18. "Sleep Apnea"

This photo was taken by my daughter at a nearby park. I think it so beautiful and wanted to share it. She has an amazing natural talent to capture things in photos.
(She has taken all of my recent blog photos.)

Went to see Dr Subbory (radiation doc) today and heard good news! His lungs sound clear and his heart sounds good! He didn't do a scan today but, he told us that the scan he had in the hospital was clear and showed nothing. I'm so grateful!!! He will see the oncologist for another scan on August 16Th.
We explained some of the things that have been going on lately, like his inability to sleep through the night and the shortness of breath as well as the fluid retention. He said that the medication change has something to do with part of this as well as the steroids and weight gain (20 more pounds since he was in the hospital) and he should be getting a little better everyday. He questioned his COPD diagnosis. He thinks he should see a lung Dr. to rule it out.
I made an appointment with the sleep center today too! The consultation is on Thursday. The Dr. agrees that he may need a c-pap machine at night to help him breath. Don't know if he'll actually use it though. My mom had sleep apnea and she used her c-pap for a few days before she finally gave up on it. She said it was loud and very uncomfortable. Although, If it helps him it would be worth it! I hate seeing him so miserable!
Thankyou again for all of your prayers and support!! Until next time, God Bless!

15. "Keeping the faith"

I know I'm writing early this week but I just really feel the need to write. As I said last week my hubby wasn't feeling well, so on Saturday I took him to the emergency room because he was having trouble breathing and not to my surprise they decided to keep him. We thought that after radiation we were going to get a break from this hospital. I guess not!

They did do a complete work up on him including a ct scan. They were concerned about his heart. The good news is that all of his tests came out normal and the ct scan looked okay. I have to say that I was relieved! They started him on steroids which I knew they would do but this poor man now has to deal with his diabetes being crazy for the next 2 weeks and being hyper until he finishes them.

They came to the conclusion that he has now developed COPD. They think that it was brought on by the chemo and radiation. So now he is taking 3 more meds on top of his other 4 plus he has to use a nebulizer to take albuterol aerosol breathing treatments on top of the steroids (that have already made him gain 47 lbs since he's been out of the hospital the first time) and also an antibiotic called Avelox to prevent pneumonia but at least they let him come home on Mondayand he is okay! I was so happy! He is definitely doing better than he was when he went in.

He went to his heart Dr. on Tuesday and he feels that the medication he is on for his A fib and blood pressure(lopresser) may be causing some of the issues with his breathing (as well as his weight gain) so he changed it and put him on a new one called Verapamil. He said that he would feel a difference in about a week. Wouldn't that be wonderful!

Next week we have his endocrine Dr. and oncologist appointment. Not looking forward to either of those. I'm just trying to keep my faith and be strong!

Thank you so much again for reading and following my blog and for all of your prayers and support! Until next time, God Bless!