A couple of days post 3 month diagnosis I noted a yellowing of the skin on my face and a bit of jaundice in the whites of my eyes. The onset of jaundice for those not seeking chemotherapy portends a life expectancy of 1.5-2 months which I guess is line with original expectancy of 3-6 months. Affects of jaundice did not take long to appear, twice since I have awoke at night vomiting. No warning, just explosive vomiting, and the second time mostly clear liquid. To me violent vomiting is preferable to possibly aspirating vomit while sleeping, which can be life threatening. Then during the day (9/19), I had excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis. Just dripping in sweat from everywhere regardless of room temp. For pancreatic cancer victims a possible sign of diabetes
Yesterday, Saturday, I awoke feeling sicker than I ever have. It was just not pain and delirium and nausea, but an awful indescribable feeling of sickness. What my 40 yr old son best described as the bad flu with the worst hangover of your life. For the first time, I actually felt like I might die. Which is awful, not dying, but feeling that bad while doing it. I should have gone to a critical care clinic to have my blood checked to see what was out of whack. This is a major oversight, but I was so out of it and because I am on hospice care it never occurred to me. Hospice addresses pain, but not much else from my experience. So I suffered through and began to feel better in the evening and even my appetite returned. Fortunately or not, my son and 2 grand daughters were here for a visit and that took my mind off of the suffering and I did nothing.
So today, I am back to just feeling generally bad with usual abdominal pain, which is good. No delirium, sweating, or nausea. I guess my take away from this is even if you are under hospice, seek medical attention in case it is something that can be addressed with IV fluids. No one should feel that bad. I have scheduled labs for Tuesday. Will also get liver enzymes and bilirubin checked. Until now bilirubin has been normal, but I am sure that has changed.
Roger - it may be little comfort but being treated didn't help my husband avoid much of what you're going through. It's a horrible disease and I'm glad you're under hospice care. THey'll make you as comfortable as possible. I have to believe that would include IV fluids. Keep on asking. I'm glad you have loved ones visiting on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteI love you always and had a great time this weekend. I was thinking the same thing about them leaving some IV fluids the other day. It should be totally doable. If you need anything, I am here.
ReplyDeleteRoger, Glad to hear you are feeling better. With all that you are going through, you continue to provide us with invaluable information regarding hospice care. I don’t know how you do it.
ReplyDeleteHey Roger, I can't help but wonder if maybe your 'oversight' was because you are exhausted by the idea of more prodding and needles and bloodwork; that coming from my idea of being sick and just wanting to be left alone....thinking of you and really hoping for some pain free, or tolerable time with your family.
ReplyDeleteshould I come down and scratch your back to a hundred
ReplyDeletedon't forget electrolytes, bs, amylase etc. Not likely to alter anything but a guidepost of info.
God bless you my dear cousin. I wish we had the opportunity to have got to have known each other better. But all my memories are those of your humor. There are very few people who make me genuinely laugh & you were one of them. Please say hi to everyone on the other side. Love, John
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