celeni's Cancer Blog
June 20, 2008
| June 10th through June 21st- getting caught up on journal | Views: 965 |
Well, Wes went to the gall bladder doctoe last Friday and decided not to do surgery since had only one attack. THe doctor said that Wes needed to get back on his chemo and not take the risk of any type of surgery at this time…unless it was life threatening. As he was walking out Freida asked if there was something that he could take…or what kind of foods did he need to stay away from. THe doc said…oh yeah, I can write you a prescription to get rid of the “sludge” in his gall bladder. Thank goodness she asked him about it and got a prescription. SHe said, well he was a surgeon, she guessed that since he wasnt going to cut him open he was just going to walk out and go to the next patient. Sheesh. Thank goodness for the internet. It pays to do a little research yourself since it appears at times it is like pulling teeth to get info from a doctor. I guess in the “good old days” people never questioned their doctor…they just assumed that what they were told was the gospel. So Wes was back on schedule for his chemo that he had done this past Wednesday.
I felt a little guilty because last weekend was my traditional “City Stages weekend with the Girls”. Me and my two best friends have been going for 12 or 13 years now. City Stages is a big music festival in downtown Birmingham. We get there on Friday evening, get a room at the Sheraton and listen to music all weekend long. Anyhow, Friday evening, I took my car in so I could go see Wes for a while and so that I could see him on Sunday on my way out.
When I got there Friday night he was in his room, in the hospital bed, watching tv. I worry that he doesnt get up and about more…or that he doesnt want to go somewhere…that he doesnt want to do anything inparticular. It makes me feel like he is “wasting precious time.” He tells me that he is a simple man…and that he is a rich man. Rich in his family and friends, and simple in the fact that if there was something that he really wanted to do…that he would have already done it…that he is satisfied doing just what he is doing. I think that is as hard for me to accept as the initial diagnosis of cancer.
But how would I handle it if I had a limited amount of time left on this earth? That is hard to say…and I can only imagine. Is he in pain? I ask, and he says he is sore…but I dont know what that means. Is he sore because he is so inactive? Is he sore because the cancer makes him weak? I am just trying to understand…and I guess I have to come to the realization that each individual would handle that situation the way THEY want too..not the way that others expect…or want them to handle it.
So…I went off for the weekend with the girls and came back to see him on Sunday. WHen I came in I was talking about the weekend and showing pictures to his family. I went in his room and I made a comment that must have pissed him off. Right or wrong (probably wrong) he put on his shorts and came into the living room with us and we all had a pleasant afternoon, laughed, talked…he even stayed up with them while they cooked out steaks on the grill after I left. It was a good day…things almost seemed normal again.
Hopefully next weekend he will be feeling good, having survived the aftermath of his chemo, and can come to my house for the weekend. God bless everyone who is battling cancer and an extra God Bless you to the families and friends. Until then!
June 10th through June 21st- getting caught up on journal, 
3 comments)
veronica 
Sharon Traywick 
Thanks for your support -
The aftermath of chemo can be very trying, some days it take all of my energy just to shower and eat, it is hard to understand unless you have lived it. Be patient and just be there for him.
You are wise to see that each person has to deal with this invasion in their own way and time. My wife had a very hard time understanding my response to cancer and my refusal to do some of the things she thought I should. But given time we were able to come to a place that works for us both.
Prayers for you both
Mac