This week has been a quiet week. Geoff was feeling pretty good Tuesday and walked quite a bit around the house (inside of course). Perhaps he overdid just a little because Wednesday was not a very good day. So he rested all day Wednesday.
The only venture outside this week was to his primary care physician to follow up on the blood clot and the xarelto. He is to continue the xarelto until this prescription runs out, taking two a day. When this prescription is done, he will take it for three more months but only once a day. He was also tested for anemia. The doctor will call him if he is anemic and let him know what to do.
His favorite thins is that he is to continue wearing the compression hose until he goes back to his PCP in mid-March. And his very favorite thing about the compression hose is that I washed them for him yesterday with a bunch of kitchen towels. I washed them all on the "sanitize" cycle. As some of you may know, my kitchen is red and I have some new dish drying mats that are also red and have never been washed...until yesterday...with the white compression hose. You can guess the rest. But he is a good sport about it...after all "only real men can wear pink"
The goal for this week...go to the varsity game on Friday night and continue as possible with paperwork, scheduling and upcoming sectional arrangements for transportation, etc.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Progress
This was a pretty good weekend. On Friday, our friends Deb and Tony, drove us to our girls basketball sectional game at Bellmont against Mississinewa. This was Geoff's first venture out of the house except for his doctor appointment last week. He made it through the whole game but was not very comfortable. So he decided one game for the weekend was enough. (We are not counting this as going back to work...just an outing:-)
He feeling pretty good, but is anxious for things to get back to normal.
Thanks to all for all the cards, phone calls, food, snacks, thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all Geoff's "crew" for keeping things going at games while he is not able to be there. And thanks to the other administrators and others at the high school for taking over wherever they can.
He feeling pretty good, but is anxious for things to get back to normal.
Thanks to all for all the cards, phone calls, food, snacks, thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all Geoff's "crew" for keeping things going at games while he is not able to be there. And thanks to the other administrators and others at the high school for taking over wherever they can.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
First Post-op Visit
Today was the first post-op visit with Dr. Urban. The news was all good so far. He is now free from his "little buddy" (the catheter) and he is extremely happy about that!
The pathology report was good...actually better than expected. The Gleason scores turned out to be lower than originally thought but treatment was still necessary even at the lower scores. They dropped him from a stage 3 to a stage 2 so that was also better than expected. Dr. Urban said the disease was significant and was glad he went ahead with the surgery.
No further treatment is necessary at this time. The first true test will come mid-March when he has his first post-op PSA. The goal is to have a VERY LOW score, even zero. He will find that score out at his next appointment March 19.
I was thinking of having a pool...who can guess the first day he will be back at work, not counting ball games?
The pathology report was good...actually better than expected. The Gleason scores turned out to be lower than originally thought but treatment was still necessary even at the lower scores. They dropped him from a stage 3 to a stage 2 so that was also better than expected. Dr. Urban said the disease was significant and was glad he went ahead with the surgery.
No further treatment is necessary at this time. The first true test will come mid-March when he has his first post-op PSA. The goal is to have a VERY LOW score, even zero. He will find that score out at his next appointment March 19.
I was thinking of having a pool...who can guess the first day he will be back at work, not counting ball games?
Monday, February 10, 2014
Home Again
INR report today 4.0...so guess who came home today! I went to the hospital and picked him up to bring him home about 10:00am. He was very happy to be home. He is no worse for the wear...seems to still be doing well but has a little backache from the bedrest (not being able to move around)
The doctor decided to prescribe Xarelto instead of Coumadin for a blood thinner. With Xarelto, there will be no blood tests. He will be on the blood thinner probably 3-6 months.
We go back to the surgeon this Wednesday for diagnostic testing and the pathology report.
Geoff thanks everyone who has sent cards, flowers, food, treats, books, magazines, crosswords, well wishes and prayers.
The doctor decided to prescribe Xarelto instead of Coumadin for a blood thinner. With Xarelto, there will be no blood tests. He will be on the blood thinner probably 3-6 months.
We go back to the surgeon this Wednesday for diagnostic testing and the pathology report.
Geoff thanks everyone who has sent cards, flowers, food, treats, books, magazines, crosswords, well wishes and prayers.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Progress
Today was a good day. The INR is up to 1.8 so the doctor thinks he will be coming home tomorrow. He is definitely ready!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Bedrest
Today is the first full day of bedrest. The only reason he is allowed up is to use the restroom. One of his former students popped in for a minute today and said he was amazed...he has never seen Mr. Penrod still for so long.
Mr. Penrod is definitely not enjoying being still for so long, believe me! The good news is, the swelling in his foot and leg has gone down tremendously. To my untrained eye, I would say he has no swelling at all. That is a very good sign that things are improving. But the indicator that the medical people are looking at is the INR. I asked what INR stands for and the person I asked could not remember what the N stands for but it is "International 'something' Ratio". Some other medical people reading this blog may be able to fill in the "N" for us.
What it is...it indicates how well the blood is clotting. The lower the number, the more it clots. The goal is to have it not clot so much so they want the INR to 2.0-3.0. This morning, Geoff's INR was 1.0
No one can say how long it will take to get up to 2.0. Everyone reacts differently...some people change quickly, some slowly. It appears Geoff's number will be changing slowly, but who knows!?
So, he is getting a shot of lovenox (twice today) and a pill of Coumadin (1 today at 5:00) Another blood test in the morning will determine how much Coumadin tomorrow.
His attitude is pretty good, really. He is disappointed that this happened because he was doing everything the doctor said (as far as walking, etc) and he is getting bored, I'm sure. He was glad to have a few visitors today (besides me:-)
So, just hoping for positive change in the INR tomorrow!
Mr. Penrod is definitely not enjoying being still for so long, believe me! The good news is, the swelling in his foot and leg has gone down tremendously. To my untrained eye, I would say he has no swelling at all. That is a very good sign that things are improving. But the indicator that the medical people are looking at is the INR. I asked what INR stands for and the person I asked could not remember what the N stands for but it is "International 'something' Ratio". Some other medical people reading this blog may be able to fill in the "N" for us.
What it is...it indicates how well the blood is clotting. The lower the number, the more it clots. The goal is to have it not clot so much so they want the INR to 2.0-3.0. This morning, Geoff's INR was 1.0
No one can say how long it will take to get up to 2.0. Everyone reacts differently...some people change quickly, some slowly. It appears Geoff's number will be changing slowly, but who knows!?
So, he is getting a shot of lovenox (twice today) and a pill of Coumadin (1 today at 5:00) Another blood test in the morning will determine how much Coumadin tomorrow.
His attitude is pretty good, really. He is disappointed that this happened because he was doing everything the doctor said (as far as walking, etc) and he is getting bored, I'm sure. He was glad to have a few visitors today (besides me:-)
So, just hoping for positive change in the INR tomorrow!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Setback
Geoff was doing very well. He was up and around a lot, not taking much pain medication and feeling pretty good. The only weird thing to happen was his left knee was very sore yesterday. He called someone from FWO and asked about it and he said to watch for swelling in the calf and foot. Well, today there was swelling in the calf and foot and his leg was pretty hot below his knee.
He called Dr. Urban and described his symptoms. Dr. Urban suggested he go to the local ER. They did an ultrasound and found that he has a blood clot behind his left knee, which is his artificial knee. The doctor told him they could treat it at home or in the hospital. The treatment can cause some bleeding. He decided since it is behind his artificial knee, he would stay in the hospital.
He had a blood test in the ER and a shot of lovenox and a pill of Coumadin. He is on bedrest and will continue with the blood tests and blood thinners. I don't know how long he will be in the hospital for this. I guess it depends on when the blood clot is gone.
He called Dr. Urban and described his symptoms. Dr. Urban suggested he go to the local ER. They did an ultrasound and found that he has a blood clot behind his left knee, which is his artificial knee. The doctor told him they could treat it at home or in the hospital. The treatment can cause some bleeding. He decided since it is behind his artificial knee, he would stay in the hospital.
He had a blood test in the ER and a shot of lovenox and a pill of Coumadin. He is on bedrest and will continue with the blood tests and blood thinners. I don't know how long he will be in the hospital for this. I guess it depends on when the blood clot is gone.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Home
Well, from 5:30 yesterday morning till 5:30 today, time just seemed to fly! Of course Geoff doesn't recall much from 7:08am on from yesterday, but he does remember some. Needless to say, he feels like he lost a whole day. And now we are home!
We left the hospital about 3pm after getting instructions for all the gadgets he has attached to him for the next week or so. Geoff is doing well. He has been up and around since he got home.
He cannot drive for at least a week. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday, Feb 12. He will then get the pathology report. After a while, they will do a PSA test. He hopes to fail that test (by getting a zero on it).
Stayed tuned for the next episode.
We left the hospital about 3pm after getting instructions for all the gadgets he has attached to him for the next week or so. Geoff is doing well. He has been up and around since he got home.
He cannot drive for at least a week. He goes back to the doctor on Wednesday, Feb 12. He will then get the pathology report. After a while, they will do a PSA test. He hopes to fail that test (by getting a zero on it).
Stayed tuned for the next episode.
Up and Around
The morning has started off well. Geoff got up, out of bed about 6:30 and took two laps around "the circle". He doesn't seem to have much pain. He is using an "On Q" to help with the pain. It delivers the pain med right to the area of the surgery rather than through an IV. He is much more awake using that than having to have the pain meds through the IV. He is still on a clear liquid diet until they tell him he can have some regular food...hopefully that will be soon.
The doctor should be in sometime this morning and give him a plan for the day. The snow is coming down pretty good. Whitley County is under a travel watch right now. So...looks like it will be slow driving home when we get to leave.
Geoff says to thank everyone for thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
The doctor should be in sometime this morning and give him a plan for the day. The snow is coming down pretty good. Whitley County is under a travel watch right now. So...looks like it will be slow driving home when we get to leave.
Geoff says to thank everyone for thoughts, prayers and words of encouragement.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
In the Room
At about 3:00 Geoff was admitted to his room. He is resting comfortably and looks pretty good.
He is on clear liquids today so he just had some water and a popsicle a little while ago. I'm sure he will be glad to get regular food tomorrow. And tomorrow he should be up walking around with the goal of going home in the afternoon.
Thanks to everyone for all your positive thoughts and prayers.
He is on clear liquids today so he just had some water and a popsicle a little while ago. I'm sure he will be glad to get regular food tomorrow. And tomorrow he should be up walking around with the goal of going home in the afternoon.
Thanks to everyone for all your positive thoughts and prayers.
Day of Surgery
The surgery is over!
I just met with Dr. Urban for a post-op report. Since the right side of the prostate was not affected, they did not take as wide a margin from that side but took more area from around the left side.
The prostate was not abnormally shaped which means the disease is all microscopic. The lymph nodes around the prostate looked normal so no lymph nodes were removed. The surgery went as expected.
If all goes well, he will be able to go home tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will allow us to go home.
I just met with Dr. Urban for a post-op report. Since the right side of the prostate was not affected, they did not take as wide a margin from that side but took more area from around the left side.
The prostate was not abnormally shaped which means the disease is all microscopic. The lymph nodes around the prostate looked normal so no lymph nodes were removed. The surgery went as expected.
If all goes well, he will be able to go home tomorrow. Hopefully the weather will allow us to go home.
Day of Surgery #1
It is now 8:18 am. We have been at the hospital since 5:30. Everything has gone right on schedule. He met with the anesthesiologist and the surgeon at about 6:45. They started the anesthesia and took him back to the operating room at 7:08. The surgery is scheduled for 7:30 and should take about 4 or 4 1/2 hours then recovery for 1-2 hours.
More info will follow.
More info will follow.
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