Dave Update- February 18, 2017

Family and Friends, Dave was released from the hospital yesterday after receiving his 5th plasmaphresis.  He immediately was dropped off at his oncologists office to receive a 4 hour chemo treatment.  He has two more plasmaphresis treatments scheduled for next week, along with two chemo treatments.  The doctor is unsure if the plasmaphresis is making a difference.  It is supposed to help with symptoms.  I think he seemed a little more coherent and able to speak a bit clearer and longer, but he still has some confusion and his swelling is still an issue even though they went down for a bit this week after an infusion of a very strong water pill and by elevating his legs.  But they swelled right back up.

He is very weak and my mom is concerned about getting him to take his medication and eat, since she and the nurses struggled to make this happen at the hospital.  He is not putting enough nutrients and liquids into his body to make up for all that is being taken from him.  The doctor said his numbers were a little better, but that the amount of multiple myeloma cells are still dominating his body. 

Dave is having some strong feelings about being in the hospital for so long.  It is something that will most likely continue since the chemo is causing his platelets and red blood cells to drop.  The doctor wants to try another week of the current chemo combo to see if there is any improvements.  The options after that are questionable because some of the more successful options are known to cause excessive bleeding which Dave really can't manage, unless he wants to constantly be in the hospital.  Dave wants to continue to fight so we expect that there will be more hospital visits and chemo.  A hospital bed is on order.  This should help him be more comfortable at home.  And he will be getting some sort of feeding bag whereas the much needed nutrients can be given to him through his port.  Not sure how this works, but will find out more next week.  He is happy to be home and his pup Coco is over-the-moon to have him back.

I worry about my mom.  She will be his full-time caregiver and it is truly full-time.  She has to help him with most things and actually got a taste of it at the hospital where she spent a great deal of time taking care of Dave.  He is using a walker and help from my mom to get up and around. 

As hard as it is to see, I also see the beauty in the commitment my mom has made to Dave.  To truly see the vows she  made to him over 30 years ago "in sickness and in health" come in to play, is probably the best lesson I will ever learn from my mother.  She is committed, when I couldn't commit, she is strong, when I was weak, she is loyal when I wasn't.   She loves Dave, she always has.  She said she can't help but love him because he loves us kids, but I know it is more than that.

I'm just in utter amazement to see love tested at this level.   One person caring for another person at their most vulnerable.  She has to take the roll on of taking care of Dave and being strong when her life has been turned upside down too!  It is not just his life that has been changed, but hers as well.  My mom is one of the best people to take care of you if you are sick.  She will wait on you and make sure you are comfortable, but she has always raised us to get up, wipe it off, and carry on.  If Dave wants to fight this, she will be encouraging him to be an "active fighter." 

Thank you to all his family and friends who came to visit Dave while he was in the hospital.  It allowed my mom a little reprieve and Dave time to spend with the people he loves the most.  If anyone would like to come help for a few hours to give my mom a break just let her know and see if it is a good day for a visit.  He tends to not like her out of his sight, but she will need that time away to regroup in order to carry on. 

Hugs

Jeana