Friday, November 14, 2008

Bob

I mention Bob, a lot, you know; because we've been married so long, he's important to me! The past two years haven't been great for him health-wise, but we had really good health news this week.

More than two years ago he decided to have back surgery; two of his lower back discs were causing him a lot of pain. The pain radiated down through his legs and feet. He's been a athlete his entire life and the pain curtailed his athleticism. The decision was a good idea, in many ways. In order to have the laminectomy on his spine, he had to have clearance from his cardiologist; that took almost two years to obtain. We had no idea that his arteries were in trouble, the hidden blessing is, he didn't have to have a major stroke or heart attack to find the problem and get it fixed.

He had his back surgery on 9/25, and this week he started Physical Therapy! The neurosurgeon thinks Bob's on track and should be able to resume his normal activities in February. He doesn't have any leg or foot pain, now. For me, this is outstanding news.

He had more good news, from an oncologist, of all people. Bob is a type 2 diabetic, and has diabetic-related early renal failure. Sometimes renal failure leads to anemia. He had been on a program of every other week getting a Procrit injection; this went on for 8 months with no effect. Last year our regular doctor sent him to an oncologist; who did a bone marrow test and told Bob, yes, you're severely anemic, but it's not your bone marrow that's causing it. Basically, good-by, don't let the door hit you in the ass.

This year Bob saw a nephrologist; he's the doctor that tried the Procrit. When it didn't work he sent his to a different oncologist, Dr. M, who did another bone marrow test, and said, yes, you're anemic, it's not your bone marrow that's causing it, and this is what we're going to do. Bob's going to receive mega (4x) doses of Procrit, weekly for 4-6 weeks, until he's no longer anemic. I have every faith that if this doesn't work she will try something else.

Believe me, this has been a great week. Bob-wise, we've been in a dark tunnel; now, I can see the light at the end. We even had to miss our annual trip to North Carolina, this year, because travel is exhausting and Bob just wasn't up to it.

I snapped these photos Thursday morning, while Bob was trying to eat breakfast. He doesn't like to have his picture taken, but he's a good sport about it.

8 comments:

Jan AKA Wammy said...

Bob looks all good to me. Happy face and smiling eyes. Glad to hear there is some light in your tunnel.

Katney said...

You tell him he's very photogenic and he needs to let you take his picture more often. Glad for all the good health news.

Unknown said...

That is good news. :) Fingers crossed! I went through B12 shots and such for a few months for anemia but thankfully having a hysterectomy helped me. Probably wouldn't help Bob. :) Hadn't heard of Procrit but my body wasn't absorbing the iron I was nearly overdosing on so the B12 shots took care of it. Also, I drank chloryphyl, from the herbal shop - EW - but is supposed to help your body to absorb the iron. :)

Alison said...

wonderful news...I hope the new treatment works and he gets his energy back!!

Hula Girl at Heart said...

Yea! So glad he's doing better. Daddy always said if you don't have your health, you don't have anything. I think he was right.

Jientje said...

That's three times I've visited here, and three times that I get distracted by something else and forget to comment!!
I'm glad he's doing so much better Jan, health is the most precious thing!

Maria said...

Jan, I am glad that Bob is doing so much better, his pictures look all good to me! I wish you all the best! Maria

Anonymous said...

I JUST FOUND YOUR BLOG TONIGHT AND I LOVE IT---I AM JANET AND MY HUSBAND IS BOB ALSO HAHA---I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR STACK OF BOOKS HAHA AND I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I AM GOING THROUGH THE BLOOD THING ALSO---I WAS TAKING 2 VIALS OF IRON BY IV FOR FOUR WEEKS AND IT HAS MADE MY BLOOD STABLE BUT NOT LOSING OR GAINING---MINE WAS 6.6 WHEN THEY FOUND IT---IF YOU WANT TO TALK MORE THEN MY EMAIL IS CHERRY53BOMB@AOL.COM THANKS JANET

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