I haven't posted since Eclipse Day, so I figure it is time for an update. Here are some of the highlights.
No hospitalizations. The best news is that there have been no trips to the ER or hospitalizations since then. We have had a couple of out-of-home medical appointments, including one to clear a clog in the GJ tube. But that didn't require a tube replacement and took less than an hour from check-in to departure.
This is our longest such stretch in quite some time, as is depicted in the calendar below. The orange days were radiation days. The light purple days are hospital days.
Good to be home. It's been good to have an extended period at home. The food is better, it's easier to hang out with family, and Penny gets more exercise just doing routine things than happens in the hospital.
Good mornings. Last week Friday we had a check-in with our oncologist. His immediate reaction was to say "You're looking good." Certainly compared to our recent visits with him in the hospital, this is true. It also helps that this appointment was around noon. Most days start better than they end. Recent mornings have included being hungry (and eating some substantial breakfasts) and even spending some time in the kitchen. By afternoon, Penny is usually not feeling very good. That can be any combination of nausea, pain, fatigue, etc.
Weakness. While the good mornings have generally included a good breakfast, and lunches and suppers have generally been better that last couple weeks than they had been previously, Penny still struggles to get as many calories as would be ideal. She's been able to tolerate one carton of nutrition through her tube a little more than half of the days. (The original goal was 3 or 4 cartons every day.) The increased appetite has helped (and is more enjoyable than tube feeding), but Penny continues to lose weight and hit a new low this morning. This is accompanied by increased weakness, although this varies some from day to day, and there are spurts where she has a bit more energy and strength. She still gets around reasonably well with her walker, but even taking a few steps to get from the walker to a sofa are becoming more challenging, and she has agreed that she should no longer attempt this unless someone is next to her and can lend support as needed.
An excursion. On Saturday, April 13, we had our first out-of-house excursion that wasn't a medical appointment since duck pin bowling. We went to a local pottery show that Penny likes to go to each year. I pushed her in a wheel chair for about an hour, and then we returned home, where Penny pretty much crashed for the rest of the day. Still, it was good to get out and do something "normal".
Clots and bleeding. After the last hospitalization (for the infection), we decided to discontinue the blood thinner for now. That seems to be working. There have been no new signs of trouble with clots, all the swelling from receiving so much fluid while in the hospital has gone away, and Penny's hemoglobin level has remained good (below the normal range, but acceptably high, and importantly holding steady). So for the moment, it seems that neither the clots nor the bleeding issues are causing substantial problems.
Infection. The antibiotics seem to have done their job, and there are no signs of a recurrence. The wound from the incision created to help drain the infected area is healing slowly, but it doesn't show any worrying symptoms. We still change the dressing at least daily, but usually twice a day.
Knitting. Frequent readers are probably wondering about knitting. Penny had us put away one of her more complicated projects in favor of something simpler. She's been knitting at least a little most days, but mostly at a relaxed pace and in short bursts.
Comments
Talon Rindels : Thankful for the small blessings you've had over the last few weeks! <3
Kerry Rowe: Thank you for sharing updates. Penny continues to amaze us. May the beauty of spring and warmer days ahead allow you some fresh air and enjoyment of your lovely back yard.
Glen Boer: Thank you for the update, Randy. I'm glad that Penny is doing better and very happy as I'm sure she is, to hear that you are home. As always keeping you both and the rest of the family in my prayers.
Alisa Tigchelaar: Thank you for this update, Randy. It makes my heart so glad that Penny is knitting, and that the overall report has so many positives, including more days without hospital visits or stays. Praying for more energy and strength rather than less, and for nutrition that stays the current trend of weight loss. So happy for you both that you were able to spend some good time at the pottery show, too. Continuing to keep you both and your family in daily prayer. Much love. π
Jim Ludema: β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
Terri A Boer: Continued prayers for you all! So glad to hear no hospital visits and that she is eating. Penny you are an amazing lady!!
Laura DeHaan: So grateful that you all have been able to stay out of the hospital, and to hear this update. Much love to you both!
Nancy Munson: Sending you both much love.
Patricia Boer Fischer : Thank-U So Much 4the Updates, Soooooo HaPpY hApPy 4Ya's..that Penny is Stayin nthe Comfort of Ger Home π‘ along w U & Ur Family ππ This is Truly Awesome!! Thank-U Jesus ππ!! Have a Blessed Weekend w Family & Friends, HUGG'S, LOVE 2Ya's ππ·ππ
Patricia Boer Fischer : Just Wanted 2Take a Moment 2Wish Penny a HaPpY hApPy Mother's Day πππβ€οΈπ«ΆπΉπ»πΊ!! Prayin She'll Have Strength 2b-able 2VISIT w Y'all Children's & Enjoy Company!! Just know Ur all n Our Prayers ππ!! Hugg's & Lots of Love β€οΈ 2Ya's