The doctor just came in to talk with us. His oncologist is booked today in the clinic and can't see us. Denny is going to be discharged today. He has an appointment on Thursday to discuss "options". In the meantime, they are sending Denny home with a pain management regimen that will hold him until Thursday.
Thanks for checking in.
Monday, September 22, 2014
The Perfect Storm
Have you seen the movie, "The Perfect Storm", with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg? Clooney is a fishing boat Captain and Wahlberg is his hired hand. They take off in search of fish and end up in the storm of the Century. A hurricane of epic proportions develops because all the ingredients are there.
TheWoodruff4 are in the middle of our own "Perfect Storm". All the ingredients for disaster are here: chemo quit working, tumor is growing, pain is escalating. However, even though our ship is being tossed on the stormy seas, we are still united and holding strong.
Yesterday, I had to work. When I said, "goodbye" to Denny in the morning, I noticed his cheek was getting red and his left eye was watering profusely. These are the symptoms that signal the return of the tumor. By the time I got home last night at 10 p.m., his face was drastically swollen. He was in pain and it wasn't controlled. I called the on-call oncology service and they said to bring him in. He was admitted to Vanderbilt and is in 11 North, Room 11029.
He was supposed to be going in for another round of chemo tomorrow. With the terrible reaction and hospital stay he had last week combined with the uncontrolled tumor growth, we are afraid the situation is getting away from us. It may be past the point that chemo will be effective. Tomorrow, his oncologist is going to see him so we will have her opinion. We don't know if he will be getting chemo or if they will be possibly calling in hospice.
With that in mind, I called the kids to tell them what was happening. Dan got in his SUV drove to pick Dana up and they were home by 4:00 pm today. The three of us went to the hospital today; totally surprising Denny. He had tears of joy in his eyes; seeing Dana and Dan in the doorway to his room. There were lots of hugs and kisses. Each kid had a chance to be alone with their Dad for some one-on-one time to just say what was in their hearts.
Denny was so happy to see the kids. I was happy to have our family together in one place again;even if it had to be a hospital room. It was bittersweet but also a relief because it is time. Time is precious. We don't want to waste even a minute together to say the things we need and want to say. Tonight, we felt the comfort of love surrounding us.
Thanks for checking in. I'll update with information as it becomes available. Please continue to pray. God is with us.
TheWoodruff4 are in the middle of our own "Perfect Storm". All the ingredients for disaster are here: chemo quit working, tumor is growing, pain is escalating. However, even though our ship is being tossed on the stormy seas, we are still united and holding strong.
Yesterday, I had to work. When I said, "goodbye" to Denny in the morning, I noticed his cheek was getting red and his left eye was watering profusely. These are the symptoms that signal the return of the tumor. By the time I got home last night at 10 p.m., his face was drastically swollen. He was in pain and it wasn't controlled. I called the on-call oncology service and they said to bring him in. He was admitted to Vanderbilt and is in 11 North, Room 11029.
He was supposed to be going in for another round of chemo tomorrow. With the terrible reaction and hospital stay he had last week combined with the uncontrolled tumor growth, we are afraid the situation is getting away from us. It may be past the point that chemo will be effective. Tomorrow, his oncologist is going to see him so we will have her opinion. We don't know if he will be getting chemo or if they will be possibly calling in hospice.
With that in mind, I called the kids to tell them what was happening. Dan got in his SUV drove to pick Dana up and they were home by 4:00 pm today. The three of us went to the hospital today; totally surprising Denny. He had tears of joy in his eyes; seeing Dana and Dan in the doorway to his room. There were lots of hugs and kisses. Each kid had a chance to be alone with their Dad for some one-on-one time to just say what was in their hearts.
Denny was so happy to see the kids. I was happy to have our family together in one place again;even if it had to be a hospital room. It was bittersweet but also a relief because it is time. Time is precious. We don't want to waste even a minute together to say the things we need and want to say. Tonight, we felt the comfort of love surrounding us.
Thanks for checking in. I'll update with information as it becomes available. Please continue to pray. God is with us.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Lois Ain't Happy
Denny was finally discharged from the hospital around 4 pm today. I'm aggravated because he is still battling the gastrointestinal issues. We are just supposed to "watch" for improvement. Okay, so the problem wasn't solved and they're really not sure what the problem is, so send him home for us to figure it out? He is supposed to get another treatment on Monday. How is that going to work? Lois ain't happy.
On a brighter note, Superman is eating and holding the food and liquids down. This is definitely an improvement. He is getting some color back and is acting more like himself; not so lethargic. We'll keep you posted on his progress on the blog. Have a great rest-of-the-week!
On a brighter note, Superman is eating and holding the food and liquids down. This is definitely an improvement. He is getting some color back and is acting more like himself; not so lethargic. We'll keep you posted on his progress on the blog. Have a great rest-of-the-week!
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Fierce Fighter
Here is an update on Superman. He is still in the hospital. It was nice to see him eat solid food and be able to keep it down. Some other gastrointestinal issues are still a problem. The docs are taking him off of IV meds and starting oral ones. If the residual problem clears up tonight and his food stays down, he will probably be discharged sometime tomorrow.
He is in good spirits and obviously feeling much better. His color is more normal, although still pale. The oncologist seems to think the chemo is working, I certainly hope so after the hell he has been through. His next infusion is September 22nd. The docs are working on a proactive preventative plan to address the problems he experienced this time. The only other alternative would be to stop the chemo and we know that is not an option.
Superman is in good spirits. He was enjoying the St. Louis Cardinals game tonight and drinking a large vanilla milkshake (with a cherry on top) that his sidekick (me) brought him today. He is a fierce fighter and continues to battle this cancer every moment of the day. Thank you for your prayers, cards, and encouragement. We could not do this without the support of our family and friends. Thank you.
He is in good spirits and obviously feeling much better. His color is more normal, although still pale. The oncologist seems to think the chemo is working, I certainly hope so after the hell he has been through. His next infusion is September 22nd. The docs are working on a proactive preventative plan to address the problems he experienced this time. The only other alternative would be to stop the chemo and we know that is not an option.
Superman is in good spirits. He was enjoying the St. Louis Cardinals game tonight and drinking a large vanilla milkshake (with a cherry on top) that his sidekick (me) brought him today. He is a fierce fighter and continues to battle this cancer every moment of the day. Thank you for your prayers, cards, and encouragement. We could not do this without the support of our family and friends. Thank you.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Thanks, Dad!
Denny had an infusion of Irinotecan on September 8th. Since then it has been a battle with nausea and other gastrointestinal unpleasantries. Superman has tried his very best to overcome these issues but we had to get medical intervention. This chemo is so strong and harsh. He has had a very rough time. He has lost 7 pounds in one week. The oncologist is very concerned about this so she has admitted him today at Vanderbilt. They will be giving him anti-nausea drugs and other IV fluids to help get the situation under control.
This morning when we woke up, I could tell he was having a difficult time. I got up, fed the animals and ran to the grocery store for some things that might help. He looked so white and still, it was scary. As I drove, I could hear myself whispering, "Come on, Superman. Come on, Superman". I want, so badly, for him to fly out of trouble once again. My knuckles were white; gripping the steering wheel in tension. I had silent tears rolling down my cheeks. Suddenly, it was as if I stepped outside myself and looked at the condition I was in. I could hear my Dad's voice say "Guilliams' don't quit!" Well, Woodruffs don' t either. I went home and got this ball rolling. Denny is now cozily esconced in a private room, drinking Root Beer and eating a cookie. We are not quitters. We are fighters. Thanks for the reminder, Dad.
This morning when we woke up, I could tell he was having a difficult time. I got up, fed the animals and ran to the grocery store for some things that might help. He looked so white and still, it was scary. As I drove, I could hear myself whispering, "Come on, Superman. Come on, Superman". I want, so badly, for him to fly out of trouble once again. My knuckles were white; gripping the steering wheel in tension. I had silent tears rolling down my cheeks. Suddenly, it was as if I stepped outside myself and looked at the condition I was in. I could hear my Dad's voice say "Guilliams' don't quit!" Well, Woodruffs don' t either. I went home and got this ball rolling. Denny is now cozily esconced in a private room, drinking Root Beer and eating a cookie. We are not quitters. We are fighters. Thanks for the reminder, Dad.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Angels in Disguise
Denny and I went to see the oncologist on Monday. He was not scheduled for an infusion; just labs and an office visit. When the oncologist saw him, she revised her original plan for Denny's chemo schedule. Instead of having him wait another week for chemo, she decided to schedule him for an infusion right away. She said the Irinotecan needs time to work. She felt he was having a "minimal response" so she wanted to get the infusion going. She said, "Let's give this some time to work." He will not be able to get an infusion on the 15th so his next infusion will be the 22nd.
Denny is battling nausea right now. We got some different medicine to help keep his stomach settled. He is eating soft foods because the tumor causes bulging in the roof of his mouth. He is particularly fond of sherbet because he says coldness feels good to him. He is doing a great job of keeping hydrated. He drinks Ensure, iced tea, V8, water, and gatorade. Those are all good things.
I want to share some wonderful things with you. First, Dan got a Men's Club scholarship from church. He can use it to supplement his meal plan so we are very happy about that. Along with that came an envelope with $500 cash from an anonymous donor for Dana. We did not have Dana apply for the Men's club scholarship this year because we did not want the kids to be competing against each other. So this generous person(s), wanted to make sure she wasn't left out. TheWoodruff4 were speechless! We plan to pay it forward.
Those of you on facebook know how much I value my co-workers. They are such positive and encouraging people. When I go to work, I know I will come home feeling stronger. They do this for me.
Yesterday, I went to work and was worried about Denny and thinking of how this Irinotecan was making him feel bad. I guess I was different than usual because my co-workers picked up on it and asked me what was going on. I told them and, as usual, they surrounded me with love and encouragement.
A few hours later, my friend, Jess, sat down next to me and said, "We want to do something to help you through this. We are going to start making meals for you and Denny to help take some stress off of you." Now, my wonderful friends at church have offered the same thing and I told them things were not bad enough to put everyone to that trouble. However, my work friends see things differently. Being healthcare people, they do what they think is best and do not listen to me. Haha! So, my Angels in disguise, have put together a schedule for themselves to supply meals for Denny and me. I got a text last night telling me when and where to pick them up (since Denny and I will be at the hospital those days).
With all the terrible news we have been seeing lately, doesn't this make you smile? I had tears in my eyes because I didn't know how to thank them. I'm used to being the help giver not the receiver. As my friend, Sami said, "It is humbling, isn't it, to let people help you? I know because I've been through it too, Just let people help you,"
I wish I could thank all of the people who have helped us just in the past week. You know who you are! This blog post would go on forever if I posted all the names. Yes, we are in a different state from our family but we are surrounded by love. Denny and I just want to say, "Thank You,"
Denny is battling nausea right now. We got some different medicine to help keep his stomach settled. He is eating soft foods because the tumor causes bulging in the roof of his mouth. He is particularly fond of sherbet because he says coldness feels good to him. He is doing a great job of keeping hydrated. He drinks Ensure, iced tea, V8, water, and gatorade. Those are all good things.
I want to share some wonderful things with you. First, Dan got a Men's Club scholarship from church. He can use it to supplement his meal plan so we are very happy about that. Along with that came an envelope with $500 cash from an anonymous donor for Dana. We did not have Dana apply for the Men's club scholarship this year because we did not want the kids to be competing against each other. So this generous person(s), wanted to make sure she wasn't left out. TheWoodruff4 were speechless! We plan to pay it forward.
Those of you on facebook know how much I value my co-workers. They are such positive and encouraging people. When I go to work, I know I will come home feeling stronger. They do this for me.
Yesterday, I went to work and was worried about Denny and thinking of how this Irinotecan was making him feel bad. I guess I was different than usual because my co-workers picked up on it and asked me what was going on. I told them and, as usual, they surrounded me with love and encouragement.
A few hours later, my friend, Jess, sat down next to me and said, "We want to do something to help you through this. We are going to start making meals for you and Denny to help take some stress off of you." Now, my wonderful friends at church have offered the same thing and I told them things were not bad enough to put everyone to that trouble. However, my work friends see things differently. Being healthcare people, they do what they think is best and do not listen to me. Haha! So, my Angels in disguise, have put together a schedule for themselves to supply meals for Denny and me. I got a text last night telling me when and where to pick them up (since Denny and I will be at the hospital those days).
With all the terrible news we have been seeing lately, doesn't this make you smile? I had tears in my eyes because I didn't know how to thank them. I'm used to being the help giver not the receiver. As my friend, Sami said, "It is humbling, isn't it, to let people help you? I know because I've been through it too, Just let people help you,"
I wish I could thank all of the people who have helped us just in the past week. You know who you are! This blog post would go on forever if I posted all the names. Yes, we are in a different state from our family but we are surrounded by love. Denny and I just want to say, "Thank You,"
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Somewhere Over the Rainbow...
We went to Vanderbilt today. We were unsure what the plan was since neither of us feel the Irinotecan is working. Denny's labs came back fine so we went to the Infusion clinic. Normally, Denny sees the oncologist but today the nurse practitioner came to us. She said she could see how swollen his face was and understood that we felt it was not working. However, they wanted to have him go through another treatment because it was too soon to tell if it is working or not. She said Denny is not the norm. Most people do not have as quick a response to chemo that he does. So the fact that he didn't respond as quickly, doesn't necessarily mean this is not working. So, he got an infusion of Irinotecan today. We are ready in case he has nausea again. He has some medication to help keep it controlled.
When we left the clinic, a storm was moving over the city. The sky was a curious shade of blue. The Nashville skyline was spectacularly highlighted by the muted sun. As we drove toward home, a double rainbow appeared. It was so beautiful! Denny said, "Wow! I think this is God's way of saying, I'm still here!" We looked at each other and smiled.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring so we are living in the moment. We say prayers that Superman can keep fighting. I see his strength and courage every hour of every day. Go, Denny, Go!
Thanks for checking in. We appreciate all of you!
When we left the clinic, a storm was moving over the city. The sky was a curious shade of blue. The Nashville skyline was spectacularly highlighted by the muted sun. As we drove toward home, a double rainbow appeared. It was so beautiful! Denny said, "Wow! I think this is God's way of saying, I'm still here!" We looked at each other and smiled.
We don't know what tomorrow will bring so we are living in the moment. We say prayers that Superman can keep fighting. I see his strength and courage every hour of every day. Go, Denny, Go!
Thanks for checking in. We appreciate all of you!
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