In the time it usually takes to have the robotic procedure done, was the amount of time the team tried to administer anesthesia. Rod kept having bronchial spasms in spite of all attempts. Thank goodness it happened before they made an incision because the outcome could have been much worse. We were told the dangerousness with the anesthesia far outweighed the risk of cancer at the time. They had to wake Rod up with the tube still down his throat. He felt duress as they were telling him to breathe, breathe.... I feel so terribly bad for Rod.
Two pulmonary specialists came to talk to him. His CXR was fine. We go back to the hospital tomorrow for a pulmonary function test and to reschedule the surgery, but the pulmonary doctors want Rod to see an allergist too. More delays and in the meantime we worry about
the cancer spreading.
Rod still has Medical LOA and Disability paperwork that needs to be completed by a physician. And now this setback is only going to cost us more money. We worry about
becoming financially ruined.
I was so worried this would happen because a couple of weeks after Rod had the biopsy, he developed this horrible rash all over his body. He refused to go the doctor. And since the biopsy he had a bad sinus infection where the side of his nose even swelled up and he has had tightening in the lungs. I can even hear wheezing when I put my head on his chest. He has been self-medicating with Claritan, Mucinex, Robitussin cough drops, and a combo med that contains a decongestant, expectorant and Tylenol. I told him to stop and go to the doctor but he wouldn't listen to me. Rod smoked for 37 years, but quit four years ago. He works as an electronic technician handling solder, circuit boards, etc. A couple of weeks ago when he tried to cut the grass I found him outside squatting against the wall because he was short of breath. Maybe our house is making us sick? Our cat died in January, our other cat is sick, one of our dogs is sick, I have ear problems, and now Rod is sick. The only thing I recently changed in the house was the cat litter from clay to a combo of wheat and pine.
My first reaction was to ask God why did this happen because everyone I know has been praying so hard and now this had to happen. Right now I feel like a mom full of tenderness towards a child, but in this case it is my husband. I feel so sad for him. This really stinks! I feel like we're just flapping in the wind.
Now I just feel like sitting in the corner and crying... What a let down!
Maria Teresa
Husband Age 55 Maria Teresa age 44Total PSA 8 on 05/21/07DRE: prostate bumpyBiopsy on 07/16/07: 5 out of 8 cores positive, Gleason Score 8 (3+4+5)**CT of the abd/pelvis; Bone Scan; Xrays done on 08/13/07: NormalRobotic Surgery Scheduled for September 11, 2007 - Cancelled due to anesthesia complications**"Report to the Nation on Prostate Cancer" published by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, page 11: "In some cases, the pathologist might identify a third pattern, which is less common but that has a higher grade than either of the first two patterns that comprised the Gleason score. The presence of this third pattern might indicate that the tumor is more aggressive than the Gleason score would otherwise imply. For example, if a Gleason 4+3 tumor also has some grade 5 cells, the cancer would be considered as being of higher grade disease overall."
Post Edited (mariateresa) : 9/11/2007 8:40:57 PM (GMT-6)