Enough COVID - Brandon approved

It finally happened.  Brandon has had enough of this COVID thang.  Brandon said no more news about COVID.  If it comes on the TV or the radio, he wants it turned off.  I don't blame him, I feel the same way.  It means for Brandon that he still is not back at work, and I think that is really wearing on him.  It seems like it will never go away.  We have tried to make the best of it by staying vaccinated, wearing masks inside as this new strain spreads.  Brandon goes through masks about every 15 minutes, so I take a large supply when we are out.    

This last weekend Brandon ran out of Epidiolex (the CBD oil through prescription).  I didn't know we were out until Saturday.  But I couldn't get it refilled until Monday.  To cover Brandon through the weekend we used Charlotte's Web.  Normally that would be okay because the dosage and the strength are fairly similar.  Apparently, in reality it is not the same.  We found 3 additional doses on Monday, so Brandon only missed 2 doses on Sunday.  That was enough to really affect him.  He has been sad and weepy ever since.  A lesson for mom - don't miss any CBD doses.  Feel free to send him happy messages on Facebook as he is upstairs as I write this snuggled up in bed, watching old movies and saying he is sad. Sometimes we all just need a few days in bed.  

This was not a great week for Brandon to not be 100%.  Brandon and I want to kick 2021 down the road and lead on to a "fab 2022".  I haven't taken you all on the roller-coaster ride we have been on for the last 6 months.  But will be glad to get this behind us.  

In July, Brandon had a cat scan done to check his COVID lungs.  I am glad to say the groundglass opacities that are related to COVID have greatly improved based on this last scan.  But noted on the scan was nodular contour liver parenchyma.  The results had a recommendation that Brandon get tested for liver function to see if there is any evidence of liver damage.  Brandon was tested and the direct tests for liver were okay, but some other blood tests were off.  Because the scan indicated nodules, I sent the test to MD Anderson to review.  Brandon's cancer could spread from the stomach to either the lungs or the liver.  MD Anderson has been watching these areas closely for possible spread. After their review, MD Anderson wanted to do a specific liver scan.  We went back to MD Anderson in October.  Everyone was thinking that we probably would not find anything on the scan.  The good news is there was no cancer detected on the liver, but the scan came back suggesting that Brandon has cirrhosis of the liver.  MD Anderson wanted Brandon to find a good GI doctor to really review the records and determine whether this is a correct diagnosis.  We found a good GI doctor who specializes in the liver.  They ran more blood tests and stool samples.  The liver tests again came out fine, but more tests came out with some abnormal results.  Some could be related to the liver.  So, this week Brandon went in for a fibro-scan to determine if there is liver damage.  And this morning at 6:00 am (ugh) Brandon had an endoscopy to check for any possible cancer in the stomach.  Unfortunately, they were unable to find the liver during the fibro-scan except for 1 time (they need 10).  I am not expecting any results from the fibro scan.  For the endoscopy, Brandon had one polyp removed during the endoscopy with several biopsies just to check the area for any cancer.  It is anticipated that the biopsies will not show any cancer, but these biopsies were a check just in case.  I think we all agree that from the blood tests the liver is functioning.  If that is the case, I think we will just monitor the liver and if anything changes do more tests.  It is not the definitive answer I wanted, but with this issue I am going to have to trust the doctors and let it go.  We will see if there is any recommended follow-up.  

The question I keep getting asked is why is there possible liver damage.  Cirrhosis is normally seen within people who drink heavily.  After looking up all of Brandon's medicine, it appears it can be the seizure medications, including epidiolex (CBD oil).  So hoping this is a nothing issue because I don't think we can choose between having a bad liver or having bad seizures.  Not great choices.  Sitting on this one for now. 

I know I normally don't write about me, but my health has been part of the roller-coaster at the same time.  My knee had been deteriorating for a while.  Tony tells me it has easily been over a year or more.  But it finally got so bad that I really couldn't drive.  I need to drive for work.  I made an appointment with an orthopedic physician after I found out from my primary care doctor that I had a torn meniscus. After meeting with the doctor there were some other small things that needed repair as well.  We decided to go forward with surgery.  The surgery was successful, and I am now doing physical therapy to help with the healing process.  The main thing now is being able to walk up the stairs to help Brandon.  I can do that now, but it is still a slow process.  

I was also due for my yearly exam with my ob/gyn.  I hadn't been during COVID.  Unfortunately, my pap was abnormal.  In December I had to go back and have two biopsies in the cervix and uterus.  A little scary as the pap results were unusual.  The good news.  The two biopsies were normal.  They will monitor with another pap next year.  But all good news.  

I have no idea how I have managed to work and deal with both of our health issues in the last 6 months.  But I am glad to say we are done.  Hopefully Brandon will be happy after Christmas and to start our fab 2022.  The goal is to go to Liverpool and London in 2022.  We are both ready for a celebration trip passing year 3 cancer free.  

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.  I know I am thankful to have Brandon hanging with me over the holidays.  We are planning a few nights watching Christmas movies.  We are both looking forward to a "fab 2022".  And remember - all you need is love.