6/21 Trixie AMBG 76

Yesterday

Happy appy, snuggly, spunky, feisty, and anti-jinxes.

My Dad's oncology appointment was the usual mixed bag...good BW and vitals (good enough for chemo) but very weak and fatigued. The doc did change his PPI so hopefully that will help with the GERD which hopefully will in turn help with the swallowing issue. And the doc also did prescribe a low dose of a steroid (dexamethasone). He gets dex as a premed to his chemo and the next day he always feels much better, but since it's just one dose he crashes hard after it wears off. After last treatment he was able to swallow much better for a day, and I think it's because the dex reduced the inflammation in his esophagus; once it wore off, he couldn't swallow well again.

He really needs the scan but the swallowing issue is making getting the barium down impossible. At this point the oncologist said ANY scan is better than nothing even if he can't swallow all the barium - that he should get down as much as he can and that will have to suffice. Maybe the dex will help with this, but if not the doc said to talk to radiology about it. My Dad is not the first person to be in this situation so there must be some way to somewhat get around it.

That's about it. I got nothing at all done around here yesterday, and am already running late today so it is time to move. Prayers to everyone here!

Amy

 

Nicely done, Trixie! More vines for DF and hugs to you, Amy. Hope he can get the swallowing worked out soon.
Liz

 

Hugs and thoughts for your dad.

Trixie is looking good!

 

Nice start for Trixie as always. Hope DH can get some relief with the swallowing. It's got to be anxiety producing for him ( and you) Sending vines.

 

Amy, some advanced breast cancer patients with severe fatigue from chemo and the treatments are sometimes prescribed Ritalin by their oncologists. I wonder if that might help your father? Prayers and vines.

 

My Dad's oncologist hasn't mentioned this. It will be interesting to see what the dex does for him, and I'll keep the Ritalin in the back of my mind. Thanks, Sandi!

 

Prayers and vines for your DF and you!

 

I'm glad Trixie is doing well. Sending prayers for your dad.

 

If the dex reduces the inflammation and helps him to be able to swallow comfortably for a day it sounds like he needs to take that before the scan so that he can swallow the barium?
More vines to your dad Amy!

 

That is one thought. The doc prescribed it (in a low dose) as a daily thing for now, just to see how things go....

 

Tons of vines for your dad. Big hugs Amy!!

 

More vines and prayers for your dad, Amy. I hope the swallowing issue will get resolved. Could he be able to have a capsule endoscopy? He would only have to swallow the capsule and then it does it's work, recording the GI system.

I hope you are having a restful evening.

 

I'm so glad the oncologist prescribed the steroid. I really think that will give him some relief.

Sending vines and prayers for your DF and another atta girl! to Trixie.

 

Hi Amy - looking good for you Trixie .

Vines for your dad. I wish I had a suggestion on the swallowing issue... just no clue. DH didn't run into this problem. I hope the new approach helps.