.... we are back in KL - having arrived here, via Melaka, yesterday just after noon. Our very dear friend from Singapore (HP) came with us, to keep us company, cheer us up, and lend whatever assistance she could offer for the trip. It was great having her with us - because she DID help to cheer us up, a lot... and she was very helpful when it came to running small errands when I did not dare leave Husband alone. Thank you HP :-)
Husband is doing reasonably well - it has been just over 3 weeks since the op and he is recovering steadily, but he is in SUCH a lot of discomfort from the bed sore. The surgeon had prescribed this unusual dressing which comes impregnated with silver which is apparently a natural antiseptic. We change the dressing every couple of days (it can remain on the sore for a max of 7 days), and I can see, everytime I change the dressing, that the sore is getting better. Unfortunately it takes a LOT of time to get better, so the discomfort will be there for a while yet.
We have an appointment with the surgeon on Wednesday, when we hope to sort out several things - including the 2nd operation to push the small intestine back into place, close the hole in his abdomen where it was poking out, and therefore eliminating the need for the colostomy bag. What else do we need to sort out? Well, one thing I have not said in my previous two postings is that it has been confirmed that Husband has colon cancer. Currently identified as Stage 3, but we need to have a CT scan of the lungs, abdomen and pelvis done asap, to check if it has spread. If it has, then it is Stage 4. We are not letting this get us down. We will take each day as it comes, as a blessing, and we will do whatever is necessary to fight this. This is where your prayers will come in so helpful, as I strongly believe in the power of prayer.
Once the scan has been done, and the 2nd op done as well, Husband can start on chemotherapy. As part of the 2nd op the surgeon has recommended that Husband has a 'chemo-port' implanted, just under the skin, below the collar bone. The chemo-port is kinda like an IV. The part that the needle gets connected to is the part under the skin. From there a fine tube runs through the vena cava (the main vein leading to the heart), and it stops just short of the heart. This will make it easy to do the chemo, as it won't be necessary to look for a vein each time, and it will allow Husband to be completely mobile and go about life as usual during chemo, rather than being bed-bound in a hospital. It is also the best delivery mechanism as the chemo drugs get pumped straight from the heart to the whole body.
While we were in Melaka, we had the opportunity to speak to the oncologist, and he was able to tell us about the expected side effects. Would you believe that the biggest worries (hair loss and constant nausea) are NOT side effects of these drugs? In fact, the biggest side effect, and that is also generally something that slowly wears off over the months after completion of chemo, is numbness of the fingers. Husband is a bit worried that it might stop him from playing the guitar, the piano and the clarinet, but, to both of us, this side effect is worth it to have the treatment work.
Well my friends, now you know the whole story. Pray for us, keep us in your thoughts, especially for strength for Husband. Thank you for listening, and, till next time, may life continue to be good to you in these difficult times...
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