• Posted by bobmac2 on June 12, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    It’s been quite an eventful week here in Guelph ON. Bob was admitted on Sun. – we sent him by ambulance on a backboard (thank goodness as it turns out)as he was in excrutiating pain. I ususally have nothing but bad things to say about Guelph General’s Emergency Deopt., but this time they seemed on the ball. He did get moved a lot & they witheld pain meds for 6 hrs. & he ended up in a hallway until 9PM, but they found that he had a fractured vertabrae, he was dehydrated,he had yet another bladder infection, and he was overdosed on the Hydromorphone.

    They got him on an IV, a catheter etc. & the hospitalist put him on steroids (Dexa… something) along with his Fentynal patch 125mg.On Mon. they did an MRI. By Tues he was starving (this is a good thing for someone who didn’t need to lose the 25lb.that he lost over the past month). He is a lot mor comfortable & coherent.

    We had 3 appts. scheduled at the Cancer Hospital in Kitchener on Thurs. & they added a 4th with an Orthopedic Surgeon. They transported him there & back & our daughter & I followed by car. We were there from 10:30 AM until 4PM. WE spoke to his Oncologist 1st who gave us the results of his last CT scan- the cancer is back in his lungs, confirmed in his spine & now he has 3 spots on his liver. That was the bad news but not unexpected. Then we saw the Pain Mgmt.Dr. who said he was going to put him on a Fentynal pain pump for breakthrough. Then it was off to the Orthopedic surgeon who looked at the MRI & confirmed that he had a compression fracture at L1 & he was a candidate for Balloon Kyloplastey(spelling?)This is a fairly new procedure where they insert a balloon & inflate it to where the vertabrae should be then fill the space with cement. This should reduce 90% of the pain-m IMAGINE!!! 90%? Amazing. Anyhow, it’s a quick procedure- they could not fit him in yesterday but we are taking him on Sat. & they will do it. From there we went to meet with the Radiation Oncologist who said he would do pinpoint radiation to that fractured vertabrae- just 1 treatment.That should get rid of the last 10% of the pain.Too good to be true?? Only time will tell. We asked about the other cancer in his spine & he said they would treat as needed- “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

    So, it’s been a very busy but very positive week. Bob is being discharged today with a pain pump, having his procedure tomorrow & who knows what’s next.

    I’ll keep you all posted.
    Regards, Lorrie

    replied 15 years, 8 months ago 3 Members · 5 Replies
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  • 's avatar

    Guest
    June 14, 2009 at 2:34 am

    I read about this procedure when it first came out and thought what a great idea…i think it was doctor in Ky that came up with it. I remember cutting the article out as i am prone to do when i read anything new medical wise.
    So glad Bob is feeling better and hopefully getting his appetite back.
    I sure wish i had my wonderful caregiver back as you have been.
    hugs………Pat

  • julie's avatar

    julie

    Member
    June 14, 2009 at 2:34 am

    It must be nice to hear him say those words. I hope this help the pain he has been feeling.
    I expect you are pretty tired with all the running around and the work you have to do at home also. Please take some time to rest. Julie


    Volunteer Coordinator
    ABLSC
  • bobmac2's avatar

    bobmac2

    Member
    June 13, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    Bob came home about an hour ago- says he feels good. The Dr. said it went very well- I guess we will know more in a day or two
    Lorrie

  • bobmac2's avatar

    bobmac2

    Member
    June 13, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    I got the name of the procedure wrong. It’s called Balloon Kyphoplasty & he is awaiting the procedure at this moment. It’s done with a local & an epidural. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Keep you fingers crossed for him
    Lorrie

  • julie's avatar

    julie

    Member
    June 13, 2009 at 6:15 am

    Lorrie, I am really impressed about how much the Guelph and Kitchner facilities were able to do for Bob and so quick. I can’t imagine the pain he must be in from the fracture. I do hope the procedure is as good as described. The steroids will help him feel better also. I hope you are able to get some rest with all this driving about. Take Care, Julie


    Volunteer Coordinator
    ABLSC

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