Meds

Brian has been in bed since last Tuesday 6/14 night. Wenesday 6/15 morning he threw up quite a lot, was having some kind of convulsions or shakes, and couldn't talk for most of the day. He was very weak. Hospice checked him out. The doctor said he expected this.  Since then, Brian has only been waking up every 6 hours (when I wake him) for his medicine. He is still quite weak. I got him up for a bath today and he was able to walk, with help, to the tub. He fell asleep as soon as he was in the water. I got him back out after I cleaned him, the room, and changed the sheets. He said it was too much work and didnt want to do it again. I think he fell asleep before his head hit the pillow. 

Brian has been quite irritated everytime I wake him for his medicine.  This morning I put a dissolvable zofran under his tongue and he grabbed it out of his mouth and threw it on the floor. I asked him why he did that and he replied "It wasn't  working"

Once yesterday Brian refused to take his medicing at all. I told him "you can take it orally, or Ill give it to you anally"

He was very willing after that. LOL

Hangin' in there

Things are pretty much the same.  He sleeps most of the time but it seems like every two or three days he "wakes up" and wants to go do "something".  Hospice says this is normal.  He is still loosing weight.  Hospice is still coming every 2-3 days.  He has been complaining about it being hard to breath over the last few days.

He is very stubborn and we have to watch him because we never know what the "something" he will want to do, is.  One time, he wanted to go drive his truck.. sometimes he wants to get out some power tools, or try to mow.  You can see why this would be an issue if you can imagine Brian as an 80 year old man on a lot of narcotic pain meds who can't work his phone or the remote most of the time.  Which also explains why he gets so angry and frustrated because he has always been so capable and driven.  It's hard not to feel sorry for him, which also makes him mad.

Sunday (the 12th) around 4pm he woke up and wanted to go through his things and tell me who gets what.  Yesterday he wanted to start telling me what to write in letters he wants to leave for some people.  He only got through one and a half before he fell asleep.  We finished another one today but he was confused so we will have to revisit that one.  Ill keep helping push him to finish them because I know its important to him.

Today his hospice nurse asked him if she can come back Thursday and he told her "only if you bring me a new truck and an airplane"  He says some pretty funny stuff..  Im thinking I may try to post more often and share some of the off the wall stuff he does.  It keeps things interesting for sure!

Here are some examples that happened about a month or so ago:

He has these plush pillows you can microwave.  He went into the kitchen and put them in the freezer, closed the door, then started pushing buttons.  I asked him what he is doing, he said "warming up my pillows" I opened the door and told him that won't work.  He said, "What, the freezer won't heat my stuff up anymore?  Thats just great!"  Then he stomped out of the kitchen.

Brian went into the kitchen and got 2 hot dogs out and put them on a plate.  He put the plate with the hot dogs into the fridge and closed the door.  He then walked over to the microwave, opened the door, then looked at me and asked "Where's my hotdogs?"

A couple weeks ago Brian was very persistent about getting his suit tailored.  While the lady was pinning his pants she asked "So what's the special occasion?"  Brian replied "My Funeral"
He got a real kick out of that one.. I started laughing and crying at the same time because it hurt but it was SO BRIAN!

Genetics Results

U Of M Cancer Genetics Clinic Med Inn Building 1500 E Medical Center Dr Spc 5830 Floor 3 Reception B Ann Arbor MI 48109-5830 Telephone: 734-763-2532 Fax: 734-763-7672

Cancer Genetics Results Note: I had the opportunity to speak with the wife of our mutual patient Brian Brookman, by phone on 6/6/2016 to review his genetic test results. Mr. Brookman was originally seen for genetic counseling in the Multidisciplinary Pancreas Clinic due to his personal history of pancreatic cancer diagnosed at age 45, which raised concern for hereditary risk. Genetic testing was ordered, the PancNext panel test through Ambry GeneticLaboratories which includes analysis of the following genes: APC, ATM, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDKN2A, EPCAM, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, PMS2, STK11, and TP53. This testing revealed a pathogenic mutation in the ATM gene (c.3802delG). The remaining genes of this panel were negative with no mutations detected. A copy of his test results accompanies this letter. ATM gene mutations are inherited in a dominant manner, meaning that all first degree relatives (parents, children and siblings) of a person with an ATM mutation are at 50% risk of inheriting the family mutation. Other relatives are at a risk dependent on their degree of relation.  Now that the family mutation has been identified, predictive genetic testing can be offered to Mr. Brookman’s at risk family members.  If we can be of help in identifying local genetic services for Mr. Brookman's family members, they are encouraged to contact our office.  Mr. Brookman's wife shared that Mr. Brookman has been set up with hospice services given the advanced state of his disease. She and their daughter are interested in a follow up visit to this clinic to further discuss the implications of this finding later this fall. They will be contacted to set up an appointment.  I, Jenae Osborne, provided the genetic counseling and communicated the medical recommendations. Ordering physician Dr. Diane Simeone was available for consult. Please contact our office should you have any questions.  Thank you again for your referral. Sincerely, Jenae Osborne, MS, CGC Certified Genetic Counselor