Started the day in a luxury hotel, now at the ER :( - Update

[Kathleen808]

Up and down and up and fricken down. Damn this disease!! Dick has been having a very difficult time recently. We are trying to find some good time in each day but he is dealing with pain and side effects on a regular basis. Chemo days and the day after are obviously hard days and then for the next 12 days until the next chemo it is up and down. Whenever he is down with pain and/or side effects it seems like this is it, the beginning of the end. Then, he rebounds and like we did on Monday we get out on our boards together and enjoy the ocean. We soooooo appreciate these little pockets of good times and Dick constantly amazes me. I swear he is so incredibly strong physically and mentally. I tell him he doesn't have to be that strong if he doesn't feel like it.

Well his wonderful step brother paid for us to take 2 nights away from home and the care of our daughter with special needs in a luxury hotel in Waikiki. It is incredibly nice. Gorgeous view of Diamond Head and the ocean. When we checked in yesterday he was in pain. We got that under control and enjoyed a great evening of room service and fabulous views. This morning I went to yoga on the terrace and then we both went stand up paddling and Dick even caught two waves. After we each took long relaxing baths and then had lunch. I went for a massage and by the time I got back Dick was in level 7 pain. I packed small bags, left the rest of our things in the luxury hotel room and drove to the ER. We think it has something to do with his right kidney. On the drive here I had to pull over so he could throw up. We have been in the ER for almost 2 hours. No doc yet but at least he has had some pain meds. So that's this f''n disease. Mixed feelings between being grateful that we had any time at all in a luxury hotel and then anger at being in the ER and my incredible husband being in pain.

OK, rant over.

Kathleen

[NWgirl]

Kathleen, I'm so sorry. I know you are grateful for the moments you have - no question. But level 7 pain sucks - period. You have every right to be angry.

[pfCml73183]

Sorry to hear this Kathleen. I hope your husband feels better soon.
In peace, Celeste.

[CRguy]

Sending POSI ++++ Vibes yours and Dick's way, for getting this under control and back out to look at the "view"
I missed this last night. Hoping all is much better for you now.

Harmony my friend
CRguy

[grace06]

Kathleen:

You may not remember me but I remember you both so well from CSN. You amaze me with your devotion and care (obvious deep Love) for your husband.

He is lucky to have yoi by his side and you are lucky to have him as I am sure you know.

I hope everything works out for him and he is free of that pain.
I too. despise this disease.

All the best to you both,

grace

[Guinevere]

Kathleen,
I hope he's doing better today and the ER trip was just speed bump!

God bless ~
Guinevere

[Kathleen808]

Hi and thank you so much for the warm replies. It helps to know that there are people out there who get it. Dick's pain began to subside around midnight. They had tried to get an NG tube down him but could not. This has been hard in the past. He threw up quite a bit when they were trying. They think he has a urinary tract infection and/or partial bowel obstruction. He has not had any pain meds since last night at 11pm and it is now 8:30am. They are going to give him an xray and if that looks good, they will let him begin to have liquid. It looks like they will keep him here tonight and then hopefully, if things keep getting better, he will be home tomorrow, July 4th. btw, we did not get settled into a room until 4am!!! That was about 12 hours from the time we arrived.
The good news is I spoke to the hotel manager and explained that we did not sleep in the hotel last night but at the hospital. He said no problem refunding our money for last night. I will go to the hotel in a bit and grab our stuff including our boards and then bring them home. Not sure of plans for me for tonight as our daughter needs special care. I think if Dick is stable I will sleep at home. He really hates being at the hospital alone but I think I need to be at home.

Aloha,
Kathleen

[deb1223]

Kathleen, praying for the best with your husband. Hope you get to return to your fun.

Debbie

[jgall]

Kathleen my old friend! I'm so sorry to hear this, please keep us updated.

[Rob in PA]

So sorry to hear this news Kathleen I hope you get another chance to get away like that for a couple of days some other time.

Here's to better days ahead....

Rob

[Kathleen808]

UPDATE 7-4-14

Happy 4th of July!

Well things have improved. Dick was put on liquids yesterday and things went well. Today, he is on low fiber solids and so far, so good. They have now ruled out uti and think it was a partial blockage. The doc said the pears and roll Dick ate about 45 minutes before the pain started were probably the problem. The pears were still a bit hard. Dick is walking around and feeling more comfortable. I was able to go to the hospital for about 4 hours this morning and made it back into our neighborhood before it gets completely crazy from the fireworks they shoot off over our beach. I am home hunkered down with our dogs and daughter. Our daughter has a very difficult time with fireworks and the noise can trigger seizures. The dogs, they hate the fireworks too. So if you are a praying type or swinging chickens type or hold in the light type, we'll take it for all of us.

Thanks!

Aloha,
Kathleen

[PGLGreg]

I'm very pleased that things are better. Unripe pears -- ugh. I like fireworks, but our dog hates the noises. His theory is that if he finds the right place to hide, he won't hear them, but of course it doesn't really work, so on days like this, he goes from one cubbyhole to another, seeking safety.
Best wishes for Dick and you and your daughter.

[michelle c]

Sorry that you had to leave the hotel early, but so glad that Dick is feeling better.

I hope that you, your daughter and your dogs managed the fireworks ok. They certainly can be loud, I know.

Best wishes to you all.

[pukalania]

Dear Kathleen
I'm so sorry you guys are going through all of this ! Relieved to hear Dick is slowly stabilizing !
Sending you a big hug and hope he is out of there soon!
Xoxo

[Icesk8tr]

Kathleen,
YIKES you have been through a lot. I'm glad to hear Dick is feeling better. I hope you get another chance to go away somewhere and relax

Hugs,
Christine