You ask all the questions you need to and f them if they dont like it. This is a days work for them but it’s life changing for you.
Make a list of your questions. I used to go in with a legal pad, plus I started a 3 ring notebook with dividers and page protectors and an index and I put info on each dr, all his labs, meds, anything else I could get my hands on in there.
That came in really handy the couple of times I had to take him to the ER because he couldn’t stop vomiting .
Thinking of you both today!! Just sending thoughts!!
No advice with respect to bladder cancer. But hugs!
My dad was diagnosed with stage II melanoma a few years ago. No lymph node involvement that they could detect. Unfortunately this winter they found that it had aggressively spread to his lungs and at least a dozen lymph nodes. Those were removed surgically in March and then he started combination immunotherapy. They’re switching him to a single drug instead of the combo though because he had several severe reactions that landed him in ICU. He had a contrast CT this week so fingers crossed things have stabilized.
My mom is strong and independent but I find that I get just as sad thinking about how her life is changing as I do thinking about how much I’ll miss my dad when he eventually goes.
Best wishes to your family. Hopefully everything goes smoothly. Ask lots of questions. A binder with all of his medical records could be helpful, especially if you end up in the ER. At minimum have an up to date list of medications.
Hi Annie,
Mostly okay. Nervous about the first chemotherapy appointment on Thursday. I keep wondering next weekend if he will feel up to puttering in the yard, what I should make for dinner, etc. I just want to know how it’s going to go.
I rode my younger guy today, Asher, and visited my retired guy, Dollar. That helped make me feel somewhat normal.
IME after the first one up to about 3 they feel pretty good. It sort of has a cumulative effect it seems… although I think it depends too on his condition going in and what type of chemo it is. Everyone responds differently.
my husband got very heat sensitive and keeping him well hydrated was muy importante and I cannot stress that enough.
My niece as well! She is on year #3 of leukemia treatment and I believe the heat intolerence started this year (maybe a new medication, I’m not sure).
How is she doing?
She’s doing great! Just finished first grade (she did kindergarten virtually), which she loved and is really doing well. Most of her treatments now are at-home oral and she just has to go in to the hospital more for monitering. Thank you for asking!
Oh good! A dear friends daughter went thru that as well at the same age. She just graduated from high school, she’s a fabulous ballerina and is headed away to college in the fall…
another friend has a very young daughter, I think she’s 4 or 5 and she just tested clear also.
All these success stories for these young people make me very happy .
That’s awesome. It must be an age thing: a high school classmate’s daughter was diagnosed at that age as well. She is now 12 or 13 and has been cancer free for several years.
Today is our first day of chemo. We have about 45 min left. It’s a whole process with the labs, office visit check in and then the chemo itself. The cycle consists of 2 drugs day 1, 1 drug day8 and then rest the following week.
My two stepsons have picked a few treatments to attend as well. We have sheltered them over the years but at 30 and 26, they are grown men and it’s okay for them to face this and be a part of it. Their support will help my husband a lot so I’m thankful they are participating in his care.
Best wishes for the coming treatments. I’m glad your sons will be involved
Be sure he shares any discomfort he feels…there is so much that sometimes helps. Many are stoic and don’t want to
say anything or be what he or she perceives to be a burden.
Prayers and jingles all goes well. Glad his sons can be there some, too. Teamwork makes it work!
Thinking about you, your DH and family as chemo starts.
My dad had bladder cancer 15+ yrs ago. Had the tumor removed and did chemo as well. (his chemo was injected down his urethra and then he had to “hold it in” before he could relieve himself. He had this done at Shands at U of FL in Gainesville.
He used to be checked twice a year, and once he hit year 10 its only every year now.
You guys got this!!! We are all thinking of you and your family!
Today, Dean got up and went to an appointment for work. Then worked in his office (well, our basement lol) and did some errands. He even picked up an Rx for me. This man is a go getter and is hard to keep down. Such a positive spirit. He said to me last night “today was a good day Honey”. After his first day of chemo. I love him more and more.
@RJC I am drinking an Enterade today! I may need them on his chemo days for my stomach 
Nerves will do that to you.
Glad his first day of chemo went well and jingles for many more good days ahead for both of you. Keeping you in my thoughts 
They are not going to hate all your questions. I lost my DH to colon cancer a little over 6 years ago. It was terrible. But as a life-long reporter and curious person, I could not stop reading or asking questions. I read up on every.single.thing DH was taking, and would sometimes see “the rare but serious side effect” caution deep in the literature and ask about it. A few times his treatment changed because of it.
DH’s medical team respected that we were both seriously invested in his treatment, were willing to work at educating ourselves enough to ask good and sometimes pointed questions. They work best as a team, and we were part of it.
I am so very sorry for your troubles. Reach out if I can be useful.
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