Monday, May 21, 2007

Up early this morning to take Dad to the Polyclinic for his CT Scan. He has a really hard time riding in the car. His back hurts so much that he suffers the entire time we are on the road. I try to avoid potholes and anything that will make the car bounce too much. We got there in plenty of time, parked the car, and made it to the Diagnostic Imaging Center....where of course, we had to fill out yet more paperwork.

Luckily, other patients had not shown up, so they took us in right at 9:00am. Dad needed help laying down on the table while they put the IV link in his arm. He didn't have to undress...which was great. After a few minutes, the technician came and got us and led us into the room with the CT equipment. It is this huge machine with a hole in the middle...with a table that goes in and out of the area with the hole. On the ceiling were illuminated tiles with sky and autumn leaves. I pointed this out to Dad...he thought it was pretty neat. We got Dad on the table and the technician helped me move Dad's pants and underwear down a bit for the test.

The technician explained what he was doing to Dad and then asked me to join him behind the glass wall with all the computers. He did a trial run to make sure that Dad understood when to hold his breath and when to let it out. Once he got started, it was pretty fast. He did a full study that included the pelvic region. He included the pelvic region after consulting with Dad's oncologist. Listening to that conversation was my first inkling that they were looking for recurrent prostate cancer. Once the technician went out to talk to Dad again, I peaked at his paperwork from the oncologist. Sure enough, recurrent prostate cancer is what they are searching for at this point. From my own research I have learned that prostate cancer can metastasize to the bones and cause spinal cord compression as well as lower extremity edema. Dad's feet, legs and hands are all swollen. All this would explain why Dad's first symptoms all had to do with back pain and why his extremities are swollen.

After we left the exam room, I took Dad to the bathroom. We have this procedure worked out very well at this point. Once he was done, I got his pants secured and off we went to get the car. He moaned on the way home...the pain is really wearing him down. He also seemed weaker and skinnier today.

Once I got us back to their apartment, I fixed lunch for everyone. Asparagus quiche, rhubarb crumble and real vanilla ice cream. Dad's appetite is still really good. After lunch I got him settled in his chair with the ice bag. I also cleaned out an infected cut on his foot, put Neosporin on it and a bandaid.

I have noticed that Mom and Dad are more openly affectionate with each other...kissing, Mom tending to Dad as best she can...etc.

I ended my visit by administering Mom's eyedrops for the second time today. Tomorrow I pick her up at 8:00am to go to her eye specialist. Her eye is still closed most of the time due to the shingles.

At noon, I headed out to my job merchandising greeting cards at the Southcenter Target. It is kind of nice to take my mind off of all that is going on with Mom and Dad.

It is 9:15pm..I have done some research on metastatic cancer...done this blog entry...time to go take it easy for a little while before I go to bed.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Pamela and I both spent time cooking Saturday and Sunday so I would have delicious food to take out to Dad and Mom. I cooked a rhubarb crumble, Pamela did mashed potatoes, meatloaf and an asparagus quiche.

After picking up the groceries that they needed, I arrived at their apartment a little after 1pm today. I unpacked the groceries, put the potatoes and meatloaf in the oven to warm, boiled water for the corn on the cob and put two loads of clothes in to wash. We had a good dinner...again, Dad needed me to spoon food into his mouth. I bought him some straws so that drinking from a glass will be easier. Most of the time he can manage to pick up the glass..and the straw definitely made it easier for him to manage on his own. His appetite is good...he ate everything on his plate and then had a good serving of rhubarb crumble and real vanilla ice cream.

After dinner, I put the clothes in the dryer and then toweled off the dishes as Mom washed them. I sat her down after dinner and gave her the eyedrops she needs. I got Dad settled in his chair with the icebag and propped his feet up on the stool. His lower legs, ankles and feet are really swollen.

Mom and I talked while I was waiting for the clothes to dry. She said that both she and Dad realized that they were nearing the end of their lives. I told her we just need to keep focusing on what we can do to get both of them feeling better. She told me again how glad she was that I was helping them....and again, I told her I am happy to do it.

After I folded the clothes and put everything away, I told them both that I would be back at 7:45am tomorrow to pick Dad up for his CT Scan. I wrote out the instructions for him in large type and left them in plain view. He has to drink on bottle of barium at 6am and then drink 3/4 of the second bottle at 8am. I will bring him a travel mug so he can drink it on the way to the Polyclinic.

I know he is dreading this week of tests. I just need to stay focused on getting him through each appointment with a minimum of discomfort. I also need to get Mom to her eye doctor tomorrow.
I am feeling a little tired....but determined to make this week as easy as possible for Mom and Dad. They both really appreciated the home cooked food that I had brought to them today. I want to keep their spirits strong..and one sure way to do that is with food they like.