Small Improvement

Thurs, March 19th, 6:30 PM

Ken is hanging in there. He had a tough day yesterday, couldn't breathe, chest felt full, was very worried that the Rituxan wasn't working. His oncologist talked to him about maybe starting regular chemo because of his chest leakage. They decided to wait and see what happens. But Ken was pretty depressed about it and very emotional. The more emotional he gets the harder it is for him to breathe. Visious circle. So since I have the surgeons wife's personal cell phone, I called her last night and set up an appt at 10 this morning the get Ken drained.

But, he was able to get a couple hours sleep sitting up in the reclining loveseat. He actually woke up and thought he felt better. He still was very short of breath and couldn't talk without coughing, but he wrote me a note that he was going to bet the doc that he wouldn't get the full 2 liters when they drained him. He didn't feel as full and was sure the Rituxan was actually working. So we headed to PVH and had an X-Ray. Doc Stanton and his wife who is his assistant, Susan, came to do the procedure, but showed us the X-Ray instead. It showed that there wasn't much more fluid than the X-Ray after his drain on Tues Night. GREAT NEWS. His left lung actually looked a little better. It is his right that has been filling so fast. They did not drain him today. It was only about 30% full. He will still need to be drained, probably multiple times, but it looks like it is slowing down. Yeah. And he hasn't been leaking from his stitches. Double yeah. No yellow guck squirting out.

However, Ken is still having trouble breathing. Susan gave him something to help him sleep. We are hoping that after he gets a couple nights sleep, he will be stronger and can talk again. I gave him my bunco bell and he is using that if I'm not in the room. The hardest has been getting him to eat. Steph came over today and we went thru the pantry and refrig and sorted all the low fat products so we can see be more organized. Doc Stanton said I can't get to much protien in him, so I am going out tonight to get more protien drinks. They are aware that chewing might be to much for him, so it is ok to have him drink his meals. I did make spaghetti for him tonight and he is at least eating that. A smaller plate, but at least he is eating.

So, we aren't ready for guests yet. He just can't talk. And he is moving very slow. We have gotten a couple of calls from Anna in Indonesia. He has been so touched that she has called, but he just can't talk to her. He didn't even get on the computer much today. We distracted him with a nap and a scarry movie. Took his mind off things for a while. We are heading to his 5th Rituxan treatment tomorrow. 4 out of 12 finished, that means he is 1/3 of the way for this 1st treatment series. We are encouraged that it is working and he will get stronger.

Thanks for caring about us and wishing him well. Talk to you soon. Bev and Ken