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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: RevMC on October 01, 2006, 11:38:43 am

Title: Partner Update
Post by: RevMC on October 01, 2006, 11:38:43 am
Hi everyone,

Just an update on Louie.  He's on chemo again for KS.  I think I caught a bug from work and now Louie has it.  I called our doc to get meds in case I did catch something.  Evidently I did.  He's been very sick the past few days.  Can't keep anything down, he's on a few different anti-nausea meds, Zofran is the newest ($2,400 a month, thank god for Medicare D).  Doc is out of town until Tuesday morning so on call doc called in Doxycyclene and Lamodal for diahrea.  He's so week right now.  We're at his moms house, I don't have a drivers license right now, long story, I'lll have to create a blog for that one.  She's 86 and trying to help us out a lot.  Gives me a brreak from cooking, though he's on a liquid diet for a few days, call in docs orders.  He's been able to keep down chicken broth, but  not much of anything else.

We live in a small travel trailer so it's hard for us all to stay there, yet I have to be there so I can go to work.  AAAUUUUGGGGHHHH  We're about an hour away.  I should get my license back by December, but am stuck until then.

He's afraid he'll end up in the hospital, then what will we do.  He's down to 115#'s from usual weight of 140.  I hadn't mentioned this before but he has lypodistrophy (sp).  My glove size for my hands is med-large and I can now put my whole hand around his bicep area.  Couldn't do that before.  After 18 yrs of being poz I haven't really seen this so it's all new to me.  Louie reminded me that he looks like the pictures the news media posts of how people with AIDS looks.

He truly does look like that now  :(:(:(  All I want to do right now is cry.  I'm so scared.  I don't really have any family of my own any longer.  Mom died 5 years ago, dad and I aren't close, and my brother is in prison.  We're trying to get close again, but we'll see.

I know our creator has a reason for all this, I usually figure out why I meet certain people and why certain things happen.  Just wondering why this now after all these years.

Watching what he's going through has me worried.  What am I going to do when and if I get in his condition?  Who will help take care of me?  What about our dog?   AAAUUUUGGGGHHHH

I know I'll be fine, I'm sure someone will be there when it's my turn.  I'm stil lucky though I have the whole med line to go through so I'll be around for a long time yet to come.

Need to figure out what kind of work I can do that doesn't put me in VERY close contact with others.  I work in a hairsalon, people come in sick all the time and don't even think twice about it.  Even my co-workers don't wash their hands all the time, their idea of handsoap is to fill the bottle with water when it gets low instead of refilling it with more handsoap.

I'm always washing my hands, spraying everrything with lysol just to keep germs down somewhat.  But it's hard when no one else seems to care.  They know my situation but it doesn't seem to worry them about germs.  Guess they want to get sick for a day off.

Well l'll go for now.  Will keep everyone updated.

Rev. Michael
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: IzPoz on October 01, 2006, 02:47:39 pm
Rev. Michael,

Sounds like you are having a rough time right now.  I can only hope that it gets better for you and your partner soon.  It's difficult when someone you love loses so much weight, because when they look at themselves, they become more depressed.  Somehow, you have to keep his spirits up and tell him when he's able to hold food down, you both will work on him gaining the weight back.

I hope the chemo treatment does what it needs and that they get the treatments done quickly, so you can work on the weight.

My thoughts are with you.  Just do your best to take care of you, too.
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: Life on October 01, 2006, 04:57:02 pm
Michael...

I am keeping You and your Partner in my prayers.   Use that HP.
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: AlanBama on October 01, 2006, 05:30:38 pm
Hi Rev

sending you and your partner love and hugs, and wishing for a speedy recovery.

Alan
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: angels4kelly on October 01, 2006, 05:31:09 pm
If ya' think I'm givin' up on you, you're crazy.
I f you think I don't love you, then you're just wrong...Just wait, just wait ;D ;D


Peace,
Kelly

                                       (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/angels4kelly/ERIC02-1.png)

                                       
                                     (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g142/angels4kelly/angelBW.jpg)
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: whatcanI tell ya? on October 01, 2006, 06:39:09 pm
Hello Micheal,
You have to hang in there and be strong for your partner, it actually may seem a lot harder that it sounds, but you can do it. Cheer up, cheer him up.  Make the most of the day. I have you in my prayers. I hope he gets better soon. Be strong, you can do it and yes when the time comes........you ll be fine. I know that . Take care.

Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: Matty the Damned on October 01, 2006, 10:42:23 pm
Matty the Damned is thinking of you and your partner, Rev.

MtD
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: Eldon on October 01, 2006, 10:52:17 pm
Hello Michael, it is Eldon.

I wish you and Louie the BEST through your current set of circumstances. Please DO consult with your Doctor to see what it is that he/she can DO in order to help Louie have the ability to keep some food on his stomach. Continue to love and support him just as you have been doing and give him plenty of reassurance.



Make the BEST of each Day!
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: JohnOso on October 02, 2006, 01:15:12 am
Rev,

I'm so sorry to hear about the troubles that you are having.  I know you're being strong for Louie and taking the best care of him possible.  Try to get him to take small frequent sips/drinks/gulps of liquids, preferably something like Gatorade that will replace all those lost electrolytes.

Eating chicken noodle soup almost sounds too simple to do any good, but it can be a godsend if he's able to keep any down.  The important thing is to get him to take something packed with nutrients....perhaps those nutritional drinks like Boost or Ensure (even watered down if they're too "rich" for him right now).

Add my name to the "thinking of you" list.  Actually thinking of you both.

Take care,
John
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: almalibre on October 02, 2006, 02:48:12 am
 
 Hi !

  God, it's tremendous the stress you having now and for the most all the suffering you going trough now, hang in there  and don't think of what's next in the process just things are going to happend the way they have to...
    I will pray for you and your partner and hope for his recovering and for you  my dear.
   I admire what your doing for him, I just don't know if a ever would be strong enough to do it. I pay may respect to you and all y best wishes are attached to my pray.

         
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: bobik on October 02, 2006, 01:23:57 pm
Dear Rev,

You two must be having a hard time. I don't know if your partner is as afraid as you are, you don't write about that. It is all so confronting to see this happening to someone you love. And it is hard not to think about oneself in this kind of situations.

I just wish you two lots of strength!

Hug

Coen
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: Teresa on October 02, 2006, 01:49:45 pm
Rev,

Keeping both of you in my prayers.

Hugs
Teresa
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: allopathicholistic on October 02, 2006, 09:37:22 pm
(http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l153/aycm8620/PAWY.jpg)
Love and strength one day at a time honey.
Title: Re: Partner Update
Post by: poobear on October 03, 2006, 06:52:50 pm
Rev,
    Sorry ti hear that Louie is not doing so well right now.  Try and stay positive for the both of you.  I know that is hard right now but he can rebound back from this.  The two of you are in my prayers.  Keep us up to date as to how Louie is doing.  Great Big Hug to you and Louie.   Rachel