Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[clay]

Originally Posted by JustJo

Hi everyone,

We got the picc line replaced yesterday....so long tiring day but all resolved at the end. I also browbeat a prescription for Lortab out of her NY doctor...so she's not completely out of pain meds for the long weekend....and we'll be seeing the pain management specialist early in the week. I'm more and more convinced that we need to get her off the morphine....simply standing up makes her so dizzy that she has to put her head down and hold onto something for a minute or two.

Her weight is down a bit since the TPN is only 12 hours instead of 24 now....but she is eating a bit more. I figure I'm managing to get 800 to 1000 calories a day into her. Going off the morphine might help with her appetite and ability to eat.

Not what it should be...but an improvement. The Pedialyte also seems to be helping her somewhat...so we're keeping that up. I know I annoy her, handing her food or drink every 2 hours, but she would go all day with virtually nothing if it was left up to her. My pushy broad side is getting a workout.

Hugs to you all....glad to hear Clay and Julie's mom are home for the holiday and getting lots of support and care. Merry Christmas to you all!

hey JustJo...hugs right back at ya....you & mom are in our thoughts & prayers...do you have a Hospice Center there? Those RN's are awesome and the oncologists have a "protocol" or "regimen" of drugs and having Hospice involved insures your getting, having, and with access 24/7 to ANY med she may need. She needs to have an rx for Zofran (generic is: ondansetron) 4 mg. disintegrating tablets...to use every 4 hrs.....as needed....for the nausea...AND sounds like she would be an ideal candidate for Oxycontin...and it comes in liquid...the Morphine is horrible. I initially had a pump of Dilaudid IV for pain and an epidual with pain cotrol meds in it....and had to switch to MS (morphine) which I HATED to take..I only pushed my "button" for that med a total of 20 times in the whole 12 days I had it...smiles....(HIGH tolerance) to pain..smiles...
Anyway I am certainly not trying to prescribe or "manage" BUT offer you some suggestions..smiles....I am a nurse....smiles....
Take care..and YOU are doing an awesome job....give yourself a pat on the back...Clay