Saturday, March 14, 2009

This coming Monday will mark the halfway point of Todd's treatment, and so far Dr. Yom is very pleased with the way things are going. On Thursday, she said he looked great (for where he is in the treatment plan) and said she couldn't see or feel the tumors anymore. (And "NO!, we are not stopping treatment. That has proven to be a VERY bad idea!"). His face looks thinner, I notice his neck more, as it looks sunburned; his voice is huskier, quieter (I have to buy a bell so he can ring it when he is in the bed and needs something. A friend suggested a china or glass bell, so I can smash it when this is over. Yes!). He moves slower, more cautiously. He seems fragile to me, and then he is his old self for a while and cracks a joke and all is good!

Todd has been very tired this past week. Constipation (a result of the drugs he's on for pain and nausea) comes and goes, and unfortunately he seems to be experiencing it more often, which means he feels too bloated to eat or drink much without vomiting. Nasty business. The amount he ate yesterday was miniscule. He is currently on 9 medications, including a patch, the easiest of all to handle, since he doesn't need to swallow it. Swallowing has become painful, as expected, these last several days and Dr. Yom said it will only get worse. Todd said it is unbelievably painful to burp.

Today I took Dash and teammate Derek to their soccer game over at Tesoro at 8:20 am. It was REALLY cold and windy. Luckily I had the dog blanket in the car to wrap up in (what's a little more dog hair, I say). Because they were really short of players, Dash was pressed into service as the keeper, so it was an exciting game (he did pretty well for being totally inexperienced, but no, he did not save the game. They lost 3-2).

Carolyn is in Lemoore, down near Fresno for her Association Cup soccer tournament. I was originally going to take her, but felt more comfortable staying close to home, so her coach kindly offered to take her with his daughter. I can't put the burden of caring for Todd on the kids. It's not a physical burden at all -- it's the mental worries (Is he eating / drinking / medicated enough? How is he feeling?) -- the constant followup that I try not to do to constantly, for his sake and my sanity. The kids are concerned, and frequently check in with dad, but's it's not at the same level or consistency, nor should it be.

This coming weeks brings his second (and last) chemo infusion. The doctors said this should not be a problem -- it will be the fatigue brought on by the cumulative effects of the radiation and the increasing problems with swallowing (eating and drinking) that will be the concerns. We will see how much longer he will be on solid foods. I have filled small custard cups with a few spoonfuls of various things (risotto, pasta salad, sweet potatoes, soup, tiny cubes of chicken, vanilla pudding) and set them on a tray in the refrigerator so he can "self serve" whatever appeals to him when he gets hungry and I'm not home. He said food is starting to taste very bland, so between that and the frequent bloating, he is not eating much.

Having drivers this week was wonderful. Glen drove on Monday, Roni and Wednesday, and Ken took the Friday afternoon shift. I drove for the Tuesday and Thursday noon appointments and the Friday morning one so I could be there for meetings with the oncologists and the nutritionist.
The nutritionist suggested papaya (fresh, or 100% juice) to help thin the thick oral mucus he is starting to experience. Last week she gave us a recipe for "Power Pudding" for constipation: 1 c applesauce, 1 c ground flaxseed and 3/4 c of prune juice. Dosage: 2 T followed by a big glass of warm water. Ug! Only works if you're not too bloated to drink the warm water with it.