02.03.25 This has been the most difficult week yet. Rod was admitted to the oncology ward for rehydration and to have a stent fitted. That was on Monday and he's still there today, Sunday. He was put on blood infusions because his counts were so low. His stomach is swollen massively and, despite not eating for well over a week, he has gained 3.5 kg.
After he was asked if he wanted a DNR on Friday, I rushed back home from work to call the hospital. The oncologist standing in for Rod's usual doctor called me back and was lovely. She spent about half an hour explaining everything that has been happening. She suspects a bleed from the tumour. When the stent was fitted into Rod's oesophagus late Friday afternoon, they used a camera to help with the procedure and, when she is back in work on Monday, she will be able to see if this is the case. If so, he will have radiotherapy to stop the bleed. A drain will also be fitted on Monday to alleviate the swelling in his abdomen. The doctor said this fluid is produced by the cancer in his peritoneum. They will continue to do so unless chemo can stop them. He can't have chemo until he's strong enough. So, he needs his bloods to return to normal, the swelling gone and a return to eating. He could barely manage to drink most of the week, but seems to be okay with this now the stent is in. He has no appetite for food or liquid supplements because of the pressure on all of his organs.
His pain has increased over the week but is now adequately managed since Friday, with morphine injections.
It seems unbelievable that we were skiing just over a month ago and he was drinking beer and eating curry 3 weeks ago. The doctor was shocked when she saw him and told me his cancer must have become more aggressive for there to have been such a rapid deterioration.
His usual oncologist and his Macmillan nurse are back this week, I think. They were both off work last week.
Hoping for some improvement this week.
