Hello all,
I'm happy to report that we are still seeing some progress - a small amount every day, but we'll take it. Scott had his third radiation treatment on Friday, and will not have any other radiation over the weekend. The pain is starting to decrease slowly. He still cannot move his leg without assistance and cannot walk, but he can do a little more. I guess the best way to explain it is that he feels a little more "comfortable". A week ago, just sitting still was excruciating - now he can be a little more comfortable.
The irriatiation at being here a week now is starting to show - it's so hard on him. He wants to be home with his doggies and his surroundings. The staff at Sylvester is great and are taking good care of him. These are not private rooms like at UM Hospital - he had a "jack ass" of a neighbor earlier in the week, but he has a nice one now. I don't know his name, but this man has obviously been a fighter. I'm not sure exactly what kind of cancer he has (he has a heavy accent and it's hard for me to fully understand him), but he told me that his first cancer diagnosis was at 27. This is his 3rd reoccurance and he's 72 now - he must be a very brave man.
We're not totally sure if the epidural is part of what is helping, or if it's the right combination of doses of pain meds, or if it's radiation - I'm not sure that we could know - so we'll just keeping doing everything we're doing. He still has 7 radiation treaments. If the epidural doesn't appear to be working, they may try another one higher up (a lumbar epidural), and if radiation doesn't significantly reduce the pain, a "pain pump". The pump is inserted inside of his body (just under the skin), much like his port. It will allow the medicine to be inserted directly into this spine. Using this technique, much less medicine is needed to alleviate the pain. Again, this will only be looked at if radiation isn't working - that should not need to be the case.
His fevers are still coming and going. They are very likely from the tumor and/or the pain, but they cannot risk infection, so he will have to give him more antibiotics just to be safe.
Today has been pretty uneventful and tomorrow should be the same.
The one thing I hear most from everyone (besides the prayers, well wishes and loving thoughts) is "I feel so helpless". I understand this well. Neil and I are by his side all the time and even we feel helpless. This past week was the most difficult (and scary) time of this journey yet and everyone wishes there was something they could do to help. Some of you are in a position to help with the dogs and we thank you so much for doing so.
Besides that, all I can say to you is to keep sending him your love. Don't feel bad about being unable to help - we know you want to and we love you all for it. Thank you for staying involved and caring about Scott and his progress - you are helping more than you know.
I'll send another update in a few days.
Love,
Amy
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