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Author Topic: Caring for others with chronic illnesses  (Read 236831 times)

Offline Sara B

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1110 on: February 01, 2013, 01:48:46 AM »
Hi Sara,
Did you find out what caused the bad reaction to Mr M's dialysis yet ?? Do hope things will settle down for him....and you. It must be a big worry. In my thoughts and prayers

                                                         ((((((Sara & Mr  M))))))

Apparently the reaction (sickness, faintness and headache) is quite common. It's such an invasion the body can take time to adjust - up to a month. So it's a relief to know it's normal (they had mentioned headaches), and yesterday it wasn't so severe and he ate a normal meal in the evening. Thanks (((both Sues))) :)

Offline janjo

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1111 on: February 01, 2013, 03:46:33 PM »
Glad to hear that, Sara.I have been up in Cambridge with daughter Caroline who is due to give birth any day now, but I have been keeping a forum eye by using my Kindle, so I had stopped worrying about Mr M just a little. The Kindle has an on screen keyboard, which I hate as it doesn't work very well with a full set of gel nails. :D  I can use it, but it is  very slow so it is nice to be home however temporarily and to have my laptop to speak to everyone properly.
I may have to shoot back up to Cambridge at any time, so I am doing my washing and preparing to return as soon as I get the call.
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Offline suelyblu

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1112 on: February 01, 2013, 06:27:39 PM »
                                                                 ^^^^
Hi Sara,

Good news to know that the reaction to this type of dialysis is sometimes expected. Just a case of waiting it out now.
Hope the reaction passes quickly. Take care....both of you . :-*
"I  know that ghosts have wondered on the earth,
 Be with me always. Take any form. Drive me mad,
 only do not leave me in the dark alone, where I cannot
 find you.
 I cannot live without my life.
 I cannot die without my soul.
                                          .

Offline Sara B

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1113 on: May 29, 2013, 03:38:32 AM »
It's been some time since I've posted about Michael's health. At least the symptoms of uraemic poisoning, headache and nausea, have pretty much gone, but the weakness is no better and he is only able to walk slowly for 5 minutes or so, and has no energy for most day to day activities. He has lost quite a lot of weight, especially muscle, and is fairly anaemic.  There have been various setbacks in the last few months, including a small stroke, all of which he has pretty much recovered from, but which haven't helped. He is up and about but tends to fall asleep frequently during the day, and feels the cold badly. I think everyone hoped the the dialysis would achieve more improvement than it has.

Apart from the anaemia, none of this is particularly typical of multiple myeloma (a bone-marrow cancer), the root cause of his kidney failure, and the levels of the cancer are not rising at the moment, but the haematologist feels that the time has come for more chemotherapy and steroids. This will be starting next week, in tablet form. The side-effects of lenalidamide shouldn't be too severe, but will tend to exacerbate what he's feeling at the moment, at least until it starts to take effect. He'll be monitored regularly and assessed after 4 months.

It was a relief, because something had to be done. I just wish they could be more definite about the reasons for him feeling bad – it would somehow help, for me at any rate.


Offline CellarDweller115

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1114 on: May 29, 2013, 03:42:43 AM »
Keeping my fingers crossed that the chemo and steroids will show a quick improvement for him!

Offline Miaisland

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1115 on: May 29, 2013, 03:50:51 AM »
Thank you for the update dearest (((((((Sara)))))))) !!

I also hope for quick improvements with the new treatments.

Keeping Michael and you both in my thoughts and prayers.

“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.” - Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Offline Tony_

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1116 on: May 29, 2013, 02:10:11 PM »
 Thanks for letting us know Sara.  I guess it's good news that they will be resuming treatments, as that holds out hope for some improvement.
 But the appointments and so on will be stressful.  I just wish you well, so very much, and hope you stay strong !

Offline fritzkep

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1117 on: May 29, 2013, 02:15:28 PM »
Keeping both of you in my prayers, and of the whole choir too, Sara.

Werd ich zum Augenblicke sagen, "Verweile doch! Du bist so schön..."

Offline morrobay

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1118 on: May 29, 2013, 02:18:21 PM »
Praying for all the best for Michael, Sara.  Don't forget to take care of yourself, too....
Bye, Felicia

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Offline lawgoddess

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1119 on: May 29, 2013, 02:29:54 PM »
Thank you for the update, Sara.

Thinking of both of you.
It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do. Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility.

Offline killersmom

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1120 on: May 29, 2013, 03:30:54 PM »
Thanks so much for letting us know how Michael is. And as you say, at least they are doing something, even though they are not sure.

Just know that your family here is thinking and praying for you both and as Nancy said, please take care of yourself as well.
"Life can only be understood backwards. Unfortunately, it must be lived forward."
... Kierkegaard

Offline janjo

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1121 on: May 29, 2013, 04:08:04 PM »
Thinking of you both, and remembering you in my prayers.

We are back from the USA and the jet lag is receding so I will be in touch very soon.
xxxxxxxxx
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"Are birds free from the chains of the skyway?"
Ballad in plain D: Bob Dylan

Offline suelyblu

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1122 on: May 29, 2013, 06:23:41 PM »
(((Sara)))......I had no idea that Michael was so poorly. I just thought "no news.....was good news ".....apparently not.  :(

I really hope he starts to feel better soon ....and you take care too.  :-*
"I  know that ghosts have wondered on the earth,
 Be with me always. Take any form. Drive me mad,
 only do not leave me in the dark alone, where I cannot
 find you.
 I cannot live without my life.
 I cannot die without my soul.
                                          .

Offline dejavu

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1123 on: May 29, 2013, 07:07:34 PM »
Thinking of you both, Sara, and hoping that Michael starts to feel better soon.
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Texans don't drink coffee?

Offline roby

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Re: Caring for others with chronic illnesses
« Reply #1124 on: May 30, 2013, 12:31:30 AM »
He'll be monitored regularly and assessed after 4 months.

I just wish they could be more definite about the reasons for him feeling bad – it would somehow help, for me at any rate.

Being monitored is so important.  I do understand you about the reasons, I always need a reason but sometimes is not available.

All my love to you and M.   :-*


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