Well life is not boring these days. July 17 Doug had a nuclear medicine cardiac stress test. (This was because he had been having very occasional tightness in his chest - no pain.) July 18 the cardiologist called us to say the test showed a blockage, and we were told to show up the next day to talk to him; and that we might want to prepare to stay overnight. So the next day, after spending the morning at the Salida hospital for Doug's Zometa infusion, off we went to Colorado Springs with the duffle bag packed.
Dr. Malone showed us the stress test pictures, said the stress test results could be a mistake, but he didn't think so. He said it would be necessary to do an angiogram, and very likely put in a stent. Because of Doug's compromised kidney function, he decided to admit Doug to the hospital right away to start IV fluids, and he planned to use a contrast that would be safer for kidneys. He also put Doug on an oral drug called "muco-mist" that can help protect the kidneys (it has other uses also). He said he was "picking the best bad choice".
July 20th Doug had the angiogram which showed a 100% blockage of the 'left anterior descending' coronary artery. Dr Malone inflated the vessel with a balloon, put in a stent to keep it open, and the artery immediately filled with blood. The before and after pictures are pretty dramatic. Malone said it went easier than he thought; I told him that's because he had an angel on his shoulder. He kept Doug in the hospital for another night just to make sure everything was okay. Blood work showed his kidney function was better than before! Creatinine had been 1.4 but lowered to 1.0 after the procedure. The team did an excellent job. This was at Penrose Hospital. They do have a nice outpatient temporary residence, but it was full, so I stayed two nights at a rather tacky run-down hotel. A small price to pay for such a successful procedure. Doug is now on Plavix to avoid a clot and will stay on it for at least a year. I think he has more color in his face now. Praise God for that fix.
Meanwhile, the Oxycontin did nothing for Doug's hip pain, even after the oncologist doubled the dose. So today Doug was switched to a 30 mg. morphine pill every 12 hours. The pharmacist said Doug's driving would be up to our judgment; often when a patient has been on a lot of pain meds, morphine does not make them drowsy.
Tomorrow is moving day! Our wonderful volunteers are all lined up. Doug and I have steadily been taking boxes to the new house. We did have some bad news -- the buyers for our little house backed out at the last minute. Very disappointing. Now the house is back on the market and I have to still do the yard work. I usually enjoy gardening, but I'm ready for a rest.
Day after tomorrow we go to Edwards, to the Shaw Cancer Center, so Doug can be all 'mapped out' for a third round of radiation. We pray this will stop the hip pain so Doug can get off the morphine. The radiation treatments should start next Monday. This Friday we go back to Colorado Springs - I am being referred to a special dentist to check out a painful tooth. He will do some kind of special CT scan to try to see if there is a fracture in a tooth. I think that will be painful to the wallet.
What we both need is a week of rest and relaxation. Not going to happen for now, but we are very thankful for good medical care, great friends, and most importantly, God's faithfulness. Doug looks good "on the outside" and he never complains.
Love to all.
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