Wife Just Diagnosed w/ ES SCLC - What Can We Expect?

@rlogan and @merpreb I’m going to jump in here about retrofitting wheelchair access to one’s home because my husband just did some research about this for friends. They thought that it would be a simple and inexpensive solution to simply have him build a ramp. But there are specific requirements for building codes and safety with respect to incline, length necessary to maintain the incline, resting spot according to length, etc.

For our friend, the more efficient, safer and cheaper solution was an elevator, which they purchased second hand.

We are looking into the lift/elevator option also. We found a 50" rise one for less than $4000. I will still need to raise that landing area by 12+ inches to achieve the 62" total rise. Thanks for the input.

I had to take her to the hospital today and she is suffering from a urinary tract infection and slight pneumonia. She is back home and received antibiotics for both issues. She has started on an appetite enhancer this evening, so hopefully that will get her hungry again.

UTI's are pretty common in women. What appetite enhancer did they give her this time? Will she be getting radiation?

Merry, they prescribed Megestrol AC for her appetite and is seems to be working. Today she had a protein shake for breakfast, 1/2 cheese sandwich for lunch and small bowl of tomato soup and 2 Ritz crackers for dinner. Does not sound like much, but better than nothing or a single protein shake in a day....

Her Oncologist says no radiation treatments while she is on chemo. She has 3 more treatments at 3 week intervals for this cycle before radiation is an option for her pelvis.

Bob- She should start to feel better as she eats more and more. I hope that she kept it down! I hope that she continues to build up her strength so that she will be stronger for future treatments. I hope that Liz hasn't lost too much weight?

She has not vomited since the weekend. Hopefully, that phase is over until her next chemo treatment in two weeks.

She has lost over 30 lbs. since Feb and I am just hoping that we can stop the loss. She is definitely weaker than she was a few weeks ago and simply taking a shower exhausts her now. We have a real challenge tomorrow as we will be out and about all morning. We will be getting a power of attorney notarized, then blood work, then pelvic x-ray and finally home. We will be using her walker for the first time and thankfully it allows her to stand/walk erect and has a chair seat built in between the two handles. This will allow her to stop and rest as needed.

That's a lot of weight, Bob. I am assuming that she was a normal size prior to her weight loss?

What an exhausting day for both of you! I'm sure that the walker will help and hopefully, she will feel less fatigued. Do you think that she will be embarrassed to use it? I was a bit when I used it at an airport the last time that I flew but after being seated in a much better seat and being taken off first I didn't care about the stares. There was just no way that I could walk down those long corridors!

Please take care of yourself too, Bob. I wish that I could help relieve you somehow in person. You could go for a walk or a bar for that matter! lol I'm here and will be for as long as you need me. Just know this and rely on it. You are not alone. YOu might not feel it but we are all extending cyber hugs and hands to hold! And my shoulder whenever you need me.

Is Liz up a lot at night? Would you be able to take Melatonin for some extra sleep or would that be too chancy?

Thanks Merry, as always I anticipate your insight.
Liz was around 158 to start and now less than 130.
As far as the walker goes, we discovered that it is sturdy enough to act as a substitute wheelchair when she sits on it and I push - go figure. Not as sturdy or as comfortable as a wheelchair, but when she got tired, she just sat down and I pushed for short distances.
Liz actually sleeps pretty well through the night. I thought about melatonin but not sure if it helps relieve stress and anxiety.

Hi Bob- I'm certainly glad that the walker worked out well! What a relief for both of you.

For anxiety, I take a CBD tincture. I take 1500 mg hemp/ bottle. It really works for me and doesn't make me feel stoned or sleepy. If you lack sleep that will increase your anxiety, and make you jittery. When I need to sleep I take both. I don't take any THC because at this time it makes me jittery and I don't need any more than I already have! 🙂

Does Liz like the weight she is now or is she too thin for her liking and health?

Merry

Hi Bob- I'm certainly glad that the walker worked out well! What a relief for both of you.

For anxiety, I take a CBD tincture. I take 1500 mg hemp/ bottle. It really works for me and doesn't make me feel stoned or sleepy. If you lack sleep that will increase your anxiety, and make you jittery. When I need to sleep I take both. I don't take any THC because at this time it makes me jittery and I don't need any more than I already have! 🙂

Does Liz like the weight she is now or is she too thin for her liking and health?

Merry