Maybe I shouldn’t have thrown the concept of having more information about Roy’s condition out into the universe? It seems to have triggered a postponement, but I am probably giving myself too much credit…
Roy’s hepatologist Dr. Asrani decided that he wants “to get more information” with the current treatment before having Roy do a biopsy in Dallas. We won’t go on Monday as planned and instead Roy will have labs next Thursday February 28. After Dr. Asrani reviews those, he will decide when Roy should go up for a biopsy. The hepatologist still wants to do a biopsy just not as previously scheduled. We are prepped – the car is in top shape and we already received the map and instructions – so when the biopsy is a “go,” we can.
Roy got a pedicure on Saturday at the spa – he wasn’t feeling like being out in the regular nail salon with people staring; I am not adept at foot care for others and would rather pay a professional to do it correctly. His skin on his legs is almost healed. He felt well enough for me to stop at the quilt shop to pick up a few things while he listened to a podcast in the car and we had a fortuitous meeting with his water friends Coral and Colleen (who happen to be quilters and were arriving as I came out). Prior to his illness, Roy was participating 4 times/week at a water exercise class at St. Joseph’s. He is walking each day; he now has custody of the mailbox key and going down to the boxes is part of his routine again.
Yesterday, our stylist Wes cut Roy’s hair for the first time since December (the curls were getting a little bit crazy). Roy also went by his office to get his tax forms – he’s feeling well enough to work on filing our taxes and to make arrangements to do his dad’s too (Clair will bring or send the documents from West Texas). However, Roy tires very easily and each excursion drained him. I can tell he feels better because he has started reading more. For a while, it was just television and not much else.
Roy continues to lose weight – it is mostly water but I suspect he is also losing fat since his face is getting thin. The medications are primarily diuretics with some Ursodiol (to address the bilirubin) and Potassium (to counteract the “water pills” taking it out of his system). Roy doesn’t think he looks yellow anymore but his skin still has a slight tinge. His eyes are not really jaundiced so the bilirubin is clearing out of his system.
Roy has started talking about going back to work. I think he is getting a little stir-crazy at home. Dr. Sterling set April 1 as the most likely time for him to start back but Roy thinks he might be able to go back sooner. He did get permission to go back to the water exercise class once his skin heals completely – that will definitely help by connecting him to other people besides me and the increased exercise will help him heal.
Waiting 
Leave a comment