Since the last update on February 13th, most of Laurie's time has been at home and functioning in a daily routine. Weekdays and weekends blend into the same. The ability to go outside has been hampered by icy conditions which have hit much of eastern Ontario and other parts of the province. We have been going for the weekly blood testing, usually on Mondays, with the results back on Tuesday. Laurie's dilantin level is still above the normal range even though a reduction in her daily dosage has been given. This factor is quite frustrating since weekly blood testing will need to continue until she is stable. She did complete another drug recently which will likely help to maintain a constant level of dilantin. She is eating quite well and resting at least a few hours each day.
On February 28th we were to meet with the oncologist in an Ottawa hospital. Just prior to leaving, about 09:15, I was helping Laurie finish up in the bathroom. As she turned towards me I could see in her eyes and face that she was about to have a seizure. As she began to have it, I carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the floor. She was shaking and sick with her breakfast. The seizure lasted between one minute and one minute and 15 seconds. Although the first seizure back in January was scary because I had not seen her have one, the second one was quite traumatic. I decided to call 9-1-1 and they arrived about 20 minutes later. After some checking of vital signs, they took her to the local hospital. Laurie should really be taken directly to the hospital where she is under the care of her surgeon and the oncologists but rules are rules and they take her to the closest hospital.
On the way there, Laurie had a second and shorter seizure. In the hospital she had a third seizure. I had a really difficult time with this one. She had blood and urine samples taken. Lots of questions were asked. I kept thinking that this is pretty much all a delay in getting her into the place that she should be. So, after a few hours, the ambulance took her to the Civic Hospital. The crew that took her was more experienced than the average ambulance service given that she could have another seizure. I was thinking that her dilantin level was low but had not heard back from the clinic yet. When I did, her level was reported to be high at 91. I could not understand this and the ER doctor was scratching her head on this too. While they were putting in a catheter to collect a urine sample, I asked the nurse if there was anything unusual "down there". She said that it had appeared that Laurie's bladder "had dropped". Not quite understanding what this meant, the reply was that there appears to have been some damage done, which I have been aware of since she left the hospital after her second surgery last December. I believe this is why she is incontinent. We do see her GP on March 6th specifically to see what is going on "down there" and what can be done about it.
As Laurie was taken to the Civic I returned home to pack a bag expecting that she would be at least one night under observation. When I got to the hospital ER, I went to the window for "all other questions". The person there was speaking with a colleague but did see me approach and stand there. However, she continued to chat to the colleague about vacation things. So, after about 15 seconds, I asked where my wife was and how to get to her. After giving Laurie's name, the lady said "oh, they are waiting for you to arrive". I simply shook my head at this as they had my telephone number. Having to wait for this remark had steam pretty much coming out of my ears. Laurie was in the resuscitation area, bed 2. Hearing this I was moving quickly through the hallways not knowing if she was OK or not. Thankfully, she was in a bed being administered over by a nurse. More blood testing (what happened to the results from the other hospital?) which meant more needles and pain.
After a series of visits by different specialists, it was decided that Laurie would remain at least on Tuesday night. So, about 23:15, I left for home worried that Laurie would have more seizures. The drive home was difficult and my mind was certainly not on the quiet road. In the morning, I left the house and avoided the rush-hour arriving at the hospital about 09:20. Back to the room where Laurie was but was not now. Of course there was no one around to ask. More steam coming out of my ears. Eventually, I saw a nurse and went over to ask her. She said that she thought Laurie was in the next ward but I would have to ask the nurse who was on break. No way I said. I wanted to know where Laurie was and now. How can a nurse not show some interest? I think that this falls within the compassion category for which they should have in them.
Laurie was in fact moved over to the emergency side and was sleeping when I went into her room. She was on an IV. She had not experienced another seizure which was good news. More doctor visits and assessments and questions. She did have a CT scan done and the results did not show any bleeding or enlargement of the tumour area....both good findings. After lunch, it was decided that Laurie could go back home but with an additional prescription for a second kind of anti-seizure pill. There is a pharmacy in the hospital so I told the nurse that I was going there first and then collecting Laurie for going home. He said that was fine and that they would dress her and prepare her while I was getting the new pills. After twenty five minutes I got back to the room and Laurie was sitting in a chair ready to go. She was waving furiously at me with a smile on her face. So, with the assistance of a reluctant personal support worker, we took Laurie to the car in a wheel-chair and left for home.
Little did I know that before they changed her, no one took off the 12 or so sticky adhesive patches from her. These were put there to hook up the monitoring devices by the paramedics and staff at both of the hospitals. I know for certain that when I left to get the pills, there were four nurses sitting right outside of Laurie's room chatting and laughing far too loudly. So, why did no one remove all of these sticky patches? Getting them over took two days with the use of rubbing alcohol and a lot patience. Boy was I steamed about this.
Laurie regained her strength over the rest of the week. On Sunday, March 4th, she had two visitors and this seemed to raise her spirits. The two weekends before she also had some visitors and this appears to make her quite happy. She does get quite tired afterwards and will spend more than a few hours resting.
Laurie is now back on her chemotherapy cycle of five days on and 23 days off. She winds up the pills on Sunday night and so far she is tolerating these quite well. The anti-nausea pill is very strong and seems to keep her from being physically sick. However, she must take a total of eight chemotherapy pills since there is still a back order on a specific pill dosage that she was prescribed.
I did call the nurse on March 2nd and she came out to the house to see Laurie. The nurse is quite thorough and even takes my BP which has been higher than Laurie's for two weeks running. The nurse said that should Laurie have another seizure then I can call her and she or another nurse will come around. Going to the hospital is probably not really required for every seizure event and I was told when I need to call 9-1-1 and when I can call the nurse in. I am really hoping that the two anti-seizure pills will prevent additional episodes and that I don't have to call anybody. The other option is that I call the Ottawa hospital and tell them that I am on my way with Laurie because she had a seizure. In theory, this should get her "immediate" attention when we arrive at the ER area. Again, I am hoping not to have to do this either.
So, the coming week is hopefully going to be a quiet and routine time. Besides the blood test and the appointment with the GP there is nothing else scheduled and I'm hoping that it stays this way.
Thanks again to those of you who sent flowers, cards with best wishes and who came out to see Laurie recently. All of these actions raise her spirits and give me pleasure knowing the kindness that is coming to Laurie. Laurie's 52nd birthday is on March 22nd and I am optimistic that we will reach that day one at a time. Around here, birthdays are usually rather special. Although right now, each day is simply special and wonderful no matter how diffiult things may be.
