Chris was in the hospital from Friday night until late Sunday afternoon. I left off on my last post just after his surgery* which happened Saturday afternoon.
We waited for Chris to come back up to his room after the surgery for what seemed like 1,000 forevers. I was itching to see him and to be totally honest-go home and shower and see/feed Jaycie (baby kitty.) Finally he got back into the room and he was out. Like, I was about to ask for some of what he had because he was so relaxed. I figured he'd be in and out of it for the next little bit so my aunt and her boyfriend stayed with him while I ran home. I kissed him and told him I'd be back in about an hour, and then my grandma drove me to our apartment (I'd been up for days at this point and she didn't trust me driving 10 miles back home.) Thanks grandma! I showered, picked up a few things and fed baby kitty. Just as we got into the car to drive back up to the hospital my phone rings.
My aunt- "Chris is hungry bring FOOD."
Me- "What does he want? Ask him what sounds good."
My aunt- "Oh he's already asleep again."
Me- "Ok be there in ten minutes."
I got back to the hospital (with no food) and he was wide awake. Aw. He was so happy to see me. Of course I don't even know if he knew I was ever gone. Just kidding baby of course you did!
And now begins what I like to call Morphine Chris...
Everyone finally left about six on Saturday night and it was the first time we had been alone all day. Chris was actually awake and alert now so I asked him again what he wanted for dinner. His request? Chicken strips and gravy from Sonic. Hello? Is my boyfriend in there? That's an Ashley request not a Chris request. Anyway thanks to my uncle (who really isn't my uncle because my aunt and uncle split but is still MY uncle) for stopping by Sonic and getting us food. He was gagging as he walked in with it and was like, "Dude, I could have brought you food from anywhere and you wanted this?" Let's just say Chris thoroughly enjoyed his gravy and chocolate malt. Ew.
Later that night...A new nurse. If you read my previous post then you've heard about Horrible Nurse. She was replaced with hmm, what shall we call her? Hold on let me ask Chris, ok, Nurse Cutie.
Gag me.
We'll blame it on the morphine. He looooooved Nurse Cutie. Especially when she brought him meds. I think he tried to stay awake most of the night just so he could
Nurse Cutie- "I'm leaving in about 30 minutes, do you want me to go ahead and give you more pain medicine now or do you want to wait until the next nurse comes in? I don't know how long that will be and I don't want you to be uncomfortable."
Chris- "Now, give it now."
Nurse Cutie- "Mmm K I'll be right back."
Three minutes later Nurse Cutie administers the goods and the farewells begin.
Nurse Cutie- "Ok, Chris, I'll be back tonight at 7 so if you're still here then I will see you then!"
Chris- "Oh, ok." (You can probably insert a sad face here but I was"sleeping" so I can't be sure) "You've been such a wonderful nurse and I just want to thank you for taking such good care of me. You've been awesomeeeee."
Nurse Cutie- "Well you haven't been so bad yourself!"
The tone of her voice made me sit straight up on that squeaky cot and she was outta there.
Okay, now that I type it out it doesn't sound so bad but you just had to be there. He was so drugged up that he was dragging out words and it would have been cute if he hadn't been so googly eyed. Funny story? My grandpa has had the same nurse and they compared
I know this post is super long but I promise I'm getting to the goods here soon.
Oh did I mention that Horrible Nurse was back for the day? Joy. Of course, we didn't see much of her.
At 7:30 on Sunday morning in walks his oncologist. Dr. K. Holy cow he's an early bird. Immediately Chris and I look at each other and know we are going to love this guy. Dr. K. comes in and tells us that yes, the cancer has definitely spread into his abdomen (bad) and he has a two and a half inch mass on his abdomen and another smaller one as well (bad). We also learn then that testicular cancer spreads in a certain way. It originates in the testis, moves into the lymph nodes (in his groin), goes into the abdomen, then into the lungs, and finally ends up in the brain. You know my friend Lance Armstrong? Well he's not really my friend but we'd love to meet him. Anyway, his testicular cancer had spread into his lungs and brain (this was in 1996.) And look at him now! Chris's cancer has only gotten as far as his abdomen(good.) No lungs or brain involved
Back to Dr. K. and the plan of attack! He immediately told us that he wants Chris to bank sperm (chemo will most likely make him sterile.) Wow, it was hard to type that out and I'm sure hard for him to read. It's okay though because we have options. And, Dr. K. wants Chris to start chemotherapy on December 14th. Dr. K. said that testicular cancer is very responsive to chemotherapy and he is sure all of the cancer will be "mopped up"with chemotherapy treatments (good). Dr. K is very eccentric.
Did I mention we looooove him?
Chris was such a trooper and did so well the day after his surgery that he was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon. Don't ask about the discharge. Horrible Nurse really lived up to her name on Sunday. I'm sure he was secretly sad he wouldn't get to see Nurse Cutie that night. But all was well and he got to sleep in his own bed! I can't believe we've been home for two weeks.
Who else saw that nail biter of a football game last night? I can't believe those Longhorns. Of course I'll admit the game wasn't too interesting until there was only about two minutes left in the fourth. Or ONE second left in the fourth!
*Go read the previous post, it talks more about his inguinal orchiectomy...I should let you guys know that Chris really didn't have much pain after the surgery and morphine. Mostly when he switched positions, laying to sitting etc, and walking up/down three flights of stairs (because who wanted a third floor apartment? Oh yeah, that was me) he felt a little pain. Nothing a little Motrin couldn't handle.
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