I'm worn out -
Tom has been suffering severe spasms in his lower back since last Wednesday. They cause his knees to buckle and bring tears to his eyes. The radiation doc ordered a CTscan today- the findings revealing a blood clot near a kidney as well as what appears to be a touch of pneumonia. They've hospitalized him for 4 days while they dissolve the clot.
I'm feeling a bit lost - he's 90 minutes away and it seems like he's at the other end of the earth. The hospital is fabulous,and I am not concerned about his care, but being this far away at this time is unsettling.
Did anyone have blood clot complications during treatment? The docs say it is rather unusual to have one where his is located - that they usually show up in the legs. I'm grateful that his radiation doc called for the scan....

Glad everyone is back safely from the Vegas trip.
I've enjoyed reading your enthusiastic reports and your pix were great fun!
Love to all
Nicki

Dear Nicki

I'm so sorry to see that Tom has this problem on top of everything else. He is fortunate indeed that you are there for him. Hope he'll be home with you for the weekend.

Thinking of you, love and light from Helen

Nicki, sorry to hear Tom is having problems. I never had clotting issues that I am aware of. Hang in there and just pretend this is a business trip and he will be home in a few days. You are his angel and I'm sure he knows it.

Hey Nicki,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and Tom. The radiation days are still fresh in my mind as they were just so hard. Dan didn't have any clot issues, but the pain and not able to talk for 6 weeks really got to me. I felt very lonely even though he was right there. It all seemed like it would never end, but it did. I pray that Tom heals quickly and is back home with you soon. When Dan spent time in the hospital, I stayed in the hospital with him. They didn't always seem to like it, but it helped Dan a lot knowing that he was going to get great care from me!
Take care and God bless,
Debbie

Nicki:
As a lay person I would have bet on a pulled/strained muscle in the lower back. It is a good thing that we have doctors and not qualified to diagnose our selves. A speedy recovery for Tom....
Darrell

It is so good to come home to all of you..

My mom and dad went with me today, although I knew my mother would be heartsick to see Tom as he is right now. The visit was good for him, however, as I could see a bit of color coming back to his face while we were there. His voice is definately going - and he has no saliva at all now (I think that is because he has had 2 weeks of the 'boost' radiation instead of IMRT).

The doc said today that the pain comes when the blood is trying to leave the kidney, and it encounters the clot. Let's just hope this heperin (sp?) works quickly, because the pain is just incredible........

I'll hope tomorrow's update tells of great improvement! For now, I'll go take my medicine (lucky me - root canal on Monday! )
Good night, all..
Nicki

Hi Nicki,
I developed a clot in my leg following my surgery. It was very painful at the time and was also quite discouraging - it added to the feeling of my body failing me. However, the meds were effective in dissolving it and the painkillers sort of took care of the clot pain as well as the radiation pain. My doc said that cancer patients are more succeptible to clotting than other folks.
Hang in there. Hopefully, things will get better quickly. Best, Sheldon

I'm home again, and Tom has improved a bit. The pain is manageable now, thank Goodness, and he has been able to rest a bit (as much as you can in a hospital!) Sheldon, you hit a nail on the head with the 'feeling of my body failing me' sentiment. I think that has already caused considerable anger in Tom, and this is just one more thing on the pile. The morphine drip has dulled the pain in the kidney area, as well as the throat, so the attitude was better today. He received visitors all afternoon (which, considering the long drive for everyone, was impressive) and although he was exhausted when the last of the friends left, he was thankful for their effort and concern. We are blessed.

They feel he should be ready to come home next Tuesday The doc did mention, too, that cancer patients are more likely to have blood clots......

I'll sleep better tonight
IT IS SO NICE TO MATCH NAMES WITH THE PHOTOS FROM VEGAS!! Thanks, shutterbugs!

Hi Nicki
So glad that at last there is some improvement, I'm pleased that the pain issue has been resolved, sometimes the constant pain dulls everything to a point of total dispare and it's not until the pain backs off that you get back some control of your life.
Sunshine... love and hugs
Helen

Hey Nicki, glad Tom is improving. Give him our love and prayers for further improvement. Prayers for you and your root canal, also.