Prof B at the Hospice arranged for him to see the Pain Management team at a local hospital where Stephen underwent a spinal block in an attempt to stop the excruciating pain.
I'm glad to report that it worked - and Stephen is now free from pain. He still has 'upsy downsy' days when he seems 'reasonably' fine one day but confined to his bed on other days with exhaustion, no appetite, and deep sweats.
His appetite is poor, as I mentioned, so I try to coax him to eat - serving tiny portions of very tasty food as his taste buds have changed - probably affected by the increased doses of morphine. High energy drinks have been prescribed which 'taste awful' says Stephen - but mixed with lemonade are 'just about palatable.' However, these drinks keep him going during the non-eating days.
He takes steroids (magic pills) when he is at a very low ebb as they give him energy, decrease the sweats, and increase his appetite, but have to be taken with discretion.
The downside is they make him very argumentative!!!
Stephen's hair is returning since the chemo (which didn't work)and he feels 'fairly human' once more, but is losing weight at a rate of knots (now weighs less than me) which is to be expected given his decreased appetite.
Stephen knows he is on 'the slippy slope' but is making the best of the good days, of which today is one. It's a lovely day. The sun is shining. He feels 'good' he says and fancies scrambled eggs!
So we are - as they say - 'making hay whilst the sun shineth . . . . .'
1 comment:
I am so glad that they have managed to improve the quality of Stephen's life and that he is able to enjoy good days. My thoughts are with you both. Maggi
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