Sunday, September 26, 2010
One step er I mean hop forward...
Ok so Ray is working on apply 50# of pressure on his foot....not an easy task...its SO tender! We also went to our Radiation Oncologist Dr. Thomson. They did his intact evaluation. Got him tattooed....Yep I am now married to a man with tattoo's! Whoulda thunk it?? :o) They are 5 VERY VERY small bluish dots...this is so the radiation machine laser will line it up exactly each time! Our first appointment for treatment is this coming Wednesday...we will have a "dry run" then an actually treatment. Then he will go Monday-Friday same time each day. Dr. Thomson has decided to lengthen his days of treatment but lessen the amount each time to make it a little easier on Ray's body. The office he practices at is amazing! I got to see how they interact with patients while Ray was in CT. They are very personally involved and I got to experience a lady who was having her LAST treatment! They have this HUGE bell hung in the hall that is the celebration bell and she got to ring it hard and loud! They also gave her a lei and a certificate of completion! All very loving! I guess if someone has to go through this....this is the place to be! Ray also went to his primary care doctor. Ray's sleeping has been getting worse and worse.....so we found a new sleeping pill and so far so good! He sleeps over 5 hours!!! That should go a long way in helping him heal I hope! So please keep your support and prayers coming his way! Its gonna be another long month and a half! Love to you all!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
It's a KEEPER!
So we had Ray's doctor's appointment with Dr. Scott today and it looks like we dodged another bullet! Amputation looks like it will pass over the Wojtasek household!! So what else went on??......X-ray...CHECK....Cast removed....CHECK.....foot soak in warm water.....CHECK....a mini scrub with wash cloth...CHECK....select color for new cast...CHECK.....new cast on.....CH....awww not so fast! We are in a boot baby!!! Ray can actually shower normally!!! The X-ray looked good....well the important part that is! Down where the ankle/foot connects with the leg there was a little "fuzz" You wanna know what....this time the FUZZ is GOOD! Who knew I'd like the word fuzz! That indicates the healing!!! The upper part ironically is NOT healing....but Dr. Scott dismissed that with a "I'm not concerned with that....if that part doesn't heal I can go back in and correct it" "The part that was a MUST, is showing signs!" So what does this mean??? Well for starters...the BOOT....Ray can take it off now and then to let his leg "breathe" he can also shower without restrictions (well besides no weight-bearing....still has his companion of the "crunches") He is to now "practice" putting weight on his leg (ONLY WHEN IN THE BOOT) on the bathroom scale and work towards 50lbs these next two weeks....then increase it 10lbs a week...each week after that. So Ray and Dr. Scott had a funny conversation at this point....Ray was doing his quick calculations of the weight bearing and we knew we were following up with Dr. Scott in 4 weeks (this was discussed prior to this conversation) so Ray said "So by the next time I see you...lets see...50 pounds week 1 & 2...then 60 pounds then 70!" Without skipping a beat Dr. Scott said "So I guess that means you will be walking with ALL your body weight bearing!" We all loved it and laughed at that....but then Ray and I had that look between the two of us....That it hits too close to the truth! But we are proud to report Ray did gain TWO pounds!!
We also got the go ahead to start the radiation....now this is bittersweet....it could make Ray more tired and healing ground to a halt...but it will be monitored and it is a step FORWARD! We also talked with Dr. Scott about a possible return to work....and barring any major set backs due to radiation or a recurrence....Its possible by Thanksgiving!!!! WOW! We know we still have major hurdles....and will continue to be tried....money (or lack there of) continues to be a huge issue...but we are blessed beyond measure!!! Oh and also yesterday we heard from Dr. Staskus...and Ray's lab to check for the Insilinoma...was at a .01....No Insilinoma tumor!! Yahoo! I have also included a few pictures for your for lack of better words enjoyment :o) Thanks again to all those who send love, prayers and well wishes...we are also still being blessed with some financial help from family, friends and even the anonymous...if this includes you....THANK YOU!
Love from us to you all....till next time!
We also got the go ahead to start the radiation....now this is bittersweet....it could make Ray more tired and healing ground to a halt...but it will be monitored and it is a step FORWARD! We also talked with Dr. Scott about a possible return to work....and barring any major set backs due to radiation or a recurrence....Its possible by Thanksgiving!!!! WOW! We know we still have major hurdles....and will continue to be tried....money (or lack there of) continues to be a huge issue...but we are blessed beyond measure!!! Oh and also yesterday we heard from Dr. Staskus...and Ray's lab to check for the Insilinoma...was at a .01....No Insilinoma tumor!! Yahoo! I have also included a few pictures for your for lack of better words enjoyment :o) Thanks again to all those who send love, prayers and well wishes...we are also still being blessed with some financial help from family, friends and even the anonymous...if this includes you....THANK YOU!
Love from us to you all....till next time!
A shot??? A blood draw??? Surgery???
Bad news??? A smashed toe???
Nope....Ray's nerves as he was having his cast cut off :o) 
Look at this sexy leg!!! NO REDNESS! We still have some dead/black skin but minor!!
A look at his NOT so sexy heal! It needs some TLC!! 
A basin of Heaven! Warm water soak!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Peek A Boo....don't faint....I am updating!
WOW...I looked at the blog and realized it has been since Aug 30th since I last posted....Let me start with a HUGE "I'm sorry!" I know how many of you depend on this to get the updates on Ray...If I for one was on the OTHER end of this I'd be antsy for some info....But in defense of myself....I have been DEAD tired (oops maybe not the best term to use) Being back to work (albeit not many hours) having the kids up and going to school (one willing, one NOT so willing) homework, housework, repeat has taken a toll on me. So literally I have not felt like blogging (which in itself should indicate how stressed I am.....normally I LOVE TO BLOG!!!) Ok that said....I will give you some updates and fill you in.
We have had the run of the mill usual stuff with Ray. His pain management is going well. The annoyance of the slow healing process is aggravating and STRESSFUL! We are still in the "unknown" areas of things. We could still be looking at amputation. So we pray daily that we get improvement! (Thanks to all those who also do it on our behalf!) He H-A-T-E-S the cast, its awkward, heavy, itchy and its starting to smell! He is so agile though with crutches and hopping around....he even helps with the housework (so he doesn't go nuts) he even VACUUMS!! He is cute hopping around pushing the vacuum and using one crutch. He amazes me! We are still battling the low blood sugars. We finally made it to our old endocrinologist (the bad part since she is out of network and we can't get into our "in" network one till November...we have to pay for the WHOLE visit) :o( But we do like her. She adjusted his insulin both Lantus (24 long acting) and Novolog (sliding scale PRN) and is doing a test. She is looking for another type of tumor called an Insolinoma (a tumor that secretes insulin) we should hear back from this shortly. Also she would like Ray to have a genetic test done if this shows positive. Supposedly this type of tumor can be passed on from parent to child. If the genetic lab is positive then all the girls will need to be tested to see if they inherited the gene responsible for that. WHEW....what else, like we need more!!! Also we had another "date" with the paramedics and ambulance and police officers! Monday night (Labor Day) I had just gotten the girls to sleep in their beds and was talking to Ray from the balcony. I asked him if he was ok. He responding with a very rude "I'm fine" (soooo not like Ray) so I came down and felt him. He was sweating profusely and seeming confused a bit AND ornery! So I told him to check his blood sugar and headed to the kitchen for juice...I returned with juice and he had still not got the blood sugar monitor out. I asked 2 more times and kept getting the agitated "I'm fine" response finally I did it myself it said "LOW" which means under 20 (remember normal is 80-140!) at 20 unconsciousness, seizure and death can result! I got the drink in him (barely!) he was loopy and aggressive and then he started the twitching. I called Brek and Mike (sorry so late guys but thanks for running right over!!) Brek tried to get more juice in him and we collectively decided to call 911...he was now not conscious and have seizures. I handled myself well this time...no break downs....no hyperventilating....thanks again Noice's for being there! The police officers arrived 1st. I had the glucagone mixed and read...but they told me to hold off until the paramedics arrived. Once they arrived they tested his blood sugar again and it was still under 20....so they put some "gel-like" glucose in his mouth at the side of his cheek and I had a PB and J sandwich prepared...He finally came around....the first thing he asked was "What happened to my game???" I had turned off the Boise St./Virginia Tech game....that made us all laugh.....and then the next thing he was worried about was his appearance.....he wanted a blanket to cover his undies! Then the mystery of sorts was discovered. While we waited for the paramedics to arrive Brek kept trying to have Ray drink and talk to him....and she kept saying "I think he is trying to tell me something but he can't talk" So then when he was more coherent. He told Brek "I was trying to tell you to get your COLD hands off me!" We laughed again on that! So since we didn't administer the glucagon we didn't have to make a trip to the hospital. And the good part of this stressful night (The girls slept through ALL the commotion!!!) So we are still closely monitoring it. We also have a Dr.'s appointment on Tuesday for another xray and follow up on the leg. Ray is looking forward to having the cast off (even though its only for xraying purposes) at least I can rub it for a few minutes!!! Then the new (stinky free one) goes on! I also need to schedule a Dr. appointment for Courtney....she constantly has a stomach ache (I am sure stress related) and the liquid Maalox helps....so we need her on a stronger antacid RX.
Money woes are here and I believe we are going to have to be more humbled and ask for help and such......the blessing in that aspect though is that Ray's FMLA was supposed to be done in October but due to the merger of his company they were not caught up on paper work and when we got his FMLA papers he has his job secured till November!!!! Blessings!!! Its hard though...its all without pay....AND we have to cover both sides of the insurance premium! ARGH! We need to go to an island and forget our troubles for just a few days! Whew....ok enough complaining. We are grateful! We are blessed beyond measure. And we know the Lord is mindful of us and supporting our way spiritually through all this! Thanks again for the constant prayers and thoughts on our behalf. We love you family and friends!
We have had the run of the mill usual stuff with Ray. His pain management is going well. The annoyance of the slow healing process is aggravating and STRESSFUL! We are still in the "unknown" areas of things. We could still be looking at amputation. So we pray daily that we get improvement! (Thanks to all those who also do it on our behalf!) He H-A-T-E-S the cast, its awkward, heavy, itchy and its starting to smell! He is so agile though with crutches and hopping around....he even helps with the housework (so he doesn't go nuts) he even VACUUMS!! He is cute hopping around pushing the vacuum and using one crutch. He amazes me! We are still battling the low blood sugars. We finally made it to our old endocrinologist (the bad part since she is out of network and we can't get into our "in" network one till November...we have to pay for the WHOLE visit) :o( But we do like her. She adjusted his insulin both Lantus (24 long acting) and Novolog (sliding scale PRN) and is doing a test. She is looking for another type of tumor called an Insolinoma (a tumor that secretes insulin) we should hear back from this shortly. Also she would like Ray to have a genetic test done if this shows positive. Supposedly this type of tumor can be passed on from parent to child. If the genetic lab is positive then all the girls will need to be tested to see if they inherited the gene responsible for that. WHEW....what else, like we need more!!! Also we had another "date" with the paramedics and ambulance and police officers! Monday night (Labor Day) I had just gotten the girls to sleep in their beds and was talking to Ray from the balcony. I asked him if he was ok. He responding with a very rude "I'm fine" (soooo not like Ray) so I came down and felt him. He was sweating profusely and seeming confused a bit AND ornery! So I told him to check his blood sugar and headed to the kitchen for juice...I returned with juice and he had still not got the blood sugar monitor out. I asked 2 more times and kept getting the agitated "I'm fine" response finally I did it myself it said "LOW" which means under 20 (remember normal is 80-140!) at 20 unconsciousness, seizure and death can result! I got the drink in him (barely!) he was loopy and aggressive and then he started the twitching. I called Brek and Mike (sorry so late guys but thanks for running right over!!) Brek tried to get more juice in him and we collectively decided to call 911...he was now not conscious and have seizures. I handled myself well this time...no break downs....no hyperventilating....thanks again Noice's for being there! The police officers arrived 1st. I had the glucagone mixed and read...but they told me to hold off until the paramedics arrived. Once they arrived they tested his blood sugar again and it was still under 20....so they put some "gel-like" glucose in his mouth at the side of his cheek and I had a PB and J sandwich prepared...He finally came around....the first thing he asked was "What happened to my game???" I had turned off the Boise St./Virginia Tech game....that made us all laugh.....and then the next thing he was worried about was his appearance.....he wanted a blanket to cover his undies! Then the mystery of sorts was discovered. While we waited for the paramedics to arrive Brek kept trying to have Ray drink and talk to him....and she kept saying "I think he is trying to tell me something but he can't talk" So then when he was more coherent. He told Brek "I was trying to tell you to get your COLD hands off me!" We laughed again on that! So since we didn't administer the glucagon we didn't have to make a trip to the hospital. And the good part of this stressful night (The girls slept through ALL the commotion!!!) So we are still closely monitoring it. We also have a Dr.'s appointment on Tuesday for another xray and follow up on the leg. Ray is looking forward to having the cast off (even though its only for xraying purposes) at least I can rub it for a few minutes!!! Then the new (stinky free one) goes on! I also need to schedule a Dr. appointment for Courtney....she constantly has a stomach ache (I am sure stress related) and the liquid Maalox helps....so we need her on a stronger antacid RX.
Money woes are here and I believe we are going to have to be more humbled and ask for help and such......the blessing in that aspect though is that Ray's FMLA was supposed to be done in October but due to the merger of his company they were not caught up on paper work and when we got his FMLA papers he has his job secured till November!!!! Blessings!!! Its hard though...its all without pay....AND we have to cover both sides of the insurance premium! ARGH! We need to go to an island and forget our troubles for just a few days! Whew....ok enough complaining. We are grateful! We are blessed beyond measure. And we know the Lord is mindful of us and supporting our way spiritually through all this! Thanks again for the constant prayers and thoughts on our behalf. We love you family and friends!
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