It has been a rough week for Randy. He is still struggling to eat.  His stomach is always bloated.  The doctors plan with the new medication is not working to well.  He started with it on Saturday (3 day after chemo treatment) and every time he takes it he is very nauseous and does throw up.  He has taken the new medicines 4 times now and has decided to stop as it is so awful.  I will be phoning the nurse tomorrow to see what we can do now. 


When we were at the doctor's last Monday they really could not give a good explanation for the bloated feeling.  Could be from the chemo, could be from the cancer so the CT scan will give them some answers  see if the cancer has spread to his stomach.  I will be asking tomorrow if some other tests could be done faster because I'm not sure how much longer he can go on with this.  He is very weak and has not much strength left. 

On Friday we had palliative home care come to the house.  We now have a nurse who is there to support us in anyway we need.  Her name is Jodi and is very nice.  With this program we have access to all kinds of help.  Their main goal is to keep the patient at home for as long as possible.  I feel like we now have another advocate for us who we can reach out for help.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                

What they do:

 The Palliative Care Consult Team is comprised of specially trained physicians, nurses and other health care professionals who assist patients and their families with management of complex symptom distress related to palliative needs.
Services they provide:
The Palliative Care Consult Team provides assessment and recommendations for management of complex issues related to palliative care needs, including:

• complex pain and symptom management
• psychosocial or spiritual distress for the patient or family 
• education needs of the patient or family 
• difficult end of life decision making 
• coordination of resources 
• complex discharge planning. 

The team may also be involved in assisting in the transition to an alternate setting of care (i.e. hospice, or continuing care). The team is available to provide specialized education and support to other health care providers regarding palliative care issues.

Almighty and Everlasting God, the eternal salvation of those who believe in You, hear us on behalf of Your servants who are sick, for whom we humbly beg the help of your mercy, so that, being restored to health, they may render thanks to you in your Church. Through Christ our Lord. Amen