Yesterday, Pablo had an appointment with his urologist. The outcome of that appointment is that Pablo has some sort of rare condition (YET ANOTHER RARE CONDITION) where his body isn't making pee like it should. Tests showed that after his bladder was drained, there was still liquid in there that should have come out. NO CLUE as to the medical terminology so my apologies. Pablo has another appointment in February for more testing but it's looking like surgery is the answer. No comment from me because it'll involve swearing.
Today, Pablo had two different appointments at the hospital. One was an EEG and the other was at the chronic pain clinic. He was at the hospital for most of the day. While at the pain clinic, they let him take a nap for about 45 minutes. EEG specialists are going to look at the EEG by tomorrow the latest. Due to the problems Pablo is having with his left ear and the subsequent balance problems, he is going to have to see an ear specialist soon. The doctor he saw at the pain clinic today was surprised that at Pablo's age (33), that he is this sick as a result of the tumour and radiation. He told Pablo that it could take 8 months to a year for Pablo to feel reasonably healthy again - mostly because it took so long for Pablo to start feeling this sick (basically from after radiation). The doctor told Pablo to start taking vitamin B6 every morning and he believes that he should start feeling better within a couple weeks. He better be right. All the doctors that Pablo has seen lately agree that Pablo should have no problem being accepted for long term disability. YES! Finally. Being down to only one income for the last 9 months has been rough.
I stumbled across your blog (no idea by which route :) a while ago and have been reading ever since (though I've never commented). I just wanted to tell you I think of your family so often and I send up good thoughts to the Universe for you. I love the stories and photos of the kids and the design photos you display, and I read about Pablo's journey with great hope. You're a strong bunch, you are, and my fingers are crossed that Pablo (and ALL) is well soon. Thank you for sharing with us. Take care! XO
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet of you Diane. Thanks for commenting and thinking of us. And keep coming back because one day, I'll be blogging about how Pablo is all better!...gotta keep positive! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so strong!! We are praying and thinking of you, here, in the south of the south.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are so strong and so inspiring. You may have heard about the Qld floods occurring at the moment and as I watch the scenes unfold and the strength of the people, I always think about your family and how you are going through a life struggle with such strength and grace.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for better news through the year.
Engracia
Thanks uruguaya and Engracia! I have heard about the floods - so very sad. We are hanging in there and try to make it through each day as positively as we can.
ReplyDeleteWell, my Pollyanna self says that there are some real hopeful things that happened. My regular self says lets go get a drink.
ReplyDeleteI'll meet you at the bar. Order me a double. Mojito that is...
ReplyDeleteAnd we'll have mojito granita for dessert. One always needs a dessert after drinks, yes?
ReplyDeleteahhh count the patient in too! triple spiced rum in a rocks glass with a shot of coke for colour!,
ReplyDeleteThank you all for such kind remarks and thoughts. I truly feel better every time I read your comments. Collette, thanks as always, and I wish you lived close so you and Julia could go for those mojitos, because, are you ready for this??? 9 years together, never seen her drunk!!! lol
previous comment from loving husband of his beautiful children and sexy wife!,
ReplyDeletePablo
The patient may certainly join us, Pablo! ;-)
ReplyDelete9 years together and never seen her drunk? Never???? I had no idea you married a saint. ;-)
Joe and I have been together for 20 years and our first real interaction was at a party where he was trying to show off for me and instead ran over my foot while riding a bike. Um, OUCH! I wasn't drinking to that point but you can be sure that I started. With straight vodka. (God forbid I just look for some aspirin or something.) The evening ended with him holding my stuff while I puked on the seminary lawn. He asked me out 2 days later and the rest is history.
See, Julia? Good things CAN come from drunkenness. ;-D
I partied alot right before I met Pablo so when I met him I didn't feel the urge to party like I used to. (And he wouldn't have been able to keep up with me anyway! LOL!)
ReplyDeleteAnd cute story Collette!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and haven't read much beyond the first pages so I am not completely abreast of your husband's situation. I do know that my husband was put on Flomax by his urologist after having trouble emptying his bladder completely. He had stage 3 colon cancer almost 11 yrs ago at the age of 32 and the bladder issue was due to the effects of chemo. I am not sure if using Flomax is an option, but you may want to ask his doctor. My husband is off now but still has to have his bladder function checked periodically.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy being the spouse. I had four kids under 9 when my husband went through surgery and 8 months of chemo. The first sign that he was finally getting back to his old self was when I realized he hadn't taken a nap in a two days. And it was a year before he felt like he did before his diagnosis. I don't remember a lot from that time because it was so stressful, but I do know that you will both come through it stronger. Hang in there!
Thanks for the Flomax suggestion! Pablo has an appointment soon with his urologist so I'll make sure he mentions it.
ReplyDelete4 kids under 9! WOW! It is definitely tough being the spouse but as you know, you do what you have to do for your family. 8 months of chemo - that is a long time. Pablo only did 2 months of radiation and that felt like forever.
It's funny you mention about your husband not having a nap in two days as a sign because that is exactly when I noticed a big change in Pablo - when he didn't absolutely need the afternoon nap.
I hope your husband is all better and thank you so much for sharing!