Update on Earl

Well..... we don't know for sure what is going on. Tests show there is nothing. No infection, no kidney stone(s), no bone cancer.

Earl went back to primary doctor yesterday. They've about decided all the back pain is somehow related to the radiation. The nurse used to work for our Oncology doctor and said she had seen this happen numerous times over the years. It just takes time to get over it, but can be a very painful process. No one has given Earl any idea of how long this may continue. Guess every case is different.

The doctor gave Earl a prescription for a muscle relaxer. Earl tried them last night. Worked fairly quickly to ease the pain, but did not last. He had to take Tylenol, too. Then, took another muscle relaxer after about six hours (instead of eight, as directed).

It is a big relief to finally know there is nothing major wrong. I just wish he could get some rest. This is an every night thing. Sitting straight up on the side of the bed seems to be the only thing he can do that helps. He takes Tylenol and then sits there until the pain eases.

Good trip to Philly

Dr. Watson was smiling today! That, in itself, was impressive.

Dr. W stated that he was impressed that Earl is doing well one year later. All the scans and lab reports were reviewed and all were clear for cancer.

The only concern is the back pain Earl is still experiencing mainly at night. Earl is to call and arrange for an x-ray to look for a possible kidney stone. Earl keeps saying it feels like the pain he had with a stone years ago. He plans to keep pushing the doctors here to find out what is going on. We hope they will figure it out.

Update June 14th

Earl is a little better (he says), but I still find him sitting up on side of bed during the night waiting for the Tylenol to kick in.

He did talk to a nurse at the doctor's office day before yesterday. She still says the discomfort is from the bladder infection. He still has medication to take thru Tuesday. If he is still hurting then, he is to call and see the Doctor again.

He will be flying to Philadelphia on Wed. to see Dr. Watson for his one year checkup. He will be taking scans done here for the doctors in Philly to view.

Please continue to pray that the scans are clear and there is no sign of a recurrence.

No stone

Earl finally called the Doctor and was told the pain is associated with the bladder infection. So he has been given an even stronger, fourth antibiotic. He is to take this one twice daily for 14 days. This infection is just not going away. We hope this med will take care of it.