making progress...anything is better then it was right? Glad to hear he is working on the car and getting up a bit.

about the Barium Enema. I had mine on tuesday and according to our office it is typical. I also had a CT scan and will have a Sigmoid Flexable something lol but my reversal is july 3rd and it will be 9 weeks post op...how many weeks has been bill post op?
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