C-Day

I spent the night at the hospital by her bedside double checking the night shift work and reassuring her by simply being there. Gene had a fitful night drifting in and out of drug induced consciousness. George relieved me around 6 a.m. to take over shepherding of medical staff, soothing Gene's worries & brow and double checking preparations for the operation later this morning....

Today the "port-cath" went in. It's a catheter to the heart so the chemo drugs won't damage any veins that would be used instead of the port. After this morning's procedure we have found out that Gene's heart is indeed strong. Some of you might have already heard through various grape vines so let's put it all straight right here.

Gene was subject to being over sedated. That is typified by the patient not responding to the usual techniques (i.e. nudging, calling to them loudly, patting of the hand) to "awaken" the patient and in this case respiration (breathing) was growing shallower instead of stronger, like we all should when we arise from slumber. This is not unusual and happens more frequently than you hear about. At this point Gene was moved back into ICU and treated for this. There are drugs to counteract the sedative however it's a very wide swinging emotional yo-yo. In Gene's case she also experienced episodes of delusion. The medical team was able to resolve this issue and she is resting very well right now. Heart beat has come down. Blood/oxygen is good. Blood pressure very good. All in all she responded as one should and would to this condition and treatment. She is unconscious with full oxygen mask, appears to be resting much better than even last night and is incredibly well attended to and monitored by the ICU crew (MUCH better than the non-ICU staff).

In the meantime, it was determined that we have to attack the tumors now. That's right, tumors as in plural. They are currently confined to the lung area and have not migrated to any other organs. That's relatively awesome news folks. The downside is that, true to it's nature, this cancer type is very fast growing. If we had known last week what we know now then it would have been better to start the chemo last week, however that is what knowing costs; time. Still with it in a relatively early stage and no time to waste we have to begin the chemo immediately. As with the previous days we won't know what the response will be until time passes. We have a battle on our hands and the time is here to strike at the enemy. This will take into the evening to apply the chemo treatment. There is no timeline to her leaving the hospital. It's one moment at a time before the next step can be known.

The response to all the people offering time and energy to post watch and help out where asked is overwhelming. Many of you will be called upon to play your part. Keep the hope-prayers for a miraculous healing and the faith-prayers for comfort and strength coming. For anyone wanting to send flowers please do not as they are very invasive to respitory sensitivity conditions like Gene has. Cards are most certainly welcomed.

Jehovah-rophe