Anyone pass out after abdominal cramping??? ER time

[ginabeewell]

That's exactly how we feel.

Is it even an option to try to reattach a new pump, or is that off the table now given the initial failure?

Not that you would necessarily opt to go that direction - and can certainly understand why you may not - just curious whether or not it would be an open path for you.

Also will be interested to see if you decide to stay with Dr Kemeny if you discontinue the HAI pump. It seems like you haven't been super happy with MSK / Dr K, so if the pump isn't in your future, I am curious about whether you would choose to continue working with them.

[mpbser]

I don't know if it is possible to reattach a new pump. No one has mentioned the concept so far. I don't know if my husband would be interested in that, in any case. He hasn't asked that question or spoken about such an idea to me, so that tells me that he leans towards no interest. I don't know if that will be on the table at our Dr. D'Angelica follow-up appointment this coming Monday (June 3). I suspect that it may not be wise to mess around with the stent that is now in his artery; but, who knows, maybe they have attached these catheters to stents in the past.

I don't anticipate making any drastic changes in the foreseeable future as he is only 1/6th into his treatment, with a significant delay due to complications. It would not make any sense right now to cause any further delays. We do just want a plan of action. ASAP!

[Jannine]

I'm so relieved that he's on the mend at this point. I hope you can get more answers and get the plan sorted out asap. Hope tomorrow's meeting goes well; let us know!

[AmyG]

Any updates?

[mpbser]

Yes, we met with Dr. D'Angelica yesterday. He assured us that the catheter will be fine in there while my husband completes his chemo. He was not too concerned with the blood clot that remains in his scrotum. We will double check with Dr. Kemeny when we see her next Monday, the 10th before chemo treatment. Dr. DA ordered labs and all looks good. However, I do want to ask Dr. Kemeny about the low ALT. I would like her opinion on whether it can be too low and what that might entail. MSK notes a normal range for men as 25-35 (IIRC) and his keeps dropping. It's now 14!

I look forward to next week and getting a move-on.... the sooner he gets through this stage, the better.

[ginabeewell]

Sounds like you are feeling a little more secure about things coming out of yesterday's appointment - if still anxious to bring this chapter to a close!

I wanted to let you know that I saw the Midwestern Medtronic rep yesterday (he comes to Northwestern each time I have my pump flushed to oversee while it is still a new process for them and they are getting various team members trained up). I mentioned your situation and it was clear that he had heard about the patient with the complication. Folks must be taking things very seriously if it is getting back to Medtronic and ultimately the sales reps!

Hope next week goes well and your husband's levels are all set for him to resume treatment. I will be thinking of you.

[mpbser]

Thank you, Gina. Don't think of us while on vacation! Enjoy!