Another quiet Saturday, with Vern not feeling all that great. A new nurse gave him his Velcade infusion on Thursday and didn't comply with his request for the saline to be infused over a longer period. They were packed back in there (Vern had to sit in a regular chair because all of the loungers were taken), so I'm guessing that had something to do with her rushing it. I will be calling the doc's office on Monday to remind them he has kidney failure and if they rush this infusion "we" pay for it the following two days with stomach pains, nausea and very heavy diarrhea. He hasn't eaten anything since Thursday, so I'm watching him closely. Trying to get some fluids into him, but he's cautious of that because he doesn't want to get nauseous again.
Last Saturday was much better. We headed over to St. Rose to visit our friends and ran into our favorite oncology nurse, Arliss, and Stacy, the wound tech who helped heal Vern's pressure ulcer back in 2006. They were both so pleased to see Vern. We had a nice visit with Duane & Bernice and then headed out to the medical supply store. Vern tried out a couple of the wheeled walkers and agreed my "Cadillac" selection was the easiest for him to use. So we made the purchase (Happy Father's Day!) and headed home. He wasn't up to a scenic drive after that day's excursions, and didn't feel strong enough on Sunday to venture out. So, we'll make that trek another time.
Vern continues to drive to dialysis and was able to manuever his new walker into the back of the CRV. I start working the new 4-10 schedule on Monday, so that makes it possible for me to get into work on time. Will need to take off when he meets with Dr. Gollard, but that's been moved from weekly visits to every 2 weeks. He's running all of the big MM labs this week, so we'll have a good idea of where the disease is. When we mentioned the back pain Vern has been having for awhile, Dr. G decided he needed to do an MRI. Had to remind him he has a vena cava filter implant and can't have MRIs, so they'll do a CTscan to see if there's anything going on in there. Waiting for insurance approval.
Only 71 days until we return to Crystal Pier - very anxious for that. It's so beautiful and relaxing. I need to find out how we go about securing a dialysis center Vern can go to while we're there and what insurance approvals we need for that. I'm battling insurance paperwork now trying to get them to accept bills for latest hospitalization. Ugh. With all they've paid during the past 3 years you'd think they'd have all of the forms they need. But they keep sending paperwork asking questions about an accident causing the hospitalization and also saying Medicare needs to be the primary payer. So grateful we have insurance, but it's so difficult to have to deal with yet another issue. Sigh.
We appreciate your continued prayers as we ride this cancer world roller coaster. All is well here ... just very tired. Think a nap is on order today.
