Again With The Waiting!

I'm upset! It actually did not take too long to convince Papa that he needed the thoracentesis. When he could think about the need for a bit, and not in "the heat of the moment" so to speak, he could see the necessity. He was not happy about it at all but at least he was going to do it. So the procedure was scheduled for Wednesday the 24th, tomorrow. The hospital just phoned me and said that they were cancelling the procedure. There is not enough fluid in the pleural space to do the procedure safely at this time. They said the doctor will monitor Papa and do the procedure in the future when anything changes.

Ratz!! I want to get this done, ya know? I want to get the ball rolling if Papa needs more chemo... the sooner the better I say. On the other hand I'm glad he doesn't have to go through this and I know he will be too (he does not know at this point that the procedure is cancelled as he is still sleeping). Poor Papa... when he found out almost a year ago that he had to have that huge surgery, he was quietly all gung-ho... he wanted to get it done and get on with life. Now he is reluctant to have anything further done. He's tired of poking and proding and chemicals dripping into his body. I don't blame him, I would be tired too. He said to me the other day... that fluid is probably a new cancer caused by the chemo I've been getting. That is not unheard of you know. He may be tired of all things medical but, he is not tired of life so he will do what is necessary, reluctantly and dragging his feet like a recalcitrant child, but he will do it till he is that tired. Meanwhile the heart doctor is wanting Papa to come in for a stress test and maybe an echocardiogram and on and on... geezzzz. Will Papa do it? Stay tuned.

I suppose this could be a good thing, that there is not much fluid. The Doctor made it sound much worse but then that's his job isn't it?! I just don't know what to think now. Will this allow the cancer, if indeed that is what is causing the fluid, to spread more? Is the fluid caused by something else and if so, what? What do we do now? Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Well, spring is here and summer is on the way. The robins abound and there are huge buds on some of the trees. My day lily's are sending up shoots and the hosta's will be making an appearance any day. Ben is hosting a family weekend gathering in June and Melanie has made camping reservations at our favorite campground for in July. Papa plans on being there to enjoy all these things and more.