How fast it all changed.

[Kellydelly]

I am so sorry you are being hit with this. Don't think bad thoughts, think about finding the issue and fixing it! I don't know what pain reliever would help him best in this situation. I think the previous poster is probably thinking about Toradol for post surgical pain relief, but that isn't something that you can take for more than 5 days because it can tear up the gut (it's a high strength NSAID). Maybe heat or ice could help. Hang in there until you know what is really going on.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sorry to hear all this, Rodeo. My best for T-Bone. He, you and family are in my prayers of healing. As mom said earlier, 'Take a deep breath and try not to think too far ahead'.

 

[pigletto]

I'm just heading back to the hospital now where my husband was admitted on Wednesday. He went in with back pain, radiating around to the stomach. Suspicion was appendicitis - family doctor suggested he go directly to ER when he called for an appointment, as that's where they would send him. He had been dealing with it for a few weeks after he ran backwards into my car hard enough to dent it while snow blowing (don't ask) but after repeated visits to the chiropractor didn't change anything he finally went to emergency Wednesday morning.

Instead - scans have found a 1.4 cm mass on his pancreas, nodules on his liver. Today he is getting a bone scan because the x-rays showed nothing that could be causing the pain in his lower back. Could be the enlarged liver, but doctor 'suspects' more going on. They have said they 'suspect' cancer. Well yeah - me too given the findings so far. We've been assigned a social worker who has yet to put in an appearance two days later, and I doubt they send a social worker for a likely benign issue. However - we have to wait two weeks for the results of the liver biopsy done yesterday. I have missed the doctor each time I've gone home to deal with a sick kid and let our dogs out, so I'm getting pieces of information from rotating nurses and my loopy husband. I'm not budging today until I speak to one of his doctors.

They said they're discharging him today, but he can't stand without his heart racing - he's on a floor where they are monitoring his heart and they all come running every time he moves around because he starts dinging at the station. And his pain is not adequately managed. He can't tolerate the narcotic pain relievers so I'm not sure how they're going to tackle that. Especially if we hear the news they're alluding to and we start down that path.

Overall - completely spinning right now. And yeah - life changes in an instant.

Nothing I say is going to be of much comfort to you, but I am going to send you love and strength and positive thoughts. So many people here are going to be in your corner. You won’t be alone and you’re bound to find many who understand you fear and worry. Hold on. We’re here for you.

 

[powellrj]

I am so sorry.

 

[Snowflakey]

Your family is in my prayers. Don't allow your mind to run away with "what ifs". Positive thinking only. We are all here for you. xoxo

 

[Meriweather]

Best wishes for a complete...and speedy....recovery for him
And best wishes to you dealing with it

 

[superme80]

I'm so sorry.

 

[NotUrsula]

As soon as possible, get a second opinion from the best hepatobiliary specialist you can find. Pancreatic disease is EXTREMELY difficult to treat correctly, so you need someone who knows what he/she is doing. I nearly died from pancreatitis 3 years ago, and it was sheer dumb luck that the best specialist in 3 states just happens to be affiliated at the hospital whose ER I was taken to. I got jerked around in the ER for nearly a full day before he was called in to consult, but he saved my life by operating immediately. (And later told me that he hadn't been very optimistic; he had put my survival odds at 1 in 10.)

BTW, an x-ray is not the normal diagnostic tool for pancreatic problems; the standard first option is ultrasound, followed by a CAT scan to determine the details. To give you an idea, I had 3 CAT scans in 7 days when I was in the acute phase of my treatment, and a total of 9 over 2 months while my recovery was being assessed.

Pain originating in the pancreas radiates to the back; that is classic., and it is some of the most excruciating pain the body can produce. (It's right up there with back labor.) There is only one kind of painkiller that is strong enough to tamp down pancreatic pain: opiates (and preferably intravenous opiates, because they are much better tolerated than the oral versions.)

This is not something that you want to waste time waiting around on; be as proactive as you can be, and make sure that he is getting the most expert treatment that you can find. I wish you both the best.

 

[runwad]

Prayers to you and your family as you deal with this. Is there anyone that can hang out with you, to be a second pair of ears? Its so hard to absorb all the doctors tell you. If you are there alone bring a note pad and write stuff down. Don't be afraid to tell them to hang on a minute so you can get things written down and then question them if you need something explained better.

 

[pampam]

Good advice Runwad. I would add that you read what you have written back to the doctor as you understand it. They usually correct you if you have misunderstood, or add to the information they have given you.

 

[LSUmiss]

I’m so sorry. This happened to my dad last yr. And that was my exact thought...how fast everything can change. Hoping for the best prognosis for him.

 

[gillep]

I am so sorry. You and your family are in my thoughts. Stay on top of the doctors, and get second and third opinions until you are satisfied with the answers and standard of care he is receiving.

 

[emmybee]

If his pain isn't controlled, and his heart rate is too high when he stands, don't let them intimidate you into taking him home! The sad thing is that the nurses and discharge planners may not have the ability to truly advocate for your husband w/out fear of being fired. I don't know what state you are in, but consider this as a possible motivation for sending him home today despite it sounding like he is unstable. Some administrator may have decided that enough money has been spent for now, and the staff have little choice in the matter but to comply.

If you go home and he is doing poorly, don't second guess yourself. Take him back to the ER. Keep notes because it's hard to keep track of up from down with so much stress. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[kirstenb1]

Some great advice here. Will pray for your husband.

 

[TB'sWidow]

Nothing I say is going to be of much comfort to you, but I am going to send you love and strength and positive thoughts. So many people here are going to be in your corner. You won’t be alone and you’re bound to find many who understand you fear and worry. Hold on. We’re here for you.

I second this we are here for you an my thoughts an prayers for a good prognosis for your family.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

So sorry to hear,sending hugs and prayers.

 

[low-key]

I admit this doesnt sound good, but you dont know yet, so let it play out, as quickly as your life turned upside down and might just as quickly get back to normal ( nothing wrong with being an optimist as long as it could be true, and this still could be very correctable)

 

[Lori74]

 

[mom2rb]

I am sending positive thoughts.

 

[rodeo65]

Thank you ll so much for your support! It helps so much to see the messages. I'll respond and update tomorrow - exhausted now...