30 August 2007
Thursday, 11:45
High-Level Journal Summary: Per the introduction in my 8/26/07 online journal entry, this is the fourth of eight caregiver journals. This one is from my Dad, who has been the "boots on the ground" guy in it all -- especially during Emergency Room situations. This is fitting given that he served several decades as an officer in the United States Army.
I fully respect that dealing with brain cancer, for example, can be an extremely private circumstance. I know one brain cancer patient who was so private that not even their children knew about their diagnosis as the patient went into surgery.
My Dad has a somewhat similar need for privacy. Even so, he ventures out in this caregiver journal. Even more, he makes himself available to others for counsel. I joke that he will regret giving out his number, because there are a lot of people who will need to call. But, he did not hesitate in doing so.
Countdowns:
1.) Day 25 of 28 in my 24th 5/23 Temodar chemotherapy cycle.
2007 Seizure Activity:
1.) Last Simple Partial Seizure, or SPS, was today. This is the 6th day in a row where I have had at least 1 SPS.
It happened in the late afternoon as I was talking with and visiting friends. It lasted for about 5 seconds, and it was light in strength. This probably happened because I was not able to get enough sleep this afternoon. I got 1.5 hours of quality sleep, but that is not the 2.5 to 3.0 hours of sleep I usually get each afternoon. No Ativan emergency anti-seizure medication was taken.
Six days in a row with at least one SPS is what I personally consider to be unusually excessive SPS activity. I mean, when is the last time that this has happened? I would really have to go back and study my SPS data to answer this question. In any case, this is a trend I do not like. Based on this SPS activity, I am cutting short this trip to visit friends. I am heading home ASAP.
2.) In 2007, I have had 52 SPS's in 242 days. This is an average of 1 SPS every 4.7 days.
Caregiver Journal:
David,
I have become increasingly convinced that the effort you put into 38 Lemon undoubtedly assists many people in many ways. However, your propensity and need to share with the entire world electronically the innermost thoughts of your soul are foreign to me.
It's not out of lack of concern for the unfortunate situations which other cancer patients may be going through, but rather my need for privacy of thought and feelings. I'm definitely not comfortable with sharing my innermost thoughts and feelings on line with the universe; however, I think I'm a compassionate enough person to understand some of the needs of others.
Therefore, I offer my cell phone number (571/243-7283) to any patients or caregivers or parents if any of them would like to contact the father of a brain tumor patient to discuss, one on one, care giving issues. I'm sending this to you in the same manner you sent the email to me in the hopes that your other addressees will understand my need for privacy.
Love,
Dad
