Hello friends; It has been an interesting 6 weeks or so since I last posted. I have been in hospital with yet another recurrance and the affirmation that if there is a hard way to do something I can generally find it out.
The cancer has now spread to the bones in my neck. In fact the severe discomfort that I have been whining about to several docs over the past while is due to this new invasion.
A bright young physician in Emerg found on an xray that C5 was MISSING. The vertebra had literally disintegrated and left me with damage to the spinal cord and of course plenty of pain.
The next two weeks were spent getting acknowledged pain levels under control for the first time in months and the set up of palliative care in my home.
Because of the cord damage, I have lost use of my left arm (I am left handed) and retain only partial use of the right arm. There are nurses who visit twice a day to bathe and dress me, physio and OT help to make the most of my limited arm mobility. As you can see, we have got a way to use the computer for now at least.
I feel surprizingly well and am so pleased to be able to remain at home.
It is a sad commentary on the medical profession that my situation went unnoticed and undiagnosed for so long, but since the get go there seems to have been a blind spot surrounding me because my cancer didn't follow the usual track for SCC.
I have a very firm resolve to live life as well and fully as I can for the time that is there...who knows. Right now there is a period of stability happening for which I am grateful.
I am open and eager for tips and tricks to help my husband and I go through this new adventure in our lives together. These caregivers of ours are pure gold!
Thanks for stopping by,
Fran B.