Friday, August 26, 2011

More Drama

This morning Bill had a chemo infusion.  One of the chemo nurses, Stacey, was informed that the PET scan was not done.  She confronted Bill about it. Yesterday, he has his pre-chemo blood work done which always include a sugar test.  She looked at the sugar level from yesterday, and it was very high as well.  Stacey scheduled an appointment for  Bill to see an endocrinologist this afternoon.  


Bill started to feel defeated.  It's been one thing after another lately and now this.  I tried to reassure him everything will be OK.  If he watches his diet, walk, and maybe take a pill he will be fine.  I gave him a Xanax, fixed him some lunch, and encouraged him to  lay down for a bit.


When we get to the appointment the nurse taught him to check his blood sugar. Not a big deal.  Then the doctor came in and looked at his past sugar levels.  It seems that the new chemo regiment might be causing his blood sugars to be elevated. There is a family history of diabetes.  So maybe the combination of family history and the new chemo medication has caused him to be diabetic now.  


Dr. Kimm examines Bill and casually mentions that Bill will need insulin.  I know there is insulin and I know there are pills that help carry insulin.  I was hoping she was referring to the pills.  It wasn't so.  Bill has to give himself insulin injections 4 times a day now.  I was proud of the way he handled the news.  It's going to take him a few days to get use to the testing and injections.  He has the weekend off and I am sure he will have adjusted by the time he goes back to work on Monday.


He has to see a dietian next week.  He mentioned to Dr. Kimm I have a degree in nutrition. She asked me if Bill would need to see a dietitian.  I figured he would be better off talking to someone else since he doesn't listen to me. 


He gave himself two injections earlier this evening.  His blood sugar is still high. I called Dr. Kimm and she increased his dosage.  He had to do two more injections and test again at midnight.  I have to call her back after that.  I feel guilty calling her that late.  She is trying to get his sugar levels down so he will be able to have the PET scan in the morning.  


After all of this, I hope he will be able to have the scan.  I am crossing my fingers and my toes.  

2 comments:

  1. i'll cross my fingers and toes too and add MORE prayers and will certainly be checking in the morning to see how things have gone...you guys both amaze me with your strength, faith and determination day after day!!!
    if there's anything i can do...just let me know! blessings always, deb:)

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  2. Thank you Deb. It's because people like you and by the grace of God we are able to get through the day. I am very thankful for Dr. Kimm as well. It's after midnight and I just got off the phone with her. Bill's sugar has gone down a bit but still is high. She had him give himself another dose of insulin. She wants me to test his level at 3am and call her. Not sure how many doctors would do that for a patient.

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