Hello all,
Some new updates. My dad has been relatively stable now for the past week or so. A repeat CT scan was done just to see the progress of his cancer and it looks about the same. It also shows the same severe obstruction that they saw before. The consensus now seems to be that it's a mechanical obstruction - caused by the cancer - the bowels are narrowed and kinked and twisted. It's obviously not completely blocked because my dad continues to have minimal pain, no nausea or vomiting and he's having consistent bowel movements. He's booked to have a G tube placed on Thursday as a back-up. Basically the tube will be inserted through his skin into his stomach and if his bowels close off and cause him to get backed up and become nauseous he can open up the tube and drain off the stomach contents relieving his symptoms and possibly preventing another hospital admission. Whether or not he can also have feeds through this tube is still being discussed.
His main issues now are deconditioning and strength as well as malnutrition. He is on full fluid diet and will rely on ensures/boosts going forward. My dad finds it tough to eat so if we could get his feeds through the tube that would be helpful. Additionally, my dad has become progressively weaker throughout his hospital admission. He has difficulty doing stairs right now so he's going to have to work with physiotherapy before he can come home. We're hoping once the tube is put in maybe we can feed him through there and give him more strength so he can work with physio better and get stronger.
Additionally, my sister Holly and her fiancee Chris have decided to move up their wedding from December 10th. They are still having the December wedding that is already planned, but with the uncertainty surrounding my dad my sister wanted to ensure that he could celebrate with her on her big day. They have decided to have a very small private ceremony in September for just the immediate family followed by a dinner and we're hopeful my dad can get out of the hospital in time to walk her down the aisle.
As always thanks for all the love and support. We will continue to update as my dad progresses.
Matt
Sunday, 28 August 2016
Saturday, 20 August 2016
aug 20
Dr's are letting Rick eat normal food now. He had ice cream yesterday!
His liver functions are normal so the new stent is doing the job and the Drs don't feel they will have to do an external drain.
The next hurdle is the c diff infection, once that is under control and barring any other complications Rick will be able to go home in another week to ten days.
Any new developments I will update.
Thank you to all for your support
Xo
His liver functions are normal so the new stent is doing the job and the Drs don't feel they will have to do an external drain.
The next hurdle is the c diff infection, once that is under control and barring any other complications Rick will be able to go home in another week to ten days.
Any new developments I will update.
Thank you to all for your support
Xo
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
August 17
Hello all Matt here again,
Some updates - my dad is doing well. Yesterday he was not looking good at all to the point that the medical team asked for immediate family to be called in just in case the worst should happen. Thankfully, however, he responded nicely to medical treatment, and is now stable.
In brief, my dad has 3 issues he's dealing with.
1. Bowel obstruction. He now has been passing gas and having bowel movements. He has had the tube from his nose to his stomach removed with minimal nausea. These are good signs. His appetite has not yet improved and he is still having pain so we're not entirely out of the woods but things are trending in the right direction.
2. Bowel infection. C difficile (particular bug) to be specific. This is actually good news believe it or not. Since he has this infection that we previously didn't know about it is quite possible that this was a major player in causing his obstruction - When your bowels are infected it can sometimes cause them to be irritated and sluggish (it is much more common to get diarrhea, so it's atypical and not something the team initially thinks of). Additionally, it is also a major reason he deteriorated so rapidly the other day. He is being treated with antibiotics and we're optimistic this will clear up.
3. Yet another stent blockage. Basically, the tube keeping the drain open to remove bile from the liver got blocked again - maybe because of his cancer, maybe because he just has thick sludgy bile for no reason in particular. He had another procedure today (ercp) and they cleaned out the tube and inserted a new bigger one. Hopefully that will remain open and drain off the bile. If it doesn't it's problematic as the liver doesn't like it when it gets all backed up with nowhere for the bile to go. Moreover, when the bile is just sitting there stagnant not moving anywhere bugs grow wild and it has a tendency to cause a nasty infection. Thus, if my dad's liver studies don't improve in the next few days that basically means the stent isn't draining. In that scenario my dad would then need a new tube inserted from outside through his belly and into the bile ducts to drain it off. (right now the tube is inserted from the inside through his intestine up inside the duct). Because the stent was all clogged up today he is also on different antibiotics to treat this potential infection.
We're optimistic things will continue to improve in the coming days. My dad was tuckered out today from the meds they gave him for the procedure but his pain seems to be well controlled. He remains in good spirits and has no quit in him. We will continue to update as his condition changes and more information becomes available. As always, we appreciate all the love and support.
Some updates - my dad is doing well. Yesterday he was not looking good at all to the point that the medical team asked for immediate family to be called in just in case the worst should happen. Thankfully, however, he responded nicely to medical treatment, and is now stable.
In brief, my dad has 3 issues he's dealing with.
1. Bowel obstruction. He now has been passing gas and having bowel movements. He has had the tube from his nose to his stomach removed with minimal nausea. These are good signs. His appetite has not yet improved and he is still having pain so we're not entirely out of the woods but things are trending in the right direction.
2. Bowel infection. C difficile (particular bug) to be specific. This is actually good news believe it or not. Since he has this infection that we previously didn't know about it is quite possible that this was a major player in causing his obstruction - When your bowels are infected it can sometimes cause them to be irritated and sluggish (it is much more common to get diarrhea, so it's atypical and not something the team initially thinks of). Additionally, it is also a major reason he deteriorated so rapidly the other day. He is being treated with antibiotics and we're optimistic this will clear up.
3. Yet another stent blockage. Basically, the tube keeping the drain open to remove bile from the liver got blocked again - maybe because of his cancer, maybe because he just has thick sludgy bile for no reason in particular. He had another procedure today (ercp) and they cleaned out the tube and inserted a new bigger one. Hopefully that will remain open and drain off the bile. If it doesn't it's problematic as the liver doesn't like it when it gets all backed up with nowhere for the bile to go. Moreover, when the bile is just sitting there stagnant not moving anywhere bugs grow wild and it has a tendency to cause a nasty infection. Thus, if my dad's liver studies don't improve in the next few days that basically means the stent isn't draining. In that scenario my dad would then need a new tube inserted from outside through his belly and into the bile ducts to drain it off. (right now the tube is inserted from the inside through his intestine up inside the duct). Because the stent was all clogged up today he is also on different antibiotics to treat this potential infection.
We're optimistic things will continue to improve in the coming days. My dad was tuckered out today from the meds they gave him for the procedure but his pain seems to be well controlled. He remains in good spirits and has no quit in him. We will continue to update as his condition changes and more information becomes available. As always, we appreciate all the love and support.
aug 17
Rick had a very difficult day yesterday. He is stable now. The Drs called us all in because Rick's condition was deteriorating very quickly. With some absolutely amazing medical care they were able to stabilize everything and Rick is probably feeling the best he has felt in a long time! Amazing how quickly he responded.
Today Rick will have another ercp to put in yet another new stent.
Thank you to everyone.
Today Rick will have another ercp to put in yet another new stent.
Thank you to everyone.
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
aug 16
Dr's feel we won't know for sure if the obstruction will clear with the course of steroids for about a week. Pain management unfortunately continues to be an issue. There is nothing else to do but wait, hope and pray.
I will update with anything new.
Kathleen
I will update with anything new.
Kathleen
Friday, 12 August 2016
August 12
Hello all Matt here again.
Yesterday my dad went to the hospital with a lot of belly pain and some nausea. Unfortunately, he was found to have a small bowel obstruction. He was admitted and will stay in hospital for probably at least 10 days minimum. We know my dad has advanced cancer and he has little tiny tumours that have spread and are speckled all over his bowels. With respect to what's going on, however, we do not have a clear answer at this point. Basically there are 2 differing opinions.
Medical oncology (cancer docs) feel that my dad's most recent CT scan has not changed that significantly from his previous scan, indicating that maybe the chemo is keeping the cancer at bay for the time being. It hasn't shrunk, but it hasn't gotten horrendously worse according to them. Their thinking is that the chemo my dad has been receiving may be working to a certain extent, and as a byproduct of the toxic nature of the drugs, it has made his bowels unhappy and sluggish. Their goal is to give him medications to decrease inflammation, and remove secretions his bowels are producing via a suction tube going from his nose to his stomach. The hope is that his bowels pick up again on their own in time. If this turns out to be true, this would be the best case scenario and my dad could eventually go on with more chemo once his bowels recover.
General surgery on the other hand does think my dad's most recent CT scan is worse than prior, indicating his cancer is progressing. Because he has so many tiny tumours spread all across his bowels, surgery is not an option. They think the obstruction in his bowel right now may be due to the tumours and that it's causing the intestines to kink and narrow/twist. If this is the case, my dad may need a more permanent tube inserted from outside his belly into his stomach and into his intestines to intermittently remove the gas and fluids backing up from his blocked intestine. More importantly, however, if this scenario is true my dad will no longer be able to eat or obtain adequate nutrition and sadly, he will likely deteriorate quite rapidly.
It was another tough and emotional day for our family, especially receiving two different stories and prognoses with respect to my dad's condition. Bottom line is there is no certainty in medicine sometimes. But regardless of which scenario is actually true in this case, the management remains the same. Thus, we just have to wait and see how my dad does and if he starts having bowel movements/no nausea/decreased pain that will be a good sign. At the end of the day all we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Everyone is doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances. My dad is hanging tough no matter what is thrown his way. As always, we feel the love from all of you and we appreciate all your support. I will update as more information becomes available.
Yesterday my dad went to the hospital with a lot of belly pain and some nausea. Unfortunately, he was found to have a small bowel obstruction. He was admitted and will stay in hospital for probably at least 10 days minimum. We know my dad has advanced cancer and he has little tiny tumours that have spread and are speckled all over his bowels. With respect to what's going on, however, we do not have a clear answer at this point. Basically there are 2 differing opinions.
Medical oncology (cancer docs) feel that my dad's most recent CT scan has not changed that significantly from his previous scan, indicating that maybe the chemo is keeping the cancer at bay for the time being. It hasn't shrunk, but it hasn't gotten horrendously worse according to them. Their thinking is that the chemo my dad has been receiving may be working to a certain extent, and as a byproduct of the toxic nature of the drugs, it has made his bowels unhappy and sluggish. Their goal is to give him medications to decrease inflammation, and remove secretions his bowels are producing via a suction tube going from his nose to his stomach. The hope is that his bowels pick up again on their own in time. If this turns out to be true, this would be the best case scenario and my dad could eventually go on with more chemo once his bowels recover.
General surgery on the other hand does think my dad's most recent CT scan is worse than prior, indicating his cancer is progressing. Because he has so many tiny tumours spread all across his bowels, surgery is not an option. They think the obstruction in his bowel right now may be due to the tumours and that it's causing the intestines to kink and narrow/twist. If this is the case, my dad may need a more permanent tube inserted from outside his belly into his stomach and into his intestines to intermittently remove the gas and fluids backing up from his blocked intestine. More importantly, however, if this scenario is true my dad will no longer be able to eat or obtain adequate nutrition and sadly, he will likely deteriorate quite rapidly.
It was another tough and emotional day for our family, especially receiving two different stories and prognoses with respect to my dad's condition. Bottom line is there is no certainty in medicine sometimes. But regardless of which scenario is actually true in this case, the management remains the same. Thus, we just have to wait and see how my dad does and if he starts having bowel movements/no nausea/decreased pain that will be a good sign. At the end of the day all we can do is prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Everyone is doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances. My dad is hanging tough no matter what is thrown his way. As always, we feel the love from all of you and we appreciate all your support. I will update as more information becomes available.
Thursday, 4 August 2016
Round three of chemo
Rick has had a great 10 days. We were able to go to Wasaga beach and visit Ricks cousins. Rick went for an overnight to Michael's stag in Niagara Falls. He enjoyed seeing all the guys, young and old, who came together for a long weekend filled with golfing, gambling and no doubt a bit of drinking !
This Wednesday we saw the oncologist and he is very pleased with Ricks blood work and how he has responded to the chemo. The third round of chemo will begin this Monday for two weeks and then off for a week.
Rick continues to be a real trooper, trying to take everything in that he can. Some days he is exhausted, and other days he has energy to take on little projects like painting wedding table blocks for Michael and Alyssa's wedding.
We are blessed to have so much support around us, we get strength from all of you. The emails, texts, phone calls, visits and of course prayers are so much appreciated. Our freezer is full, thank you to everyone who has dropped off food. It's especially great when the kids are home on the weekend not to have to worry about I'm going to feed them!
Our kids are amazing , they give us such joy, as always. Michael is getting ready for his wedding Oct. 1. Matt is adjusting to being Dr. Steffler, he says he still is getting used to people calling him Dr! And our Holly is such a wonderful therapist and will be a beautiful bride this December.
Hoping the next two weeks of chemo are smooth ........
I will update with anything new .
This Wednesday we saw the oncologist and he is very pleased with Ricks blood work and how he has responded to the chemo. The third round of chemo will begin this Monday for two weeks and then off for a week.
Rick continues to be a real trooper, trying to take everything in that he can. Some days he is exhausted, and other days he has energy to take on little projects like painting wedding table blocks for Michael and Alyssa's wedding.
We are blessed to have so much support around us, we get strength from all of you. The emails, texts, phone calls, visits and of course prayers are so much appreciated. Our freezer is full, thank you to everyone who has dropped off food. It's especially great when the kids are home on the weekend not to have to worry about I'm going to feed them!
Our kids are amazing , they give us such joy, as always. Michael is getting ready for his wedding Oct. 1. Matt is adjusting to being Dr. Steffler, he says he still is getting used to people calling him Dr! And our Holly is such a wonderful therapist and will be a beautiful bride this December.
Hoping the next two weeks of chemo are smooth ........
I will update with anything new .
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