It has been several days since my Pity Party Post (say that 3 times fast!) and I want to update how Jimmy is feeling.
In the past week, Jimmy has been going to radiation...he goes 5 days a week...and yesterday, the radiologist said he believed the tumor looked like it has gotten a little smaller. Woo hoo! The pain seems to be a little better too, which is a relief. Jimmy is very tired though. The doctor believes it is a combination of the medication and the radiation making him so tired. They are weaning him off the steroid and the nerve blocker medication hoping that will help somewhat with the side effects he's been having. Speaking of side effects, this week has been a rather stinky week...I don't mean crappy either. ..well that's really a poor choice of words. Apparently, the radiation is causing some gastrointestinal issues for Jimmy. Since the radiation goes through his pelvic area to get to the tumor, it also goes through his bladder, colon and intestines. Therefore, some issues come along with that, which is something the doctor told him to expect. Let's just say that I haven't been spending too much time in the same room with Jimmy for any length of time...if you know what I mean! LOL
I also wanted to post a couple of pictures of what one of Jimmy's medications is doing to his body. The medication is his blood thinner that is given as an injection. He has to get these injections twice a day.
Other than the ongoing bruises, the only scary thing that happened this week was yesterday morning. Jimmy was sleeping on the couch (he often goes out into the living room to sleep when he wakes up in the middle of the night). He has been having trouble sleeping and is having really bad night sweats again. The night sweats are so bad that when he wakes up his clothes are soaked as well as any pillows or covers.
Anyway, I made coffee and went to bring Jimmy a cup. He was sitting up on the couch but when I tried to hand him his cup, he didn't respond. At first, I thought he was teasing me and just pretending to be asleep. I kept trying to wake him up but he didn't respond. I made sure he was breathing...which he was...but I started to get scared thinking that something was wrong. I squeezed his left leg (the tumor leg) and he didn't move. This was very unusual since there is pain/numbness in this leg and he doesn't like for me to touch it. I smacked his cheek and he still didn't wake up. I even pulled his eyelid up to try and get him to respond. This went on for a minute or so (even though it seemed like forever) and then he finally woke up. He was really groggy and it took him a few minutes to become fully awake. Talk about scared...I was scared. Logan was in the room and he even came over to see if he could help. Of course, I was trying not to show how scared I really was in front of Logan. I don't know what happened or why Jimmy wouldn't wake up but, hopefully, that won't happen again.
As for me, I'm not so weepy this week. I am still very sad about what Jimmy is going through but it has not consumed me this week.
I also want to mention a couple of other people that live near me. A young mother with children in Logan's school passed away this past week from cancer. She was way too young and she left behind a husband and three children. I did not know her but from everything I've heard, she was liked by all who did know her. Also, good friend's wife has been diagnosed with cancer. It was originally found in her lungs and eye but it is now in her pelvis and spine. She is a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. I mention these two families because I ask that you add them to your prayers. This is such a horrific disease and, as you know, it is not selective in who it chooses.
Thanks again for those of you who have reached out to me personally and expressed your thoughts and support. Your prayers are appreciated more than you know.
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