Rich was pretty insistent on getting signed up for Tai Chi, as he feels this form of exercise can help with his balance and his psychical well being. It builds strength and balance and so much more.
With that done we saw Dr. Rahim. He went through Rich's chart and we talked a bit about how things were looking good and Rich was now in the monitoring stage. There would be a follow up with ENT -- Ear Nose Throat, and we'd see him again in 3 months.
We told him that we were going to meet with a Dr. Loconte who is in charge of Palliative Care and Dr. Rahim nodded, he believed this was an excellent choice for us. Dr. Faris planned on sitting in with us on the first time we see Dr. Loconte and Dr. Rahim said he would be dropping in also.
What exactly is Palliative Care? Well it is not end of life care, that is called Hospice.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv) is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Palliative care is provided by a specially-trained team of doctors, nurses and other specialists who work together with a patient’s other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided along with curative treatment.
We thought about this decision and felt that is was a good fit for Rich. Dr. Faris had brought it up a while ago and we've talked with other health professionals [nurses in particular] about it and they said it was a great program.
As Rich told Dr. Faris yesterday, "Look, we are all going to die. I just don't want all the decisions taken out of my hands and feel lost like I was during cancer treatment."
Dr. Faris understood.
With Dr. Rahim, Rich said, "If that cancer comes back, I am not going through treatment again."
Dr. Rahim shrugged and put a hand on Rich's shoulder and nodded.
"Mr. Ewing, let's cross that bridge if it ever comes to that? Okay? I will be checking in with you with your visit with Dr. Loconte."
So onward our care goes.
Rich looks good in your photos. Nice to see him fishing and working around the farm. He has come a long way since all this started.
ReplyDeleteThank you, it really has been a difficult path, but we are still hopeful.
ReplyDeleteExactly, we can't live in constant fear or it would be so much worse.
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