Hospice

We got the results of the MRI and CT scans from Boston.  The MRI determined that there is no melanoma in the brain, it was definitely a stroke.  The CT scan showed that the 3 tumors in the liver had shrunk considerably.  He had been down to 1 cancer pill a day, of his own choice.  He was so sick of feeling so terrible that he stopped taking it altogether.  By Wednesday the 20th, he could barely get out of bed but didn't want to go to the ER.  I convinced him to let me call the doctor to see if he could see him.  My sister helped me load him in the back of the Jeep so I could drive him there and help me put him in a wheel chair to get to the Dr.'s office.  He was dehydrated and his vital signs were not so good so they wheeled him right to the ER who in turn admitted him into the hospital.  They did another CT scan on Friday the 22nd.  The tumors multiplied and grew so much that the smallest tumor was larger than the largest one the prior week.  The liver is enlarged and pushing on the stomach which is distended since it can't drain.  They finally found a nausea medication that is working.  The oncologist said since he does not want chemo he suggest hospice.  I asked him for a time frame, he said his best guess is a month maybe less.  Don chose to stay at home so they brought him home by ambulance yesterday.  A home health aide comes in every day for an hour and a nurse will be coming in 3 times a week, more as needed.  They will also send a chaplin and a social worker for both of us.  A very dear friend, Joyce Casavant, is spending the week with me, her husband is bringing up their RV next Wednesday and staying indefinitely.  

He seems to be at peace.  It will be lots of work taking care of him but very much worth it.