As I sit here writing this, the sky out of Pam's windows is a grey and somewhat cloudy view, with patches of sunshine peeking in from time to time.
Pam has been in the hospital for about 10 days now. There have been a bunch of highs and lows for her pain level, but staff has seemed to reach a steady state for the most part, ranging from about 4 to 7 on the pain scale. That is, except when something has to be done, like shifting her around, using a bedpan, and now trying to keep her from developing any bed sores. The trauma then rises pretty quickly and pretty dramatically.
The level of medication needed to control the pain is high, and so that means that Pam moves in and out of sleep, awareness, and a pretty loopy state. We're enjoying trying to figure out what she's telling us at some points in the day.
The church brought by a big basket of snacks which we will slowly appreciate, and we've been sharing your cards with Pam when she is able to receive them. Thanks for those. Thanks also for your care and concern, and your continued prayer support. I also appreciate all your offers to help including providing meals, but so far, the dog and I, with the help of our daughters, are doing fine.
We're not sure what will happen next. We're considering exiting Pam to a facility like Maryville. The extent of care she needs is really high, and home is probably not the place for that to happen. It's unfortunate, but that's how it will have to be.
Throughout our marriage, Pam and I have always contested over who the star of the family is. What I have been reminded of over the last few days, is how many people Pam has influenced, helped, shepherded, shared her faith and the gospel with, and been a bright light to. I want you to know that even now, Pam is thinking about you and remembering many of your shared experiences. And I'll add that she continues to honor God and share His love in her interactions with the staff here.
This is rough, but God is good.
Saturday, August 27, 2022
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Pam -- evening of 8/21
Here's the latest update on Pam.
She spent the weekend at St Vincent's with the primary goal of getting her pain under control. That was hit and miss through the weekend, with a really smooth Friday night but other times of 10+ pain during the day. Today, the regime was to NOT use any IV dosing for the pain medication. Somewhat successful but still up and down. The expectation is that the pain will be better under control over the next day or two.
Meanwhile, a few relatives have visited, the family has been taking care of routine stuff (Cosmo and I have both gotten food), and we're beginning to think about next steps. It's daunting.
Pam is very aware of your covering her in prayer, and is most grateful.
We send our blessings and remember that God is glorious.
She spent the weekend at St Vincent's with the primary goal of getting her pain under control. That was hit and miss through the weekend, with a really smooth Friday night but other times of 10+ pain during the day. Today, the regime was to NOT use any IV dosing for the pain medication. Somewhat successful but still up and down. The expectation is that the pain will be better under control over the next day or two.
Meanwhile, a few relatives have visited, the family has been taking care of routine stuff (Cosmo and I have both gotten food), and we're beginning to think about next steps. It's daunting.
Pam is very aware of your covering her in prayer, and is most grateful.
We send our blessings and remember that God is glorious.
Friday, August 19, 2022
Pam's Status
Let me begin by thanking you for your prayers and well wishes I know you have wanted to know what Pam’s situation is, and we’re ready to share. now that we have worked through the medical information and treatment options.
This all began about six weeks ago when Pam started experiencing severe pain in her back. After seeing several doctors and undergoing several different scans, a determination was made that the source of her pain was likely a cancerous mass on her spine. After hearing this, we scheduled radiation treatment to begin the next day, Tuesday. The goal was to reduce or eliminate the mass and reduce the pain.
After the second radiation treatment on Wednesday, Pam was in debilitating pain, and we ended up calling 911 and she was ambulanced to the hospital. After a night in the ER and a lot of pain medications she was admitted into the hospital for continued medication and full-time treatment.
And now it gets complicated. The earlier scans revealed that Pam also had cancer in her right lung. This meant that the radiation would not take care of all the cancer in Pam’s body.
In discussion with the doctors, there were basically three options for us to choose from. The first choice was to aggressively attack the cancer with chemo, radiation, and who knows what else. No guarantees that this would be successful on any level, especially considering this cancer was likely a spread from her earlier breast cancer. Pam had already decided that after her last chemo, she would not go through that again.
The second option was to continue the radiation treatment and then just live her life … whatever would come next. Pam didn’t want to face those treatments and the intense pain to go through them. It turns out that the radiation oncologist said the treatments would not be worth the pain of going through them.
And so, we are at this point. Pam is going to live out her life as it comes. Treatment will all be centered around pain management, initially, and then whatever else happens. We have no idea how long this process might last. We’re not sure how much longer Pam will be in the hospital, but at least through this weekend. We’re looking at how much and how often Pam can have visitors.
The family is unified in this course of action. Pam is in good spirits. The Lord is good. We continue to pray for God to heal Pam’s body. We believe He can! Please pray with us that his will be done.
This all began about six weeks ago when Pam started experiencing severe pain in her back. After seeing several doctors and undergoing several different scans, a determination was made that the source of her pain was likely a cancerous mass on her spine. After hearing this, we scheduled radiation treatment to begin the next day, Tuesday. The goal was to reduce or eliminate the mass and reduce the pain.
After the second radiation treatment on Wednesday, Pam was in debilitating pain, and we ended up calling 911 and she was ambulanced to the hospital. After a night in the ER and a lot of pain medications she was admitted into the hospital for continued medication and full-time treatment.
And now it gets complicated. The earlier scans revealed that Pam also had cancer in her right lung. This meant that the radiation would not take care of all the cancer in Pam’s body.
In discussion with the doctors, there were basically three options for us to choose from. The first choice was to aggressively attack the cancer with chemo, radiation, and who knows what else. No guarantees that this would be successful on any level, especially considering this cancer was likely a spread from her earlier breast cancer. Pam had already decided that after her last chemo, she would not go through that again.
The second option was to continue the radiation treatment and then just live her life … whatever would come next. Pam didn’t want to face those treatments and the intense pain to go through them. It turns out that the radiation oncologist said the treatments would not be worth the pain of going through them.
And so, we are at this point. Pam is going to live out her life as it comes. Treatment will all be centered around pain management, initially, and then whatever else happens. We have no idea how long this process might last. We’re not sure how much longer Pam will be in the hospital, but at least through this weekend. We’re looking at how much and how often Pam can have visitors.
The family is unified in this course of action. Pam is in good spirits. The Lord is good. We continue to pray for God to heal Pam’s body. We believe He can! Please pray with us that his will be done.
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