Chapter 8

1 minute read time.

Joe has been in the Severn Hospice at Shrewsbury for 11 days now.  For anyone reading this blog who has any misgivings about hospices please read on.  The Hospice is fantastic, full of warm and welcoming people who truely care.  The support we have received over the last few days has really strengthened both our bodies and minds to fight this bloody terrible disease.  Sadly Joes pain is still an issue, he had a CT scan on friday to try and determine what is going on.  He had a really bad night on friday so I drove over and stayed with him on saturday night.  Poor boy woke every 2 hours needing oxynorm and buscopan injections and by sunday morning was in a terrible state of anxiety; hyperventilating and sobbing uncontrollably.  His lovely doctor, Clare, came in on her day off with his CT results.  The good news is the CT looks good, the only finding being a moderate amount of ascites in his abdomen which is apparently  to be expected as he has seeding in his peritoneum (still too small for the CT to pick up).  As Joes pain had increased Clare had him admitted to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital to rule out appendicitis, peritonitis, obstruction etc and he was given the all clear this morning.  So, what on earth is going on??  Thoughts today are acute IBS and adhesions, he now has a syringe driver to give continuous pain relief.  By the time I left him this evening he looked much more comfortable and since then he has slept solidly so I can only assume its working.  Im starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel...

Anonymous
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Zoe

    Joe really has gone through a terrible time, it's so unfair on someone so young.  I hope they get to the bottom of his pain and he starts to feel more comfortable. Clare is obviously a very caring doctor. It must be a comfort for you, knowing he is having such good care, if only all doctors were like that.

    Joe is in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how he is getting on.

    Angela xxxx.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    I'm so sorry Joe has had such a terrible time with pain over last couple of weeks.  It's so weird, but sometimes there doesn't seem to be a straightforward explanation of why someone's experiencing so much discomfort. I really hope he starts to feel a bit better very soon,  Jeanie x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Thank you Angela and Jeanie for your kind words.  Well, things are looking up! Joes pain appears to be under control and the drugs in his syringe driver are being reduced.  He now has Fentanyl patches (125mcg), which are being adjusted on a daily basis.  Unfortunately every time he eats he vomits within 30 mins, metachlopramide did work but started to damage his eyesight so it had to be stoppped.  I expect this will improve and is probably due to a mixture of medication side effects and inflammation.  Joe is thoroughly fed up and grumpy but has decided that he would like to go on a cruise when he feels better ( im not invited) so im going to get some brochures and try to get him to focus on happier thoughts.  Will keep you all posted.

    Love and best wishes,

    Zoe xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Zoe

    A cruise is what I'm treating myself to. We're going on 5th May on the Oriana and I can't wait! It was September 2008 when we last went on holiday. Had to cancel our holiday last year because I was diagnosed 1 month prior to our departure. A bit of sun and relaxation will be heaven.

    Pleased to hear that Joe's pain is under control. He has my sympathy with the sickness. I HATE being sick, so I hope that they get that under control for him soon. I'm not surprised that he's grumpy, I would be too.

    Let me know what cruise he choses.

    Take care

    Angela xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember

    Hi Zoe

    Sorry not been in touch but still finding it hard to come to terms with our loss.  Still taking each day as it comes need to get through Daniel's birthday in March.  Great to hear that Joe has his pain under control now, I remember it being so hard and upsetting to see Daniel in so much pain and not being able to do anything to help.  If only being a parent we could take it all away from them and endure the pain for them.

    Brilliant idea - go out and get as many cruise brochures as you can and book a fantastic holiday it will be great for Joe to have something to look forward to.  Send our love to Joe and all take care.

    Jayne Manley